My checkered past

Further to the most recent post about my newly acquired 2020 Browning X-Bolt Medallion Maple hunting rifle, there are a couple of things that need to be done before taking a new hunting rifle afield. The gun needs to be thoroughly cleaned to remove any protective coating applied at the factory. It needs to have a scope mounted and sighted in. And it needs to have the barrel "broken in". Those are the standard "new gun" processes. But there is one other I thought needed to be done to assure the gun is ready for hunting season. 

2020 Browning X-Bolt Medallion Maple in .270

The checkering (that's the cross-hatch carving on the hand contact areas) was obviously done after the stock was finished so it looked raw, leaving the wood porous. I did some googling and found at least one forum that recommended treating the checkering with oil prior to taking the rifle into the field or otherwise subjecting it to the elements.

Per the Browning X-Bolt Owner's Manual: 

MAINTENANCE OF OIL FINISHED STOCKS

Keeping the oil-finished wood surfaces on your firearm looking their best requires only a small amount of maintenance. When the surfaces become spotted or dull, the affected area(s) can be treated using rubbing alcohol on a soft, lint free cloth and allowed to dry. A small amount of a linseed oil-based finish, such as Watco® Danish Oil Finish, Deft® Danish Oil Finish, or Formby’s® Tung Oil Finish should then be applied to the surface of the wood with a soft, lint free cloth according to the manufacturers’ instructions. To treat the checkering, a small amount of oil-based finish can be applied and then distributed evenly using a toothbrush or other soft bristled brush.

Applying an oil finish to the stock's checkering

Given the extremely shiny finish of the wood, I'm not sure my gun is an "oil finished stock". It looks more like a varnished finish. Nevertheless, I decided to treat the checkering as recommended.

My local Ace Hardware had the Watco, so that’s what I used. Toothbrush? Oh, hell no! I used a fine sable filbert paint brush from my oil painting box. I was scared to death that I’d fuck it up, but I was very careful and it seems to have worked out fine. The oil soaked into the wood nice and evenly. I'll give it a couple of days to dry and then see if it needs a second coat. 

Pistol grip checkering on the maple X-bolt

Next project: scope mounts!