Gun stock wax

[GFB]

I use Renaissance. It’s the only wax I’ve used so not any basis of comparison for other products. Happy with it.

 

[87KJH]

 

[Lonegle57]

Third vote for Renaissance. Can use on the metal as well. A little goes a long way, have had a 200 ml can for over 20 years.
Also use it on the custom knives I have that rarely get used.

 

[greg vess]

Ballistol

A gunsmith talked me into a bottle of that and gave me some individual wipes but I had no clue it would work for wooden stocks. This is what he gave me. Is this what you are referring too.

 

[LARGO9]

Both Ballistol and Tung oil are used for gun stock finishes, but they serve different purposes and offer different advantages.
Tung Oil:

• Finish: Tung oil is a drying oil that penetrates deep into the wood grain, providing a durable and water-resistant finish.
• Protection: It seals and protects the wood, preventing moisture absorption and enhancing its natural beauty.
• Aesthetics: Tung oil can enrich and accentuate the natural wood tone and grain, offering a rich, natural look.
• Durability: While not as abrasion-resistant as polyurethane finishes, tung oil is more durable than boiled linseed oil and easy to refresh or repair.
• Application: Tung oil is applied in thin coats, and may require several applications to achieve the desired finish.

Ballistol:

• Lubricant and Protectant: Ballistol is primarily known as a multi-purpose lubricant, cleaner, and protectant.
• Gun Stock Care: It can be used to maintain, protect, and rejuvenate wooden gun stocks, especially in humid climates.
• Moisture Protection: Ballistol helps prevent wood from drying out and can seal and protect stocks from humidity.
• Restoration: It can bring out the grain and luster of older wood.
• Note: Some users suggest that Ballistol might just provide a temporary shine and may not be the best long-term finish for high-grade stocks, recommending tung oil or boiled linseed oil for a more permanent and durable finish.

In summary:

• For finishing a high-grade gun stock and achieving a durable, water-resistant protective layer, tung oil is generally considered a better choice.
• Ballistol is useful for maintaining and protecting wooden stocks, especially in humid conditions, but may not offer the same level of long-term finish and protection as tung oil.

Therefore, if your priority is a high-grade, durable, and long-lasting finish, tung oil is likely the better option for your gun stock. If you're looking for a product for general gun stock maintenance and protection, especially from moisture, Ballistol can be a suitable choice.

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[LARGO9]

Haven't you already put a polyurethane finishes on your new stock?? If you have you might as well use a paste wax, any one will do

 

[Hayata]

A gunsmith talked me into a bottle of that and gave me some individual wipes but I had no clue it would work for wooden stocks. This is what he gave me. Is this what you are referring too.

View attachment 9036549

That's the one.

Can also use on leather slings.

 

[BHPSteel]

But as LARGO9 points out, a tung oil finish (and to a lesser degree, paste wax) is very different from treating with Ballistol.

Tung oil soaks in and polymerizes to a hard material that stops water from getting into the grain of the wood for a long time. Paste wax hardens too, but it never gets as hard as fully cured tung oil. It works the way that linseed oil does.

Ballistol just soaks in and repels water the same way oil does, but it's better than just oil. On the other hand, it does dry/evaporate out in time.

 

[Fatal_Bert]

I use Birchwood. Is there a cheaper option? Probably. But spending $15 on a bottle that will easily wax at least 15 stocks probably 20 or more easily, so what exactly are you trying to save? Pennies?

If there's an objectivity better option I'd be interested as well, but Birchwood Casey has always done the trick for me.

 

[cmshoot]

I have rifle stocks that I finished with boiled linseed oil that I drag through Ohio deer season every year, for years. I don’t wax ‘em.