Finish in Checkering Removal

We will see what the trainer says. I'm not big at 5'-7" but for some reason the common modern shotgun configuration (think Remington 870) doesn't have enough drop and no matter how hard I try I have to adjust after shouldering a modern shotgun. The older styles shoulder well with no adjustment. That is what started me into a Fox Model B that I traded for the Sterlingworth.

I don't know if a bigger bead would help. My shotgunning issues are more mechanics than sight related. I think like a bullseye shooter and want to aim and then shoot. When I try to point I just end up shooting all over the place. I just need someone to help me through the fundamentals. Keep in mind I have read all that there is on how to shoot a shotgun but for some reason this is probably going to have to be learned with hands on instruction.

Thanks for the videos. The first one was quite informative. The gun camera was quite revealing. I'll finish the other in a little bit.

Fitting has been a chicken or the egg conundrum for me. I shoot so poorly it didn't seem to make sense to expend a lot of money for it. But that could be my entire issue. I suspect there is a lot more going on though.

I bought my first 12 gauge many years ago for squirrel hunting in East Texas. Too much civilization to trust a .22 . A Smith & Wesson 916T pump 3" chamber 30" full choke with double bead so I could aim. I bought the 20 gauge Winchester 1200 Modified choke for less recoil and to lend out. Turns out it was enough lighter it didn't have much less recoil. It was traded along with a Fox Model B in 16 Gauge straight up for the Sterlingworth. I'm real happy about that trade. I haven't used the 20 gauge in years. I still have the S&W. It's a 3" Goose Gun and I took my first turkey with it a couple of years ago. That and many squirrels.

I suspect the first thing we will do with the instructor is figure out what fits me. I don't know if he has access to Try guns. Reality is that the Fox seems to fit me well. At least it goes to eye level. I'll have to let the instructor see if it really fits me. I do know that I tend to roll it to the left.

I think I'll start another thread in the shotgun section when I start lessons and chronicle what happens. Good or bad. I think I'll title it 'One Box One Bird My Journey to Better Shot gunning'. I have a minor surgery on Thursday, so that won't be for a couple of weeks.

Final comments/question.

I believe it is somewhat customary to apply a wax to this type of finish (shellac). Is that correct. Is that unusual? If normal (or at least not unusual) does any one have a preference? I have Renaissance Wax and the standard Johnson Wax. Any preference? Any way I can screw that up?

Also, I had mentioned I take really poor photographs. The finished product looks better than my photos portray. What I did notice is that black walnut can be pretty plain. I'm still happy with the end result.

Thanks all for the support and help.

Thanks Doubleh.

Thank you LoneGoose.

I am stuck on doing as little removal as possible. I didn't use the acetone to pull the deepest oil out. I may end up re-doing this depending on how much oil comes back to the surface. Fortunately it will be easier if it has to be redone.

I ended up using the Johnson Paste Wax on the wood and Renaissance Wax on the metal. I wish I could take good pictures because it turned out great. Almost too nice to shoot. Nah, it will get shot.

I’m about to find out when my second surgery is. If I can do the lessons in between I’ll do that. I really need someone who knows what they are doing to help me with the fit issue. Along with everything else.

Thanks and I’ll look at The adjustable pads.

jaguarxk120 - I'm beginning to regret not using the acetone wash already. Although it is too soon to see darkening from the lower oils I suspect the oil left in the wood will make its way to the surface fairly quick. I just have this phobia about doing too much on old firearms. And it may have cost me another round of work. Fortunately it won't be as much of a project to do it again from where the stock stands right now. In the end, I may like a darker finish on this particular firearm. The gun is 95 years old.

There won't be a second surgical procedure for now. A simple in office procedure that has no recovery time. So I'm going to make arrangement for the local lessons. I'll start a new thread in the shotgun section on that process.

Thanks again for everybody's help. I think it turned out great. Maybe I can find someone who can take better pictures. The phone just doesn't cut it.