Bullet-point stock dents

[Sunray]

No wetting of the wood is necessary. Just the wet, but not dripping, cloth(a face cloth works well) and a normal iron, set on cotton, will raise 'em as much as they will raise. Only does so much though. Won't do anything to cut fibres. The steam will also raise any cartouches, so watch where you put the cloth.
Won't remove a tung oil finish, but might pull out some BLO.

[musketshooter]

Those look a lot more like worm holes. Bullet tip dents are usually quite symmetrical and spaced as they would be in the clips.

[mack]

No one seems to have added that patience is the key to removing dents from a stock. There is no quick-fix for taking patience and time. I once spent more than two weeks removing dents from a stock I acquired from CMP and the results were not a "new stock" but rather one that looked less abused and was dent-free. If it hadn't been a desirable H&R stock I might not have tried so hard. So much for that though. Slow down, let the steam and wood work together. If the dent doesn't come out the first time or two, let the wood dry thoroughly so the fibers can relax and return to their natural, un-dented state. Then try again. And, like one poster said, even deeply cut numbers and letters will eventually release and be raised. I think two weeks worth of dent removal may certainly be extreme, but money spent to replace a stock is pretty extreme as well. I don't have money to waste and I would rather have an original stock that has been cleaned than a replacement, although Dupage's items as extremely nice.

Go back to your stock, but first use a good quality stripper to remove as much finish or sub-surface oil as you can. This will allow the water to penetrate and expand those wood fibers so they can swell and smooth when heat is applied. Never use any setting on a steam iron except "Cotton" as you want all the heat you can get. I have never used a steam kettle, but use whatever suits you. I prefer and have had good luck with an iron and lots of heat through a sopping wet terry cloth washcloth. Keep it wet and TAKE YOUR TIME. All that "battlefield character" is mostly rack wear anyway but it will take time to remove. Good luck and keep trying. I have been using this method since 2002 and it hasn't failed me. It won't work on broken wood fiber though so pick your fights carefully.

[donb]

Leave them, part of the history of the rifle. If you want a undented stock, buy a new one from say, Dupage.

I second leaving them. I regret messing with the history of many of my earlier Garands, can't hit the undo button though.

[jonnyo55]

Regarding what Musketshooter said regarding worm holes...if that's what they are, the steam treatment will only waste your time and give you a blotchy stock. Those holes got there by worms eating their way in; the wood is gone, turned to worm poop long ago.

To tell whether these are bullet points or wormholes, try sticking a wire like a paper clip into them. If the wire sinks in to any appreciable degree, you've got wormholes.

[meterman]

I remember the instructors on the range telling us in no uncertain terms to not do that..use the steel buttplate, instead.

[fogerty]

I agree with joem. Took me a long time to figure out the less I did to the stock, the more original it is and the more I like it. Have a Dane with bullet indents and left it alone. Glad I did.
I did.

[joem]

I agree with joem. Took me a long time to figure out the less I did to the stock, the more original it is and the more I like it. Have a Dane with bullet indents and left it alone. Glad I did.
I did.

Good for you. I'v had people at the range ask why I haven't removed those. It's part of history and I would not remove them, ever.

[Bill E]

I agree, I'd leave them also. As to removing dents, I've used the dishwater method that was recommended here some time ago. Seemed to work OK but best done when other family members are not around. I've also read that Bob Seijas used a strong granulated soap (don't recollect the name) and soaking the stock in the bath tub with good results.

[m1ashot]

Boy I got a nice IHC from S America the but stock had these all over. You can clean a stock re oil to look orginal even with sanding , but you need to be careful sanding a stock.