Since it seems to bother you, try wiping it w/ alcohol, to get any oil or wax off (a bit of fine steel wool wouldn't hurt, either). Once it's dry, get a small can of wood stain that looks like it's a close match to your gunstock (most shops have cards showing how the stain looks on different woods). Wipe the stain on in light coats, letting it sit a few minutes but wiping any excess off before it's dry. Keep re-coating until you like the color, letting each coat dry a couple hours before rubbing it smooth w/ fine steel wool. When you are satisfied, rub beeswax into it - and order a hickory replacement, for when it breaks. (If it doesn't, then you'll have a spare "wiping rod", an old tradition.