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.44 Magnum Bigboy Carbine musings...

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Redthies
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.44 Magnum Bigboy Carbine musings...

Post by Redthies » Sat May 22, 2021 3:00 pm

I picked up a “lightly used” .44 BBSC about two months ago. It was an ok deal, but not spectacular. The gun has had more use than was implied, and it’s prev owner was a bit rough with it. I finally got tired of looking at the mashed checkering and chunked recoil pad, and ordered a replacement stick set from Henry. I installed them today and it looks almost brand new again. I also added a Skinner Express rear and Patridge front sight. Exact same set up as my .357 Magnum. They could be twins.

The question of the day, is what to do with the old stock set. I’m contemplating stripping the finish, trying to refresh the checkering, and then doing a linseed and Tru oil finish, with a new sand to fit recoil pad. Thoughts?

Pics below of the old and new stock set, along with closer shots of damage.
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SGC .22 LR Stripped and oiled up
BBSC .357 w Skinner Express & Patridge
BBSC .44 Magnum with Skinners
Marlin 1895GS .45-70 w RPP Cloverleaf
Marlin 336BL .30-30 w Skinner LoPro 2 and Sig 2-7x
1912 Winchester 1894 .30 WCF

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brm4450
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Re: .44 Magnum Bigboy Carbine musings...

Post by brm4450 » Sat May 22, 2021 3:08 pm

What do you have to lose by refinishing? Time and a little investment!
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JEBar
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Re: .44 Magnum Bigboy Carbine musings...

Post by JEBar » Sat May 22, 2021 3:24 pm

any kids coming up in the family that might enjoy firing it if you cut the stock down to youth size :?:
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Cofisher
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Re: .44 Magnum Bigboy Carbine musings...

Post by Cofisher » Sat May 22, 2021 6:33 pm

Don’t understand how a rifle gets that ‘used’! I guess if you just throw it in the back of the truck...

Good decision on the new wood. I agree with Jim, the old wood will make it easier for a new shooter. Less stress, lol.
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Re: .44 Magnum Bigboy Carbine musings...

Post by John E Davies » Sat May 22, 2021 6:55 pm

Since you seem inclined to fix it, do what you suggested and sell it as a refurbished stock here or on Gun Broker, at say 60% of MSRP.

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Vaquero
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Re: .44 Magnum Bigboy Carbine musings...

Post by Vaquero » Sat May 22, 2021 8:20 pm

Cofisher wrote:
Sat May 22, 2021 6:33 pm
Don’t understand how a rifle gets that ‘used’! I guess if you just throw it in the back of the truck...

Good decision on the new wood. I agree with Jim, the old wood will make it easier for a new shooter. Less stress, lol.
It could have rode around in the truck, or may have been hunted with.
There could be several reasons for the dings.
It's a tool and some use it as so.
I have a few older rifles with a ding or two.
Some by me and most by previous owners.

RP
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Redthies
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Re: .44 Magnum Bigboy Carbine musings...

Post by Redthies » Sat May 22, 2021 9:44 pm

Vaquero wrote:
Sat May 22, 2021 8:20 pm
It's a tool and some use it as so.
I have a few older rifles with a ding or two.
Some by me and most by previous owners.

RP
Yup, I have lots of old rifles that have tons of character and dings, and I’m fine with that. This however, is NOT an old rifle and was bought under the understanding that it was “as new”, which it clearly wasn’t. I hunt the crap out my .30-30 and .357 in the VERY tough ground that is the Pacific Coast, and neither one has any marks like this gun did. I looked at just replacing the recoil pad, but it was 75% the cost of the new stock set and would never be right.

I’m giving serious thought to stripping the factory finish and doing the natural finish like I did on my SGC. Nothing to lose at this point. The checkering I’m not sure on, but hoping I can clean it up and “sharpen” it back up with my woodworking skills.

My SGC and 1911 model year Winchester 1894:
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SGC .22 LR Stripped and oiled up
BBSC .357 w Skinner Express & Patridge
BBSC .44 Magnum with Skinners
Marlin 1895GS .45-70 w RPP Cloverleaf
Marlin 336BL .30-30 w Skinner LoPro 2 and Sig 2-7x
1912 Winchester 1894 .30 WCF

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Vaquero
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Re: .44 Magnum Bigboy Carbine musings...

Post by Vaquero » Sat May 22, 2021 10:07 pm

Red, I stripped the stocks on my H001 and tru oiled them. I think they look better than the original.
But we all know what they say about opinions. 😮🤣

RP
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Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care". :lol:

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Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012

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Redthies
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Re: .44 Magnum Bigboy Carbine musings...

Post by Redthies » Sat May 22, 2021 10:17 pm

Does the Tru oil maintain a gloss? I love linseed, but it doesn’t keep a ton of shine. Maybe it would if I did a few more coats? I’ve heard great things about Tru oil though.
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SGC .22 LR Stripped and oiled up
BBSC .357 w Skinner Express & Patridge
BBSC .44 Magnum with Skinners
Marlin 1895GS .45-70 w RPP Cloverleaf
Marlin 336BL .30-30 w Skinner LoPro 2 and Sig 2-7x
1912 Winchester 1894 .30 WCF

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Re: .44 Magnum Bigboy Carbine musings...

Post by pistolpete » Mon Jun 28, 2021 8:40 pm

Tru Oil will be very glossy. I have a 10/22 stock that's too glossy, put about 7 coats(hand rubbed) on it.
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