Protecting BC stocks ?

[Lon371]

 I put new BC stock and forend on my Maxi. She is purdy now. Was wondering if any of you that hunt with BC stocks, put anything on to protect them from dings and scratches? Do you put a leather wrap on the butt stock? Where did you get it from? What about the forend? Or do I take the easy way out and keep another stock set on hand for hunting? And no I do not go out and beat it on trees and drag thru briars on purpose

 Also do you have a sling mounted on yours? Really do not want to mount sling studs on it.

 Thanks
Lonny

 

[Vic49]

I've put a coat or three of automotive clear coat with hardner on a couple of my stocks and a few for friends. It dries fast and hard as a rock. Can be hand rubbed to the sheen you want from satin to very glossy.

[cwlongshot]

I have a couple sets too. On my 25/35 and 32/20 i just installed studs  I use them pretty as they are. The wood isnt overly expensive or hard to come by. On the same token they are not chosen for days when I'm pounding the brush.   On my 45/70 I left them alone. That one it too big to go hunting. I have another with lams and still another with synthetic stocks for rainy day hunts or brush pounding days.

CW

[LONGTOM]

There are lots of stock wraps out there that will help protect your wood along with slings made to slip over the end of the stock and wrap around the barrel.
All for those that wish to keep their arms looking as good as possible.
A second set of stocks also will work but then you are forever swaping back & forth.

I look at it a little differently.
Like most, I try to take care of my guns as much as I can but I bought them to use.
If it gets beat up, that's just part of it.
I didn't buy it to look at.
If I want it to look new again I can either refinish the wood or buy new ones.
At the prices these guns are bought at I don't worry about them all that much.
Now, take a high $$$ gun, or one that is somewhat rare and mess it up and the value can drop more than what a new Handi would cost.
My old pre 64 Win model 70 Featherweight in 270 caliber that I use to hunt with for well over 30 years is still in about 85 to 90% condition.
Mess it up and it goes from a $1200.00 to $1500.00 gun to around $700.00 or less.
Enought to buy at least two Handis.
It has done its duty over the years and is now retired.
It has been replaced with an almost new Win model 70 stainless heavy barrel laminate bench rest stocked 270wsm that I only paid $460.00 for.
I still use some of my higher end guns but for everyday work I let the Handis take the knocks!!!

Just my feelings.




LONGTOM

[gcrank1]

Ultimate bad weather/knock about stocks are probably the synthetics; theyre cheap and easy enough that if you cant bear the thought of dinging the BC just swap them for a hunt. A used set of pallet wood stocks does the same if you prefer wood. The peace of mind may be better than trying to wrap it with something.
I have never dinged a stock while hunting (knock on wood), but if I did Im sure it would be the prettiest one Ive got.

[Slowhanddd]

I've hunted for over 50 yrs.My old 760 remy in 270 has been with me for over 40 of those years.Every nick and ding in it I can tell you where it came from.Memories is what hunting is for me and my guns are to use and collect those memories.I don't go out of my way to ding or scratch them,but stuff happens.I just bought a set of BC stocks and plan on putting them on a 357 maxi.I'll take care of them,but they too are to use.I use Johnson parte wax on all my wooden stocks and it does help a lot on the care.BUT if you drop it,it'll get a ding.Slow