Hit it again with more oil & watch it pop. I think it is beauteous as is. You can lighten it by applying your finish with oil free 0000 steel wool. What you're seeing is the nearly naked stain. Additional finish equals increased depth & contrast AKA "pop"@
I never cared for the dark look Aqua-Fortis makes and much prefer the lightening redish highlights French Red stain from Brownell's makes.
My first go at aquafortis on a maple stock did this. Mostly because I put on two coats for the stain to cover up smudges of inletting black. I left it and it’s Ok. Others I have built since then I only put one coat on.
Nice work with the barrel keys.
You might want to give French Red from Brownell's a try it will really make the tiger stripe pop for you without looking Gawdy. I finish over the stain with rubbed out Birchwood Casey "True Oil" until pours are filled and satin finish then seal with Renaissance Wax. Seals em up good for inclimate weather.I like dark but like curl even more. I have a gun that came dark and hides the curl too well. But I'm lazy and will just leave it. A modest amount of curl wants to pop out but not enough to make the effort worthwhile.
This is what I like and strive for:
