[BigG]

I was reading the .458 Mag Colt-Sauer rifle has a Bubinga wood stock. What in heck is that? Does anybody else use Bubinga wood? TIA

[gun-fucious]

BUBINGA
(Guibortia demeusei)
Also known as Akume, Ebana,Waka, & Okweni
Highly figured pieces & fancy veneers are referred
to as Kevazingo.
This dense, fine wood is especially useful in the
making of musical instruments, and is occasionally
referred to as "African Rosewood," which is a misnomer,
but truthful comparison as to the quality._ The finest
logs come from the African Gaboon are are converted
into the veneers for panelling, inlay work, and fancy
turnery.
The beautiful red color does not degrade over time.
All wood is kiln dried and shelf aged to excellent working
quality._
Workability requires sharp tools, and surface will
polish to a high luster._ It is expecially fine wood for
beginning woodworkers because there are almost no
defects.

[Abe]

BigG:

Bubinga is a beautiful hardwood that comes from West Africa. It is sometimes referred to as African Rosewood. I am familiar with it as I build stringed instruments as a hobby (in addition to shooting.) It is an underrated tonewood in the face of true Rosewoods like Brazillian and Indian. That's not to mean it isn't a good tonewood as it is. It's just not as popular as Brazillian and Indian Rosewood. This actually works out quite well as it’s still relatively cheap in comparison to them. I have a Gibson acoustic guitar that has Bubinga back and sides. It looks and sounds great. I’m sure that it would make a beautiful stock, forend, or hand grips on any rifle or pistol. Even in relatively plain grades it has very interesting figure that displays a lot of movement as you work it in the light.

I’ve actually been playing with the idea of building a stock out of some wood other than the standard walnut that you see so much of. I’ll probably get to it after I finish up the several banjo necks I have in process.

- Abe

[cratz2]

I am familiar with it as I build stringed instruments as a hobby

Not to drift the focus but that is sooo cool. I wanted to build my own electric back in the 80s and I helped a friend set up the bridge and intonation on a fixed bridge a few years ago. Sounds simple but it was a fairly daunting task to do from scratch, can't imagine filing the intonation from a bone bridge or somesuch...

Fine instrument builders have my utmost respect. I have a Spanish classical guitar that fascinates me as much as any gun I've ever taken apart - all the small inlay and handcut trim pieces... unbelievable.

Well, I'll turn off my rant mode now. ;)

[Detritus]

same wood (under name of African Rosewood) used for many of the factory grips on Ruger single action pistols (some have walnut instead). i beleive that a set of very highly polished panels of this wood are used on the "50th aniversary" Single six.

so if you want to see what it looks like "in the flesh" so to speak, go take a look at a Blackhawk or Vaquero

[stellarpod]

What Abe said.

My Gibson CL35 has bubinga sides and back and is absolutely stunning to look at. (in better hands than mine it's also stunning to listen to :D )

I've often thought bubinga would make a spectacular rifle stock. It's got to be relatively stable material or I don't think they'd be making relatively expensive guitars out of the stuff.

stellarpod

[BigG]

I does look spectacular on that 458 Mag. :evil: