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So what I did was sanded against the grain and then with using a progressively finer grit backed by a steel block. Steamed and then re-steamed again using a concentrated blast with a commercially made home project device. Applied a light coat of stain to better identify the remaining low spots. Steamed again like what was recommended to further raise the dents. Mixed oil and stain and then applied allowing time to penetrate and dry then final sanded with some oil cut back with mineral spirits into a sloppy mess. The 99 stock has defined panels that are easy to square with a flat steel block once the radius on the underside of the wrist and the area right before the band juncture are cleaned up with sand-cloth wrapped around a 7/8 or 3/4 wood dowel because the curves are different at the front and rear of the stock. Cutting the grasping grooves lightly with a barrel bedding tool sharpened the grooves and allowed for improved appearance. The difficulty was allowing the sanding to occur while being able to maintain the in-letting for the nose cap, butt plate and magazine well and tangs to remain below the surface of the wood or as close to as possible. Wood dowels placed transversely needed to be set so the grain of the dowels follows the grain of the wood and can be further blended in with an electro pencil at one or more places around their circumference before sanding into the gooey mess and they they disappear. Im also starting to think that exposing the stock to sunlight, various temperature changes in between steaming and cooling while working the stock while introducing oils and stain allowed it to be worked better. Once the wood was allowed some oil to absorb and dressed it really doesn't look that bad especially considering the alternative which would have been being lost to the old stock barrel never to see the light of day again.
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Sounds like it all worked out fine. Takes lots to finish it up doesn't it? As you say though better to resurrect than gashbin.
