Oak

[jtmattison]

How often if ever was oak used to make gun stocks, ball blocks...etc?
I picked up a nice red oak board today to make ball blocks and stuff.
Is it a proper hardwood to use?
HD

 

[Zonie]

IMO oak would make good ball blocks, gun cases etc but it has many things working against it making a good gunstock.

 

[jaxenro]

I know English gunmakers used it in the late percussion/early cartridge at times for very large caliber guns on occasion due to the strength and weight for heavy recoiling calibers. I have seen a few pictures, most are very straight grain

 

[BrownBear]

I've used it for ball blocks and really like it, but be careful about drilling the holes too close. For some reason it's pretty easy for wood to pop out along the grain between the holes. Not an issue if the holes are more than three quarters of an inch apart, but I had a real mess on my hands when I made a small caliber block with holes closer.

 

[omarick1948]

How often if ever was oak used to make gun stocks, ball blocks...etc?
I picked up a nice red oak board today to make ball blocks and stuff.
Is it a proper hardwood to use?
HD

For things like Ball Boards Oak is OK, but he main problem using Oak is the open grain and weight factor. Hard Maple works alot better and you can get an endless supply free from old pallets. I even come across pallets that have curly Maple boards used in them from time to time!
:hmm:

 

[coehornboy]

I used it...it is heavy, but looks good with about 10 coats of tru-oil.

BTW...it is also cheap (this piece of wood was dunnage from a 2x12 pallet beam)