Bill
Do not want to sidetrack this thread too badly, but epoxy as a sealer coat on a gunstock with oil on top looks just like oil, but with more depth. It does not look like the thick factory goop-job!

On bigleaf maple it looks pretty good...
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a34...6portsides.jpg

First place I look for the best advice is ads and then I look at the spiel the manufacturer came up with on the package to sell it! Actually, you will note very relative terms are used there. The techs and engineers will give you the straight answers if you can get past the telephone blockers most companies use....
art