I never had experience using aniline dyes, so I can't speak to their use.
Before I get into dyes/stains, I learned to use Birchwood Casey's Tru Oil something like Dave Person uses the Black aniline dye. For quite a while, I've used one "Plus" coat of Tru Oil as the initial filler coat for the pores of the wood BEFORE using dye/stain. What that means is I rub all the Tru Oil the stock will handle and hang it up where dust can't get to it. Then about 20 minutes later, I go back and rub in more where the pores have soaked up the oil the most. When done, it is pretty much filled and "tacky" over the whole surface of the stock. I let that dry at least 12 to 24 hours, though if hung outside when there is no wind, that time is much shorter. Then I scrape or sand the surface back to the bare wood in preparation for dyeing/staining.
The 17th - early 19th century texts kept referring to "spirit" stains and I sheepishly admit it took some time for me to figure out they meant alcohol based stains. However, the little information provided on making the stains did not seem near complete enough to use. Finally I figured out that the Spirit or Alcohol based stains I used for leather might work on wood as well. Bottom line, they worked to an excellent degree.
One of the first "spirit" stains I used was Dixie's Stain, linked below. I did not realize it at first, but it is a special formula made for Dixie by Fiebings. While it worked very well in staining, it had WAY too much Red color in it. Even a thinned coat made the walnut look like it was Sun Burnt. I wound up mixing it with a really dark brown stain and it looked like the stuff they put on G.I. Birch stocks and handguards. Bottom line, DON'T buy it for a ML gun
https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...6,357/product_name/LA0201+Dixie+Antique+Stain
There is one Fiebings Stain that I probably use 90% of the time on walnut and that is Fiebings Medium Brown Stain. It has just the right "hint of red" that gives a very pleasing tone to the wood. (DON'T buy the Light Brown Stain as it has NO Red in it and DON'T buy the Dark Brown Stain as it also doesn't seem to have any Red in it and it must be "thinned down" way too much to use on gun stocks.) For a ML stock, I recommend one part Medium Brown Stain to 2 or 3 parts (by volume) of alcohol and mix well before staining. Better to "build up" the color with additional coats where you need it than to make it too dark all at once. However, a wad of paper towels dampened with alcohol or Acetone will easily remove too much stain, where needed and you can try again. Yep, had to do that a few times over the years.
https://cdn8.bigcommerce.com/s-fh5b...wn_2017__01998.1497210476.jpg?c=2&imbypass=on
I sometimes use Fiebings British Tan dye on some stocks and have used some of their Yellow and Red dyes in very small quantities mixed in other dyes when needed as well. But for most folks, I suggest you stay with Fiebings Medium Brown dye.
Shake it up VERY WELL before you open it and mix small batches of 1 part or tablespoon of stain to 2 parts or tablespoons of alcohol and/or another thinner mix of 1 part stain to 3 parts alcohol if your wood is naturally kind of on the dark side of color - but has some lighter spots in it. (USE Rubber or Vinyl gloves so you don't get dye/stain on your hands that won't come off for two or three days.) Try the smaller batch of dye/alcohol mix and use full strength dye on any super light spots. You can add more coats and blend the color as needed. Watch the color before it dries and you can easily learn to judge close to what it will look like when dry.
I prefer to put the stock outside in the sunlight for half an hour and let it bake, though wait at least that long if indoors to say an hour or more - to allow the stain to thoroughly dry. Then I take an old/rag terrycloth dish rag or dish towel and rub the stock down VERY HARD all over the surface. This will take a little stain off, but that's a good thing. Take it OUTSIDE in the sun to ensure the color is the same all over the stock. If it is, then you can begin to apply your finish. If not, then you can add more stain where needed. If the color is too dark, you can remove some or all the finish by wetting a wad of paper towels in Alcohol or Acetone and starting over.
Gus