After you clean your rifle from firing it at the range, what do you use to clean and preserve the stock?

[drpatton]

I always used mineral oil to wipe and clean my wood stocks after I cleaned the barrel. I have been told that isn't a good idea.
Mineral Oil seemed to work, but is there a better way? What do you use to wipe down your stocks?
What do you use for longer term storage?
I've read Linseed and Danish Oils are good; However, each label indicates they are to be used to remove and replace the finish on the stock. That is not what I want.

 

[fishdfly]

Renaissance Wax or Liquid Gold.

 

[ElDiablo]

Nothing

 

[Wil]

I might use Birchwood Casey's Gun Stock Wax on occasion, especially for hunting season. I don't like oil near my wood, not even Ballistol which they say is ok to use.

 

[anonymouscowherd]

My 54 has a synthetic stock

 

[Frank in Fairfield]

BLO

 

[jd24.5.48]

My Accura has a synthetic stock and I just use a damp cloth to wipe it off.

 

[Trapper53]

I have used a mix of 50% linseed oil and 50% turpentine for 60 years. I got this recipe from a Sports Afield or Outdoor Life when I was 9 years old. My dad gave me a old very rough 22 that was kept in a barn for years. So I cleaned all the rust off of the metal with stell wool and refinished the stock.
I have never liked the shiny finishes so I sand them off and use the above mixture. Apply it, rub it in for 10-15 minutes, let it sit, next day rub again for a few minutes. When I am starting with a bare stock I apply 3-5 coats this way. After that put a light coat on and rub it in every couple years. I also coat the barrel channel. It has always worked for me and my weapons see a lot of wet days here in west Oregon.

 

[drpatton]

BLO

If by BLO, you mean Boiled Linseed Oil? I have it, but the labels indicate it should be used to refinish a stock. So, it does work as a preservative?

 

[X-ring]

If by BLO, you mean Boiled Linseed Oil? I have it, but the labels indicate it should be used to refinish a stock. So, it does work as a preservative?

NO

 

[morehops]

I've never used anything on my wood except a damp cloth. Never have had any problems either. Your mileage may very.

 

[Bad Karma]

Depends on the finish but most of the time I wipe with a waxed rag. The wax is either Renaissance or Automotive paste wax. Some of mine have oil finishes and those are touched up with a small spot of Tru Oil.

 

[Splitear]

I have switched to using Ballistol for everything, cleaning, wiping down, even lubing patches occasionally.

 

[drpatton]

NO

I didn't think so. I wanted to get the BP soot off of the wood around the lock and tang area.

I haven't, but I could see using linseed oil in a minute amount hand rubbed in, on an oil rubbed finish. I have a few of them.

 

[GoexBlackhorn]

I have switched to using Ballistol for everything, cleaning, wiping down, even lubing patches occasionally.

I've used it on stocks for decades now.

 

[morehops]

I'll revise my answer from above to say that I do use my bore cleaning solution (currently Butch's bore Shine) on a patch to clean the BP from around the lock and stock areas around it when i'm done at the range.

 

[sheriffjohn]

After wiping black powder residue from lock/breech with Butch's, metal parts get Rem-oil . Unlike kerosene-based oils, Rem-oil is synthetic. Won't thicken in cold weather. Stocks? Depends on the finish and whether the stock's been wet during a hunt.