Savage 99 restore

[loadnplenty]

I picked up this rifle a week or so ago here on the OTD for the purpose of having a decent project to fill my hobby time up. 1950 model 99R chambered in 250-3000. As you can see most of the finish is gone. The rifle has the original wood as indicated by the matching serial numbers. The stock also has cut checkering, not pressed.

 

[D_Max]

That one should clean up just fine from what I see

 

[loadnplenty]

First course of action is the wood. Butt stock has a crack/split on each side of the wrist. Other then 69 years worth of handling marks it otherwise decent shape for its age.

 

[loadnplenty]

As for now the stock and forearm are soaking in acetone to help remove the finish and any oil soaked in the wood Stephens the wrist. I want it dried out for the epoxy to take hold and make the repair rock solid.

 

[loadnplenty]

That one should clean up just fine from what I see

I believe it will also. I am a quarterbote fan. So my plan is to hunt with this one.

 

[7pt62THOR]

Sub'd.

 

[loadnplenty]

After a good soaking in acetone it’s time to fill the split. Couple choices for filling it and making it bond. After getting inside with a dremel to help open the split up on the bottom side I find out there is some wood rot from the heavily oil soaked area.

Knowing no matter what I use if it’s rotten it’s still will not be super strong. With this in mind I opted for the titebond for ease of application and clean up. Added some saw dust from tenstock to mix to hopefully help add a little color. If it splits again it will just end up with a cross bolt in the wrist. Now to let it sit up and cure and what happens.

 

[loadnplenty]

After soaking in acetone and sanding the stock still has some stains. The split and glued area even though sand smooth sticks out a sore thumb. But at this rate I am looking for a stock I can hunt with, not adore.

 

[loadnplenty]

Alkanet root oil is soaking in.

Yet this other stock is so very tempting!!!

 

[loadnplenty]

Two of Formbys low gloss rubbed in, including the checkering. This stuff is thin so two coats won’t build up and clog the finish. Steel wool rub down between coats. Checkering has been covered and third coat of Formbys has been applied.

I want the stock to show the 68 years worth of hunting scars. So the idea is not to remove all the imperfections. Dulling it down in between coats will help keep the aged look to go along with all the character marks.