WNY_Whitetailer,
I stripped the rifle yesterday. It's just a matter of removing the stock and forearm, and spraying on the Citri-strip. I let it set up for two hours, and then used a fine( tooth brush like) brass brush on it, mostly to clean out the checkering. After brushing it, I sprayed it again, and let it set for another hour. I wiped off the stripper, and then washed it down with paint thinner. I then used the paint thinner with wet and dry sand paper, starting with 200 grit, then 320, 400, and finally 600. Making sure to avoid the checkering, and also to keep the wood and paper wet with the paint thinner. I let it dry overnight, and started filling the grain today. I use the 6oo grit paper dipped in a 4-1 mixture of Tung oil and paint thinner. This get the Tung oil deep into the wood and uses the sandings to fill the grain. I keep adding more Tung oil to the finish, while letting it dry between sandings. I'll do this for about six sandings, and then apply straight Tung oil with lambs wool, and brushed in the checkering. You can also apply this with your hand, applying pressure to the stock as applying the oil and keeping the finished strokes with the grain. I add enough coats to get glass like look to the stock, but you can stop when it meets with your favorite level of gloss. Another nice touch, is to stain the checkering dark, before you start sanding with the oil mixture. It will make the checkering stand out nicely.
Don
