When it comes to your gunstock, you need quality wood to be used in the build process. It is the part of a long gun or rifle that provides structural support so that you can aim with accuracy. A good stock will fit securely so that the rifle does not shift under its recoil, but perhaps one of the most important things is that it will stand up to anything. It should be made with quality wood that will not change its shape due to temperature changes, humidity, and more. It is for this reason that many people choose Claro Walnut for their most preferred gun stock. It is extremely durable and outstandingly beautiful.
The Beauty of Claro
Claro Walnut or California Black Walnut is a type of wood that can range in color from pale brown to dark chocolate brown. It may also have darker streaks of color or a hint of green, gray, red, or purple. If you are looking at Claro sapwood, it may be nearly white in color. In either case, the wood grain pattern will mostly be straight, but not always. However, some people do enjoy the white color since it has numerous color variations in the grain’s pattern.
For some gun lovers, the feathered pattern of Claro walnut is what matters most. Burled or fiddle patterns are also available and each one can be beautiful as a stock.
This type of wood is very durable. It does not rot easily and most of the time, it is very easy to work with during the cutting and polishing stage, which is important if you are hoping to have a gunstock made of it.
Choosing Your Gunstock Blank
Most Claro gunstock will come to you as a blank. This allows you to put it on your gun. However, you do need to be careful which blank you choose.
A stock with burl or feathering in the thinner areas can sometimes end up being a little weak. A fiddle or straight grain is best for the thin wrist and action areas. When choosing a blank you also want to take notice of the ends and sides of the wood stock. If you have straight lines when looking from these areas as well, especially in the thinner areas. If the grain turns out instead since the stock will be weaker and may not provide the recoil protection or durability that is required.
The Right Fit
Beyond choosing the right walnut and right wood grain patterns, you will also need to consider size when it comes to a blank. Most rifle blanks will measure 28” to 48”. A blank for a shotgun or a two-piece rifle will measure out to be 16” to 21”. Both will be approximately 5-8 inches in height.
To know which size is best, you will want to either measure your existing stock or speak with the stock blank provider. Most people who design stocks will know what length and size you need based on the gun that you have.
In the world of guns, collectors love to make them more beautiful than others. They may come with a simple wood grain pattern on the stock, but this does not mean they have to stay there. Changing the wood is common practice. It is also helpful for people who want to restore an old family heirloom. If this is something you want to do with your gun, you have many options. One of which is to choose the most beautiful wood you can find and then add custom colored resin inlays to the gunstock. We guarantee it will make your rifle anything but boring.
Have you ever seen a gunstock with an engraving? A family crest, a deer, or a nature scene? The engraving takes a little effort, but it isn’t impossible to do. You start with new, beautiful wood stock in a type of wood that you prefer. Claro, walnut, pine, or any other solid wood with beautiful markings. This alone will make your gun more beautiful, but you can amplify the beauty by using a Dremel or some other tool to engrave it with something that holds value to you, your family, or your life. You can stop there, and have a one of a kind masterpiece if you want to. Some people take it a few steps further.
What if you took that engraving and amped it up with 
Walnut wood is known for its outstanding beauty. However, one type is most preferred by wood crafters. It is Claro Walnut, which is loved for more than just its fantastic marbling. It has a grain that is mostly straight and regular. Though occasionally it can have some slight irregularities. These imperfections only add to the overall beauty when waxed or coated in some other varnish.
When you look at a piece of claro, one of the first things you will notice is its amazing color. If the wood pieces are cut from the heartwood, it will be range from a light brown to a dark chocolate color with even darker streaks of brown. At times, there may also be hints of red, purple, or gray. If you come across a piece of sapwood, it will be nearly white in color. English Walnut, is streaked in an array of colors. It is bold enough to often be considered a marbled claro.
Some of the most common things that can be made with Claro beyond gun stocks. This includes various types of furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments, veneer, and more. Tables, bar tops, and a million other things can be made with it. This type of wood is great because it can be shaved down to very thin pieces of wood, like veneer, but may also be left as larger slabs. Just imagine what you may be able to do with it in your home, camper, or even your boat.