Update #1
So I started my vacation last Tuesday, my video lights were ordered 7 Dec., shipped last Monday the 9th and they have not arrived yet. I will not start working on the stock until I am able to document it via video. Lights are due to be delivered tomorrow by 8:00 PM.
11 days for Amazon to deliver a package is just about unheard of these days...It has delayed my job but I hope to start on the stock tomorrow. Assuming the lights arrive early enough.
2 things I found out about the Scout that you may already know but surprised me some.
1- The stock is pillar bedded from the factory, at least mine is.
I took the rifle to the indoor range yesterday just to get a baseline of how it shot before I did anything. I didn't keep any targets or measure any groups but it grouped well albeit at 50'.
So this evening I removed the factory rear sight since I am going to use the Skinner aperature sight. I removed the stock so I could hold the barreled action in the vice, the stock screws were not very tight which surprised me a bit. Looking at the stock inletting I found, to my surprise, that the action rested on pillars.
2 - The factory rear sight screws are metric. I guess this shouldn't have surprised me but it did. I assumed they were 6-48 when they are actually 3.5x0.6. When I ordered my sight from Skinner I also ordered two plug screws to fill the factory holes. When the man on the phone asked me what size screws I needed I sorta hesitated and he said they were most likely 6-48. I agreed and that is what they sent...they don't fit.
Staining the stock, what I found out via research: Beechwood is not the easiest wood to stain. I have never been a stainer of wood, preferring the natural look of a quality hardwood vs a stained wood. However I WILL be staining this stock red-ish as I mentioned in my original post. I purchased the aniline dyes and further research suggested using the aniline dye followed by a thin sealing coat of #1 cut of shellac follow that with a Gel wiping stain.
I have shellac flakes and alcohol to make the #1 cut, I purchased the gel stain. So I'm ready to take the plunge. My concern is getting below the factory "walnut" stain. I will be rasping/filing below much of it but the areas that I will only be sanding give me some concern. I hope sanding alone in those areas will take me below the factory stain so my red stain will be even without any walnut stain darkening some areas up.
I will most likely not do the Ebony inlay for the forend checkering but will do the Ebony forend tip and grip cap.
I did read that though Beechwood is difficult to stain that it is easy to Ebonize (make it black w/o using stain or paint). I have ebonized oak before (using vinegar in which you put nails in and let it eat away at the nails for a few days, wipe that on oak and it gets black but the grain still shows through nicely...that is "ebonizing"). I don't want to do that to this stock. That would look too tactical IMO and would be stupid to do when using Ebony forend tip and grip cap... Plans may change but I hope not!
Look for still photos to be posted late this week and Lord knows when I will have a Video edited to my satisfaction that I am comfortable posting on YouTube...The video creation/editing will be the hardest part of this job.
