My method is a little more labor intensive than a lot of people care for. I apply several coats of varnish and sand back down to bare wood, leaving the pores filled level with the surface. Wait a few days for the varnish to fully cure to obviate shrinkage after the fact. Sanding back down to the wood surface without sanding away what is in the pores requires a dab hand and complete concentration. Figure on going back and repeating the process where needed. After a lot of experimentation I found this to be the only sure-fire method of filling the pores and not having shrinkage, or worse yet, having the filler material loosen and wash away. Clear epoxy is an excellent substitute for varnish in this application but does require even more elbow grease. Not for the faint of heart, but like most things in life there are no magical shortcuts if one wants it done right.
Do the blocking of this varnish with hard and flexible backers to keep the surface flat and edges sharp.
After pore filling is achieved, proceed with the 'oil finish' of choice. I mix mine with pure tung oil, whatever varnish I used to fill the pores, and either turpentine or mineral spirits to alter the viscosity.
My philosophy on finishing gun stocks or pieces of fine furniture is that it'll probably take as long to finish it as it did to build it.
