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Do you know the species of wood? There are wood fillers specific to wood type. I'm guessing cherry, but its only a guess.
Removing the handguard you can usually see the unfinished wood that's under the barrel and make a good determination of the wood type.
If the coloration under the barrel is different, then the wood is likely stained. This is not easy to do if not seeing it first hand. If your not comfortable working on it yourself, someone local that restores furniture might be able to help. Wood restoration and repair is an art. Good luck with it.
Might ask the manufacturer of the rifle to get their thoughts too.
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Thanks. Yes I ought to give Henry a call.
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Unfortunately you aren’t going to be able to match the existing finish no matter what you do. You will need to strip all of the wood. This can probably be done with lacquer thinner, a rag, and some time. You can sand down the area around the gouge and mix the sand dust with epoxy to blend colors. Come back with whatever stain/finish you please.
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That's kind of what I fear, and why I might opt for professional help, but at the same time I also don't need it to look mint again. It's a real rifle that sees real use. While it doesn't get taken out on rainy days or anything, it does get some dirt and dust. It's connected on the tree stand before. Those are very minor dings and from honest wear. Not a gouge from some dumbass knocking a huge pistol onto it.
A proper fix, even if not a perfect match, is going to require quite some patience and elbow grease I suppose.
I should take the forend off and see if the wood is raw underneath. That could also allow for a small test space to get a good color match.
Not that woodworking is a secret, but it does require some skill and knowledge I don't currently possess. I figure I'd ask before I go making it worse because of *whatever reason an experienced woodworker know, but a pipe welder doesnt*.