Gunstock blanks: how to buy the best

Shooting Industry, Oct, 1990 by Ron Swartley

Finally there are the word-of-mouth sources. Most gun shops and virtually all professional stockmakers have wood sources which they are glad to share, including leads to foreign distributors. The ones they swear by are likely to be the most dependable and ethical in the business.

Of course it's always best if you can take a look at the wood yourself before you buy it. But if you can't (as in the case of foreign sources), most reputable suppliers stand by their wood. If you run into an unexpected defect, or even the lead of spent bullets, after you start cutting, you can usually return the piece for an equal replacement.