Just got these and both are really dense with almost no pores . Thinking about a G33 in 30-06 with the bolt handle engraved and light scroll in the corners of the Blackburn. May be nuts but am think about using the crazy one to stock one of my Speedy built SS sporters. The group shot I got the 5th from the left and that blank is in the stand alone pic right below with some alcohol on the surface.

some very nice looking wood there. i think i like the wood in the bottom pic best.

Yeah, I like the second blank too with the nice birds eye figureing.
With the top blank would you get better grain flow if the forend was taken to the top edge of the blank and the toe of the stock taken down as low as possible. That looks like it would improve the flow through the forarm and the grip area.

Just my 2c.

Von Gruff.

Nice stash of termite food

I really like the 3rd from the left in the top photo. If you ever decide you don't like it, I might be a buyer.

Thanks for the comments guys! Agree with moving the pattern down and will only take wood off of one side.

CAS did you get my PM?

Several nice blanks in the top two photos.

Anyone who would consider the bottom black with the burl clusters in the grip and rear action areas needs to seriously rethink their knowledge of proper grain structure for a rifle stock.

Yes, looks and function are two different animals!

quote:

Originally posted by jim62:
Several nice blanks in the top two photos.

Anyone who would consider the bottom black with the burl clusters in the grip and rear action areas needs to seriously rethink their knowledge of proper grain structure for a rifle stock.

i have no knowledge about wood for a rifle stock as i'm very new to this type of thing. i just go by what looks best to me at the moment. up until now i've just bought factory guns and thought nothing else of it.

quote:

Originally posted by Pez:

quote:

Originally posted by jim62:
Several nice blanks in the top two photos.

Anyone who would consider the bottom black with the burl clusters in the grip and rear action areas needs to seriously rethink their knowledge of proper grain structure for a rifle stock.

i have no knowledge about wood for a rifle stock as i'm very new to this type of thing. i just go by what looks best to me at the moment. up until now i've just bought factory guns and thought nothing else of it.

Layout is very important.

Yes it is!!! This is why certain blanks are chosen for specific projects. I will never be able to use all of the blanks I have it is a sickness lol . The sick stuff can be a little of everything----like this for example which is going to finished in a couple of weeks:

and what is exactly is meant by layout? and what is meant by grain and figure? i think i know what grain means but am not sure.

Ok ---this is my Smith who my other Smith Speedy took an in process pic of with another rifle of mine that was completed a while ago and is my safe.

This is a very good example of layout(trying to find the blank pic!!) and grain flow--note the wrist and the fore end grain sweeps slightly upward.

quote:

Originally posted by Boss Hoss:
Ok ---this is my Smith who my other Smith Speedy took an in process pic of with another rifle of mine that was completed a while ago and is my safe.

This is a very good example of layout(trying to find the blank pic!!) and grain flow--note the wrist and the fore end grain sweeps slightly upward.

thanks! i'm starting to understand more. i think that is some very nice looking wood too. how strong is maple compared to walnut? i'm getting a very powerful big bore built and i'm thinking of getting a maple stock for it.

Top pic, far right, looks best to me.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:

quote:

it is a sickness

Good to see that you finally admitted you are a sick man.

Yes very and there is no cure except the next one!