Good Woods for Bolt Action

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Dan Masshardt

Dan Masshardt

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I realize that the bolt actions are popular in the camo blanks as well as antler (which I'm working on)...

I'm wondering what woods looks great and sell well )popular.

I've made some with this walnut that looks great and had been well received, but looking to change it up too.
 

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IMHO, I actually like using wood with these particular kits, that is if I were to do one. The walnut in your pen looks like a rifle stock and is very appropriate to the bolt action kit. It looks very classy and I may consider ordering a couple of these kits, now that I've seen what you have done!

Good Job.

mtgrizzly52

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The gunstock observation makes perfect sense. Hasn't thought about that specifically. Seems like walnut is the standard although other woods are used as well.

Walnut is what I have lots of and free!
 
I have sold several with Cocobolo Rosewood that had some very wild grain patterns, I have also used Bocote with gold and Buckeye Burl with gun metal Bolt Action pens.
 
Dan,

My strategy is to build bullet pens from wood salvaged from old gunstocks. This one is from a Model 1917 military issued circa WWI. I guess it to be walnut. Not a pretty piece of wood, but has a story... The donor stock is under the pen. Not a good pic....
 

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like the idea of using old gun stocks, and would think most woods would look good specially burl
when trying to find woods that you think are nice i always try to remember its not what i like its what will sell, not always easy to do. some experimentation will be in order
 
dwarmbrodt said:
Dan,

My strategy is to build bullet pens from wood salvaged from old gunstocks. This one is from a Model 1917 military issued circa WWI. I guess it to be walnut. Not a pretty piece of wood, but has a story... The donor stock is under the pen. Not a good pic....
Click to expand...

Where would you get old gun stock reasonably priced? Military surplus?
 
I would start checking out any local gun shop that has been in business a long time. There is the chance somewhere in the back room is a box of cracked, broken or "sporterized" military stocks. Try shops that have a gunsmithing service. I have built pens from Japanese, Romanian AK-47 and a mystery mauser stock. Next weekend is a local gunshow where I will have a dozen pens made this way, so I will see if my strategy is sound....
 
Not a bolt action, but still a bullet pen, this one is from a Romanian AK-47 stock. Yes, it looks like I made a pen out of plywood.....
 

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I don't know if this came up, but Buckeye burl is a nice choice! This isn't a bolt action...but you get the idea.
 

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Here are two I recently made. Deer antler on chrome and two tone Amboyna with gun metal.

The group of three were made around Xmas an I believe it's Chechen, maple burl and BOW.

Like any kit, experiment until you find combinations you like.
 

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Dan Masshardt said:
dwarmbrodt said:
Dan,

My strategy is to build bullet pens from wood salvaged from old gunstocks. This one is from a Model 1917 military issued circa WWI. I guess it to be walnut. Not a pretty piece of wood, but has a story... The donor stock is under the pen. Not a good pic....
Click to expand...

Where would you get old gun stock reasonably priced? Military surplus?
Click to expand...

It has gotten to the point there is no such thing as a reasonable priced old gunstock. Everybody wants too much for them. To top it off most of them are not walnut, they are stained maple or birch.

I mostly use walnut for the wood on bullet pens, actually black walnut.
 
I do a lot of these, or some variation. Walnut wood with 1/2 celtic gross in aluminum for a bullseye or target.
 

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IMHO, I think that if you have an exceptional piece of timber, it will hold it's own no matter what kit you use. Having said that, now the kit finish is a different story!!!!

Dave
 
I have done a number of custom bolt action..

and I am surprised what wood seems to be requested the most.

I did a heavy cherry burl with deep BLO as a show piece and I get custom requests for that treatment more than any other (about 20% of time).

Actually, it surprised me. I am always expecting an exotic. As I feel that cherry is about one of the easiest woods to work with.
 
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