I started stripping the stocks on the RB 7mm Mauser. There has been a flurry of stock refinishing posts lately so I figured now would be a good time to start and get advice if needed.

The back story is that I got the RB No. 5 at auction. The forend had been chopped down. I ordered replacement forends, but they came in much darker and browner than the redish original. So, I am trying to strip them down and refinish them.

1) I started with StripEase. In this picture, I have applied the first coat of StripEase. It shows the difference in colors.
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2) I did three coats of StripEase, I wiped it off with papertowels, and rubbed it out with mineral spirits and acetone.
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3) Figuring the StripEase was played through, I switched to Moorland Finish remover. 
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4) The Moorland Finish Remover is more liquid than gel. I applied it with a paint brush and then scrubbed each piece with a toothbrush. It definitely was lifting stain, it was brown ooze. I rinsed it off with water and a light scrub with a scrub pad. I noticed that the forend and handguard were definitely soaking the liquid and water up more. I wonder if this means it's a different type of wood, or if it was just that the buttstock still had lacquer in it.
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In the last picture, I added a sanded side of the original, cut down forend. It is much redder. Even the buttstock is brownish, sort of green. The forends are darker still.

So, question: Do I re-treat with Finish Remover or StripEase more, or use Oven Cleaner, Bleach, Vinegar?

Incidentally, how do you use bleach to do this? How long, how to apply, how to clean.

After Bleach

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There were dark stains that I thought were actual stain, but after bleaching the look more like rust.
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I used straight clorox. Brushed it on, let it soak for a minute, wiped off the drips, and let it dry for about 15 minutes or more. Then I did it two more times. Finally, after it dried a bit, I brushed vinegar on ostensibly to neutralize the bleach, but that could be rinsed off. I think the vinegar must be more for neutralizing the lye if you use oven cleaner.

Anyway, bleach definitely lightened the wood, including the long forend, but it still has darkness. However, I think it's enough. Tomorrow, steaming, and then the next day, sanding.

I'll try it and post!