My new .44-75 Ballard

[Gunlaker]

That is beautiful Kurt! Good luck at the match.

Chris.

[Kurt]

Thank you Chris.
The wood was more then I expected for Standard wood I ordered.
But good looking wood don't make it shoot good

Kurt

[Lumpy Grits]

That is one fine look'n rifle there
I bet the wood just 'pops' in the sunlight.
Gary

[Kurt]

Yes it does Gary when I put a fresh coat of Tong oil on it, but I don't like the glassy wood on my rifles so I use the natural tong so it looks like natural wood. The wood in the pictures where taken right after a first fresh coat. The bottom with the two forearms are after the second coat and it is dry. When I take a tight paper shop towel and rub it down dry it smoothens the finish like glass and makes the wood look natural with not that gloss. I have about maybe 6 more coats to get the pores all filled.

Kurt

[Lumpy Grits]

How much time do you wait between coats?
Like the paper-towel idea.
Gary

[Kurt]

I like at least two days between light coats and wet sand with 600 grid paper.
I wouldn't use the paper towels the Wife uses I like the tougher blue shop towels that don't leave paper lint behind.

[Mike]

Good doin's. Kurt. That's a fine looking rifle. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Kurt]

Mike it took a while to get used to the center hammer behind the tang sight and it is low in the receiver makes it a little awkward to cock the hammer. But I got that worked out in fine shape but I still hear a click when I forget to pull the hammer back but the good thing is I don't flinch
Tomorrow I will shoot a 300-600 midrange match and I will use it. I don't have a load for it yet, but I have shot the brass once so it's proper for the chamber. I just put enough 2F OE powder in the case to get .200" compression and a 505 gr KAL elliptical bullet. I will see how it prints a hole through the paper. If I hit it

Kurt

[Lumpy Grits]

Kurt-Do you use any steel-wool along the way?
Figured it was the blue towels, about all I use in the garage any more.
What brand/type Tung oil do you use?
The 600 grit paper. Is the the 'wet or dry' type used in auto body work?
THX for the time.
Gary

[Kurt]

Gary.

No I don't use steel wool.
I like Formby's oil low gloss.
Gary I don't know what the body shop uses for paper.