What one and why fellas. Top and bottom picks are same blanks different sides. It’s for a big bore, I’m leaning to the slab saw top right and the quarter saw bottom left, but that low centre is kinda wild and I like it too. I actually like most of them. I’m left handed :

I vote top row middle blank OR bottom row left.

Grain flow and figure dont always follow one another but its a rough guide. The upper middle has nice relatively straight grain at the head and that's important. It then flows into nice figure in the butt. Some fiddleback in there to give it character. Also the left and right side match each other fairly well. So thats my pick of the lot.

The lower Left blank might be stronger in the head (straighter grain). The left and right sides match each other even better. It will probably turn out perfectly. I just happen to like the figure of the upper middle a little better. But that is a personal choice.

The lower middle and lower right would be tricky to pull off if you ask me. Sometimes its hard to tell until you cut into them!

There are others on the forum much more knowledgeable than me. So see what they have to say.

I think one spends a lot more time looking at a stock and admiring a stock than shooting it. So, given that all are quality pieces of wood, I would pick the one that pleased me the most when I looked at it.

Lots of nice wood there!

Bottom right with the pattern flipped over left to right if possible.

quote:

Bottom right with the pattern flipped over left to right if possible.

or top row middle blank.

quote:

Originally posted by loud-n-boomer:

quote:

Bottom right with the pattern flipped over left to right if possible.

or top row middle blank.

+1 Really like that stripe and color - very traditional.

quote:

Originally posted by thirdbite:

quote:

Originally posted by loud-n-boomer:

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Bottom right with the pattern flipped over left to right if possible.

or top row middle blank.

+1 Really like that stripe and color - very traditional.

Thanks everyone I appreciate it, I’m leaning towards darker blanks but those two are really nice.

Second row middle. Love it

I choose quarter sawn (except for axe handles) A bunch of that figure will end up on the shop floor anyway

Bottom left would be my choice. Has proper layout, is a dark blank and very classy looking.

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
I choose quarter sawn (except for axe handles) A bunch of that figure will end up on the shop floor anyway

Thank you sir. Do you have a preference?

quote:

Originally posted by Mike_TX:
Bottom left would be my choice. Has proper layout, is a dark blank and very classy looking.

I’m seriously leaning that way too

Pay attention to the knots and try to avoid them..
Go for quarter sawn in any case. nice wood for the most part..

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Pay attention to the knots and try to avoid them..
Go for quarter sawn in any case. nice wood for the most part..

Thanks Ray

Double BC- please see PM

I like the top center. The two outer blanks on the top look like the have a transition fro slab to quarter somewhere in the blank. I tend to not like blanks with a lot of difference side to side. They can look like two different guns when finished and often you can't tell where they will nd up. I've bought more than one blank and had all the fancy grain mill away before starting on the stock.

I like the top center. It reminds me of the blank I chose for this:

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
I like the top center. It reminds me of the blank I chose for this:

Nice!

quote:

Originally posted by Art S.:
I like the top center. The two outer blanks on the top look like the have a transition fro slab to quarter somewhere in the blank. I tend to not like blanks with a lot of difference side to side. They can look like two different guns when finished and often you can't tell where they will nd up. I've bought more than one blank and had all the fancy grain mill away before starting on the stock.

That makes sense, thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
I choose quarter sawn (except for axe handles) A bunch of that figure will end up on the shop floor anyway

This is the guy to listen to regarding wood. I personally liked the top right, but for a 28 ga. I don’t think it would be suitable for a big bore.

If I had a closer look, I'd be able to make the best choice for you. SO..... send them all to me and I'll pick the best one for you and sent IT back! Haha

Back to reality: I'm no expert but I love them all!

Zeke

Double BC,
They are all beautiful.

Grenadier,
That rifle is lovely!

Brian

If you choose not to use the lower right blank, let me know, as I would potentially be interested in it.

I'm going with top row center, which is the same as third row center.

Well figured, yet straight grained, beautiful and strong.

Just like a good woman.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
I'm going with top row center, which is the same as third row center.

Well figured, yet straight grained, beautiful and strong.

Just like a good woman.

Probably should have gone with that one but I wanted darker so I went with bottom left. Thanks everyone for your input.

quote:

Originally posted by Double BC:

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
I'm going with top row center, which is the same as third row center.

Well figured, yet straight grained, beautiful and strong.

Just like a good woman.

Probably should have gone with that one but I wanted darker so I went with bottom left. Thanks everyone for your input.

So what are you building and who is building it for you?

Actually Im more particular on a bolt rifle than on the single shot or double in any caliber..I would insist on a Turkish, Russian, European thin shell walnut grown under harsh concition and would prefer something along the straight grain, but on a two peice stock, Ive never had any problems other than rot on some old doubles, that I had to restock..Id pick the pretty one in a two peice..Im particular as hell on a bolt rifle stock.