Steps for refinishing my rifle stock?

I found my grandfather's old 1947 Remington 511 .22 rifle this summer, and it needed a lot of work. I won't get into the complete dis-assembly of the receiver and components with you (lots of rust, insect nests, pitting, etc...).

To clean up the stock, I used 0000 steel wool and mineral spirits to remove the old finish. It took some work, but cleaned up beautifully. However, I went for a different finish, and applied many coats of boiled linseed oil (1x a day for the first week, after that 1x a week for the first month, after that 1x a month for the first year). It isn't the look you've requested, but I'll be honest - it looks amazing, and I'm still in the 1x per month phase.

For dents, a wet cloth on top and a hot iron will work well - just do it before applying any finish. On my grandfather's rifle there was a worn groove from his trigger finger on the stock near the trigger guard. I left that in place - it gives the rifle some character. I wouldn't use any sandpaper at all, unless you were trying to get out a serious scratch. Even then, I'd be careful. If the wood was stained, it won't penetrate too deeply in a hardwood (is the stock walnut? Birch?) and sanding will create an obvious light spot. Even if the wood wasn't stained (many are not), sanding just a spot can leave an obvious mark determined by color variation.

Good luck with your project. I'm going to a gun show in January to pick up another rifle to restore. I enjoyed the project a lot, and once I rebuilt it it turned out to be a great shooter.

Try using "Tru oil" gunstock finish. You can get this at any sporting goods store for a reasonable price. Once you have the stock sanded down and ready for the finish try a little test spot with the Tru oil to see what the woods natural color is with a finish on it. If it's close enough keep applying thin coats of Tru oil until it's done. If for some reason the wood finish isn't correct when the Tru oil is applied you can sand off the test spot and use a wood stain to darken the wood a bit then finish it with a few thin coats of Tru oil.

You start by using a furniture finish remover.You can remove small dents with a wet cloth and iron.Can't suggest grit sand paper without seeing the stock but you want to get as smooth as possible using a sanding block to keep the edges crisp.Birchwoo Casey makes ( or used to ) a refinishing kit that has filler, Tru-Oil and a polish Ultra Sheen I think its called.That should give you the finish you want.Just follow the directions

In fact look here

http://birchwoodcasey.scaleslive.com/Finishing/Fin...

Do not sand unless there are deep gouges. A paint stripper like Jasco will remove the old finish. Fine steel wool is all that is needed. The high gloss finish can be done with wipe on poly. Apply thin coats and steel wool between coats.

I think your hand will be rough enough, im guessing it hasnt seen a women in God knows how long so I couldnt say for sure. A little spit should do the trick, make sure there is no chew in it. Just cup it firmly and give it a nice up and down motion. You'll know when its done, try not to get any it your eye...