Tru oiling a stock

Anyone perfect the art? I’m on like 7 coats for my 1903A3. I’m hoping I’m soon ready for polishing. I just started my Swedish 1896. I still have the M48 and K98 to go.

I try to keep the coats light as to not have any runs. That’s been my problem the last 2 coats on my 1903 I fucked up and had two splotches. I sandpapered down with 1500 to even it out.

If anyone has any advice with over technique I’d take it.

Only stock I've "refinished" is my 1935'ish Winchester Model 67 .22. Lightly sanded, lightly stained then lightly varnished. Not a big a fan of making a gun of that age look brand new. Prolonging the life yet showing the age makes it what it is imo.

I've used tung oil on a Rem 700 BDL stock. I hate the fucking polyurethane finish. I've been working on it for a few years. Had the action trued re-barreled a LH .270 with a SS Krieger barrel in .35 Whelen with safari sights a few years back. Just last year I had the bolt, action, and barrel all cerakoted in matte black finish and installed a jewel trigger. I will have the gun re-stocked at some point in the future to complete the project.