fruitloop Posted May 29, 2011 Report Share Posted May 29, 2011 hi all just a question is silver birch eny good for a gun stock as i have a bit avalible to me and was thinking about making a wood stock for my shotgun from it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted May 29, 2011 Report Share Posted May 29, 2011 No real reason why not, but walnut is obviously the preferred timber of choice . It will also make the gun an acquired taste and therefore devalue it if you ever wish to sell. Birch trees are usually smaller in section and I'm guessing this may be the reason that it is usually worked as a laminate for applications like (rifle) gun stocks. Also, I don't think it is as stable as the better hardwoods like oak, elm, walnut, beech etc so you may find it tends to warp and twist if it is a lump rather than laminated. If I was looking for a paler wood I'd go for beech, but as you've got the birch available then give it a try. The worst scenario is you waste a lot of time and it's still cost you zip. Just remember if it was a great timber to use for this there would be loads around . Just don't throw away your original gun stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted May 29, 2011 Report Share Posted May 29, 2011 Wood to metal fit is very important in a shotgun in order for it to withstand use. Bare this in mind unless your quite a craftsman 0.25 mm is a lot!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted May 29, 2011 Report Share Posted May 29, 2011 I am no expert but having cut down a large silver birch in my garden this year ,it is a very light wood with very little in the way of grain I think it would be split quite easy you would be better going for some kind of hard wood in my opinion or perhaps something like cherry if you can get some that would take on some nice colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitloop Posted May 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2011 thanks for the info chaps i dont think i will use it .but ill find some thing to make out of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RED BEARD Posted May 29, 2011 Report Share Posted May 29, 2011 hows it going stranger,long time no see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitloop Posted May 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2011 aup red good to hear from you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 make sure its seasoned for a decent length of time, if you put it on whilst its still drying out it will shrink and the fit will look terrible, i would be interested to see this, good luck, nothing like dissapearing in to the shed for a few hours ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitloop Posted June 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2011 its been in the workshop for 1-2 years now how long to seson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted June 9, 2011 Report Share Posted June 9, 2011 It'll make a nice, light (in weight) stock but make sure it's sealed well as birch will expand, shrink and crack if exposed to too much dampness, unlike beech which is very stable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hafod Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 all of the swedish rolling block black powder rifles i have seen , husquvarna made rifles in particluar used birch for their stock blanks , and some finnish /russian made mosin nagants are birch stocked as well i think . look on the bright side if it does not work you end up with fire wood AND WELL SEASONED BIRCH DOES THROW OUT A HELL LOT OF HEAT .LOL regards andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPARKIE Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 you could then burn ya veggie sausages on the fire again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitloop Posted August 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 it still in the work shop seasoning was checking the moisture content the other day and its at 12% acording to the meter. sparkie was a good weekend looking forwad to doing it agane :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 I am no expert but having cut down a large silver birch in my garden this year ,it is a very light wood with very little in the way of grain I think it would be split quite easy you would be better going for some kind of hard wood in my opinion or perhaps something like cherry if you can get some that would take on some nice colour. +1 it isn't even any good for firewood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 splits, and takes an age to season with the bark on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitloop Posted August 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 splits, and takes an age to season with the bark on it is planked up in 2 1/2" as i made a chainsaw mill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Pelt Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 Has been done for air rifles : http://www.airgunforum.ca/forums/topic47236.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cumbrian shooter Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 No teason y it wouldnt work after all it is a hard wood tree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitloop Posted November 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 thanks for the replyes when i get chance im going to give it a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.