Water Transfer Printing for Rifle Stocks

There’s a great new way to apply an eye-catching finish to fiberglass and synthetic stocks. Water Transfer Printing (aka Hydro-Dipping) can apply beautiful, stylized patterns to your stock, and the process costs less than a custom paint job. Hydro-dipping is ideal for applying amazing photo-realistic effects such as stone, wood burl, snakeskin, or faux carbon fiber. Hydro-dipping requires no harsh chemicals or high heat so there are no negative side effects. You just end up with an amazing, patterned finish on your stock.

Hundreds of different patterns are available. We like the carbon-look finish on benchrest guns and the snakeskin patterns on hunting and varmint rifles. Natural snakeskin designs, in this Editor’s opinion, are the most effective camouflage for the largely arrid backcountry in the American southwest.

Hydro-Dip of Idaho Does Great Work
While there are a half-dozen companies offering water transfer printing for rifle stocks, Forum member Francis B. recommends Hydro-Dip, LLC of Meridian, Idaho. Examples of Hydro-Dip’s work are shown above. Francis writes: “Scott, Adam, and old man Rod Springer own and run Hydro-Dip. This is a company that will ‘paint’ your rifle, tool box, trailer, airplane, whatever and will do an excellent job while doing it. Check out their archives of jobs done. You will be amazed. I’ve not had one of their jobs done for any of mine (yet) but I’m considering it. Those who have had their rifles done tell me the cost is very reasonable. I have seen a few stocks done and they are works of art.”

Hydro-dipping (water transfer printing) can be performed on virtually any metal or plastic surface. You can Hydro-dip car parts, archery equipment, rifle stocks… you name it. See the process in the video below

Contest for Free Rifle Stock Hydro-Dipping
Hydro-Dip is curently offering a contest. Just sign up on the Hydro-Dip website to get a chance to win a FREE Rifle Stock Hydro-Dipping OR a $150 voucher toward any Hydro-dipped item with the pattern of your choice. (Contest drawing is 7/1/2009).

Cabela’s Bargain: Burris Scope & Garmin GPS for $189.88

Here’s a sweet deal for you game hunters out there. Cabela’s is offering a FREE Garmin eTrex hand-held GPS with the purchase of a 3-9×40mm Burris Fullfield II scope. Total cost: $189.88. Typical “street price” for the 3-9×40 Fullfield II Rifle Scope by itself is $209.95, while the Garmin eTrex retails for $99.00 by itself. So, if you subtract the value of the GPS, you’re getting the Burris scope for about 90 bucks. Not bad for a scope with fully-coated lenses and the Burris No-BS “Forever” warranty. Here’s what one Cabela’s buyer said: “Great price for a scope and a free GPS. I have no problems recommending this scope it is a good quality scope with clear optics. The GPS is first generation without the features most people want but it will get you home if you are lost.”

The Garmin eTrex GPS is considered a rugged classic. It is compact and light weight at mere 5.3 ounces with batteries, with the buttons positioned on the side for easy, one handed operation. The casing is rugged and waterproof to IPX-7 standards. The eTrex will operate for about 15 hours on two AA batteries.