Hi Scott,
Some may have a routine method they always use. In my case, much depends on my objectives for the final look of the gun. I often attempt to make guns that look historically correct particularly when building for re-enactors, museums, and collectors. However, that does not mean I have to relive the 17th-18th centuries. In most cases, I scrape off tool marks, then sand to smooth and even out the wood surface. Then I whisker and scrape. That does the best and most thorough job for the first round. Then I whisker again and sand to again smooth the wood surface and reduce the wash boarding caused by scraping that is particularly noticeable on figured wood. On some guns I get rid of all rippling on others I leave some to give texture to the finish (again my objectives rule). Finally, I usually do a light final scraping before stain and finish. That helps clean out saw dust from sanding and shear off wood fibers mashed down by sanding. I have built guns without using any sand paper at all and enjoyed the process but I don't find that necessary for correct looking guns and sanding with clean, sharp paper is very quick and efficient. Some folks like a heavy coarse scraped look but I am not one of those and have not seen many originals finished like that although I am sure there are some out there.
dave
