I have 6-7 rifles and shotguns here that I have made stocks for.I used Art's Spar Varnish and high grade tung oil method and they all came out perfect to me.Yes the saying is you are never happy with the final coat.You just get to the pont where you are satsified with it

If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles