Walnut Rifle Stocks

by
posted on May 14, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
qa_ah2015_fs.jpg (43)

undefinedQ: Is there any real difference between rifle stocks made of American walnut and those made of French walnut, besides cost?

A: Worldwide, there are some 50 species of walnut (genus Juglans). In addition, many other species are mistakenly called walnut. In terms of walnut best suited for gunstocks, most is taken from three species: Juglans regia (Circassian, English or French walnut; also many other types), Juglans nigra (American, Eastern and Oregon black walnut) and Juglans hindsii (California black, claro and Hinds walnut). Also suitable for high-grade stocks, but very rare, is Bastogne walnut, a hybrid of Juglans regia and Juglans hindsii.

Most favorite of these is Juglans regia (Circassian, English or French), which in Latin means “royal walnut.” This species originated in Asia, but has been transplanted widely trough Europe and the Americas, resulting in many sub classifications that exhibit slight differences in color and figure resulting from variations in growing conditions. All woods of this species, however, have a fine, dense grain, excellent hardness and workability, high strength and shock resistance, good stability, and appealing grain and figure.

Juglans nigra (American, Eastern and Oregon black walnut) is the name for varieties of true black walnut. Juglans hindsii (California black, claro and Hinds walnut), collectively known as claro walnut, is very similar in properties to the Juglans regia varieties, though it is both slightly weaker and not as shock resistant as the Cirassian or Bastogne varieties. Black and claro walnut are also known for their distinctive grain and figure.

Latest

44 Mag HST LEDE
44 Mag HST LEDE

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Breeding Duck Numbers Decline Again in ND

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 78th-annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66-million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

New for 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke in 450 Bushmaster

Christensen Arms has announced the release of the Evoke rifle chambered in powerful 450 Bushmaster.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.