I'm helping a buddy spruce up a .22 for his son. He shortened the stock & barrel, and recrowned it.

Now he wants to refinish the stock. It's birch. I only tried to refinish one birch stock and it would not take color well.

Any suggestions on a finish and or dye that will add some color. He is after a walnut look/color.

I usually use the Spar Varnish type finish myself.

For maple and birch stocks I use an aniline dye/stain rather than coventional wood stain. You can get it from Woodworkers Supply. http://www.woodwokerssupply.com

Use a water base stain that will soak into the wood and use a high gloss finish...It is hard to use stain with a sanded in finish if you have not been doing it for years....