
Full Answer
What is a laminated gunstock made of?
Our Laminated Gunstocks are Composed of 1/16" Birch Veneers Which Have Been Completely Saturated With Colored Dye, Then Hydraulically Pressed and Bonded Together Using a Superior Resin Adhesive. This Process Results in a Stock That Is:
What is a Boyds laminated gunstock?
One really cool feature about the Boyds laminated gunstocks is that the color in each individual layer of wood is actually infused into the wood fibers themselves. The color doesn’t sit on the surface, it goes clear through, front-to-back, each wood laminate layer.
Why choose a wood laminated stock for your rifle?
For those of you who might be either too young or too new to the world of firearms, the colorful wood laminated stocks you see in the catalogs of literally every rifle manufacturer are a fairly recent development. Prior to 1987, there was not a single wood laminated stock being offered by an American production rifle manufacturer.
What is the history of wood laminate stock?
Prior to 1987, there wasn’t a single American manufacturer that offered a wood laminate stock. Jack Barrett and his company, Rutland Plywood, changed this in the mid-1980s. Utilizing special epoxies, the company layered extremely thin veneers of birch to create stock blanks. In many cases, stock blanks consisted of 30 to 36 1/16” veneers.

What is a laminate stock made of?
Traditionally, stocks are made from wood, generally a durable hardwood such as walnut. A growing option is the laminated wood stock, consisting of many thin layers of wood bonded together at high pressures with epoxy, resulting in a dense, stable composite.
Are laminate stocks good?
Bottom line: A laminate is just flat-out better at being a gunstock than the traditional one-piece chunk of wood. Not only is it much stronger and stable, it has a tactile warmth about it that no synthetic can match. It feels like wood because it is wood. Me, I like them as much as ever.
What finish is used on gun stocks?
The best finish to put on a gun stock is an oil finish. It is easy to apply, durable and can be used on finished and unfinished wood. Oil finish is also water-proof, prevents UV light from damaging the wood, and can last for several years.
What is a laminated gun stock?
A: There are many benefits of a laminate gun stock, which comprises many layers of hardwood pressed together using heat, pressure and. resin to form a uniform material. It allows for an internal and external stock design that is far stronger than any standard factory wood or plastic stock on offer.
Why is walnut used for Gunstocks?
Walnut is hard, dense, and resilient. It resists warping, suffers little shrinkage and isn't prone to splitting, which is important when working with something as lively as a shotgun. It's easy to work and takes fine chequering exceptionally well.
Are all Boyds stocks laminated?
Every Boyds gunstock is constructed of top-grade laminated hardwood that's dried to exacting specifications to ensure rigidity and stability.
Can you use Minwax on a gun stock?
0:287:46How To- MinWax Wipe on Poly Gun Stock application Part 4 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just holding it by the stock. Get the polyurethane rubbed in and then i'm going to do a veryMoreAnd just holding it by the stock. Get the polyurethane rubbed in and then i'm going to do a very light coat i'm probably going to be putting.
What is Gunstock stain?
Gunstock is an interior wood stain color in our Brown & Tan wood stain color family. Great when used to stain wood cabinets, wood furniture, restored wood floors or even interior trim, it is sure to look beautiful in your next interior project.
What is Tru-Oil finish?
Tru-Oil is a polymerized oil, which is a fancy term for an oil that has been cooked to cross link the molecules and help it dry faster when exposed to air. The trick to helping that drying process is to apply very thin coats.
Is synthetic stock better than wood?
Synthetic stocks are stronger than any wood stock. They're made of a solid, thick and dense material, which will provide you with stability when you're shooting. They are also easier to mold to your shoulder, which will put the shooter in a more comfortable position and lead to a better shot.
Is laminate stronger than hardwood?
PROS – Since laminate is made from pressed wood, it is more durable and resists scratches, moisture and wear and tear.
What is a laminated shotgun?
Where gunstocks are traditionally made from a single piece of solid wood – often walnut – a laminated stock is constructed, rather than carved. The process involves layering glue-soaked wood to form one solid piece. The wooden layers are arranged with alternating grain directions and compressed.
Where are logs placed on a lathe?
The logs are placed on a lathe where they are spun at high speed against a huge blade. The logs, of course, are never perfect cylinders at the start, so the first few revolutions against the inward-moving blade come off as irregular sheets.
When did Rutland plywood change to laminate?
Jack Barrett and his company, Rutland Plywood, changed this in the mid-1980s. Utilizing special epoxies, the company layered extremely thin veneers of birch to create stock blanks. In many cases, stock blanks consisted of 30 to 36 1/16” veneers.
How long do you cut logs for veneer?
Logs are first debarked and cut to length — about 40 inches. These log sections are then placed in a huge steam room for a couple of days where they soften and become easier to machine. Next comes the turning process that actually produces the veneers.
Is laminated stock stronger than one piece?
As touched upon earlier, laminated stocks are not only highly distinctive and colorful, but are far stronger and more stable than one-piece stocks. You can, for example, take a wood chisel, orient it parallel with the layering of the veneers, and whack it all you want with a hammer; the stock will not split along a seam.
Is laminate better than wood?
Bottom line: A laminate is just flat-out better at being a gunstock than the traditional one-piece chunk of wood. Not only is it much stronger and stable, it has a tactile warmth about it that no synthetic can match. It feels like wood because it is wood. Me, I like them as much as ever.
What color is Bob3700 oil?
Bob3700. The oil finishes are great on stocks that are either dark or have brown tones in them. Most oil finishes carry an amber tint and that is not going to mix well with a very light colored or gray laminate stock. I have one each of the above and wanted to steer clear of the oil finishes for that reason.
How to protect sharp edges of paint?
Use painter's tape to protect the sharp edges and then carefully do the edges after the rest of the stock is sanded. Auto paint stores sell a sanding pad that is thin rubber that is helpful in preventing your finger tips from exerting more pressure and sanding grooves in the finish.

Humble Beginnings
The Birth of The RPC Laminate
- By the time I became a full-time gun writer in 1970, I owned three rifles stocked in Regent laminates and wrote about why I liked them on a regular basis — a fact that did not go unnoticed by Jack Barrett. Jack was a gun enthusiast and hunter who, in the mid-1980s, had begun developing a birch laminate specifically for rifle stock applications. At that time, RPC had been i…
How The Magic Happens
- The actual process to arrive at a blank ready for shipment to firearm and stock manufacturers is a fascinating one. Logs are first debarked and cut to length — about 40 inches. These log sections are then placed in a huge steam room for a couple of days where they soften and become easier to machine. Next comes the turning process that actually produces the veneers. The logs are pl…
The Laminate Advantage
- As touched upon earlier, laminated stocks are not only highly distinctive and colorful, but are far stronger and more stable than one-piece stocks. You can, for example, take a wood chisel, orient it parallel with the layering of the veneers, and whack it all you want with a hammer; the stock will not split along a seam. I’ve also seen a laminated stock that was turned and treated by Boyds wi…