I can't say that it is "the best" but I've had good luck with the weather seal stuff sold at DIY stores for pre treating window frames and stone work. It is supposed to sink right in and stabilise things. When I free floated my Sako,I put a couple of coats on, and then once everything was dry followed it up with a couple of coats of poly varnish. It has held up to the British weather fine!:-)
Posts: 5684 | Location: North Wales UK | Registered: 22 May 2002
Minwax "Wood Hardener" it is made to harden and stiffen punky wood on old houses. It penetrates like crazy and makes the wood as hard as a minister's pr!(k.
It does not leave a pretty finish, but it is waterproof and dense.
Yeah, Ray is right again. You have to get rid of that cheap thermoplastic bedding that Winchester factory rifles come with and pillar bed anyway if you want the best. While you're at it just coat the barrel channel with epoxy and use a layer or two of electrician's tape on the barrel, beyond the shank, to free float it, and sand the epoxy smooth in the barrel channel. Epoxy is the best sealant, shorenuf.
------------------ Good huntin' and shootin', Bwanawannabe, Daktari Ron