Let's Build a Traditions St. Louis Hawken | How-To Series Part 8: Staining Your Stock

In this next part of our Traditions St. Louis Hawken kit building video series, Ethan tests out and then applies some stain to the beechwood Hawken stock. After staining We go through several finishing processes including burnishing, oiling, sanding and more.
With our hardware finished, we’re ready to move onto finishing out stock. In the previous parts of this series, we’ve done a lot to this stock to make it fit and feel right, but the stain and oiling is going to be the most dramatic change, so buckle up and let’s get to it.

For the series, I’m going to try out 3 different wood stains,
Varathane Chestnut
Varathane Gunstock
Minwax Cherry No. 235
These stains are available at any hardware or home improvement store and will work fine for what we are doing. I’ve had them in the shop for a while for use on some home improvement projects, so if you are worried about buying a whole can for just this stock, remember you can always use the rest on something else!

If you are looking to build a very nice longrifle, or one a bit more historically accurate than this, consider checking out some of the longrifle specific stains available from Dixie Gun Works, Flintlocks LLC, Jim Chambers Flintlocks, Track of the Wolf, or any other muzzleloading supply shop. The colors and options they have are a higher quality and offer some nicer colors than we can get with these generic wood stains.

In this multi-part video series, NMLRA Field Agent Ethan shows you how to build a Traditions St. Louis Hawken muzzleloading kit from start to finish. These are entry-level kits and offer anyone interested in muzzleloading an affordable and simple way to build their own muzzleloader.
If you are new to the series, be sure to visit our channel and head back to part 1 to follow along step by step as we build this kit from start to finish. Our goal is to make a comprehensive video series to accompany the instructions provided by Traditions Performance Firearms.

The NMLRA exists to promote, support, nurture, and preserve our nation’s rich historical heritage in the sport of muzzleloading through recreational, educational, and historical venues.

Since 1933, we have led the effort to preserve the history of the United States through muzzleloading shooting sports & living history events.

Website: NMLRA.org
Podcast: NMLRA.org/podcast

[BigWoodsman]

Love the build video series. I will be starting 2 of these kits shortly. Get rid of the brush and get some decent sponge applicators for stain. Reduces runs and gets a better finish right from the start.

[mattgroll]

Thanks for this series. I am going to put together one of these kits.

[KaliBlaz]

use a pre-stain conditioner to allow the stain to uniformly penetrate the wood and avoid blotchiness and also use a rag instead of that tiny brush, it helps the stain to absorb and flow along the grain much better...

[marktaylor]

Looking outstanding. I'm really looking forward to seeing the rifle put together.

[psychodiagnostik]

Can't wait to see how those parts you prepared look on it.

[sailorjohnboy]

Looking good!! I like a coat of minwax walnut with Sedona red on top of that. I seal it all up with a couple of coats of natural danish oil. Not "authentic" but the color I like. After every use, I finish my cleaning routine with a coat of Howard's Feed-N-Wax.

[markgoostree]

The "Gun Stock" color was my choice after your first dot test! I think you made a great choice. My T.C. Hawken came with a very nice walnut stock so my choice was made for me. I did four coats of BLO rubbed and polished between coats then three coats of stock wax. I feel lucky about the look and feel of the stock. great color and a silky smooth surface. Now I've got to go shoot it and dirty it up a little bit! I've enjoyed watching your videos, the process, the progress, and your good looking rifle is going to be a pleasure to own!

[homemadehistory]

again a nice video .... thanks a lot and more of thet please. 😁👍

[prairiebhoy]

I have the same rifle purchased from Cabelas finished about 27 years ago. The stock came in a dark walnut (wood not finish) that made for a heavy gun. The scroll work under the trigger was not on mine but the rest of the brass on the guard is the same. A little quality oil and the wood is beautiful

[JagdtygerA]

Years ago, when my eyes were still working, my first Black Powder gun was a Hawken rifle, which I built as a kit. It was a good shooter and I had years of good times with it. But I had to sell it to help with the financial burdens of raising a family. By the time that was over, my eyes were shot

[robertrandin]

That's a great color I like it but it works better if you use cotton balls or a lint-free rag to put the stain if you get more of an even coat

[nojremlock]

Cabinet makers suggestion...take a cloth and soak up some.stain..then start at one end and apply liberally all the way down...then take clean cloth and wipe down from one end to the other. This will allow for even absorption and even smooth color...reapply if necessary

[chucklucas]

Try floor polish in a old stocking after the staining is finished an dry to your liking it gives the stock a nice finish an you give it a it coat when needed

[M_WOODLAND]

After attempting several stock refinishes: VARATHANE! That stuff was a game changer for me. I can't recommend it enough over Min-Wax. IME the Varathane finish is soooo much easier to work with and just comes out really nice.
I know some old-timers will disagree with me, and that's OK. I use what works for me.

[tomasmcmillan]

Thank you, you have inspired me to attempt to build a hawkins kit. Gemmer or st luis what is easier and which has a better finish due to better wood and qualtiy of parts??

[grorob]

fantastic job. Well done on the finish and the instructions. I'm at the point of staining my Great Plains rifle from a kit at Muzzle-loaders and very happy on the fits and wood I have to work with. I'm going for the 2 tone type finish on the Liver-eater gun. Your stock comes close to the darker edges and rough look. Any suggestions on the black type end and edge finish? Do I use a dark stain on the butt end, barrel trough and nose cone? The entire series you have done is very informative Happy new year

[kennyclark]

Next time try liquid brown shoe polish.. . It will fill an lift the wood.. takes a lot of coats.. buff in between...the wood will let you know when it gets full and the polish will set ontop of the wood... let dry over night then buff .. the old timers did this...makes the wood water proof also

[dmm]

Are you going to be at the shoot this September?

[petrosspetrosgali]

The problem with the minwax and I think the varathane is that you only get one color out of them. Solvent based stains are WAY better and not much more expensive.

[jackson]

Looks good, when do you start my build?