Get the stock all prepped, sanded that is. Stain it and let sit for a couple hours and then rub off the excess. Did I say slobber the stain on.
Yes. Once you have whatever excess there is rubbed off and the finish is pretty much an overall color then you take some boiled linseed oil and mix it half and half with mineral spirits. Slobber this mix all over the stock. Wait another couple hours and wipe off the excess and then rub it down with 0000 steel wool till its nice and smooth. Repeat that whole process again. Then put on the third coat and leave sit overnight and steel wool it off the next day. The take some of the Linseed oil and put a small amount on the palm of your hand and start rubbing it in. Rub it till your hand becomes hot from rubbing. Careful so you don't get blisters, I have done that. If you need to you can put more on the palm of your hand but this should be a very small amount each time. Let it sit overnight to dry. The next day you can steel wool it off again and start over with a very small amount on your palm. I would take my palm and put it over the mouth of the can and tip it upside down and turn it back over. The amount you have on your palm is the right amount then.
I repeat this for about a week. Put it on, Steel wool it off. After a week you will notice the finish starting to build up to a very think finish. Once you have reached that point your done with the large part of the job. After that I would about once or twice a year steel wool it off and then give it a very light coat. Keeps it looking good for years and make most of the small scratches from hunting go away till the next season. Give you something to do in the winter when you get bored.
This is the method I used for years custom building traditional muzzle loaders and refinishing old SXS's. Not the most water proof in the world but still does a great job and looks great if taken care of every year.
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