I've got a rifle that has some dents in the stock that I'd like to raise as much as possible. I'm thinking that a damp cloth and a clothes iron might do the trick but before proceeding to mess up the stock I'd like to get the opinions of those more experienced in such procedures. Is this the right thing to do? What have others tried that works well here?

Depending on the finish of the stock, it will need to be removed before you can raise the dents from what I've seen.

Good point. If the steam can't get to the wood this won't work. Don't really want to refinish so might just live with the dents.

Try using a tea kettle, when it starts to steam place the stock over the steam this will some times raise the dents with out removing the finish if they are not to deep by using the moisture in the wood. If it works you save your self the cost of complety refinishing the stock.

I have restored quite a few beat up old stocks. The best method I have found is to remove all the finish and float the entire stock in a bath of very hot water. Leave it till the water has lost most of it's heat then fill the bath again and take the stock out when the water has cooled right down. let the stock dry for 24hrs and you should see that most if not all of the dents are gone. The grain will most likely have raised quite a bit depending on the type of wood, just give it a very light rub down with fine abrasive paper and refinish.

I have restored quite a few beat up old stocks. The best method I have found is to remove all the finish and float the entire stock in a bath of very hot water. Leave it till the water has lost most of it's heat then fill the bath again and take the stock out when the water has cooled right down. let the stock dry for 24hrs and you should see that most if not all of the dents are gone. The grain will most likely have raised quite a bit depending on the type of wood, just give it a very light rub down with fine abrasive paper and refinish.

The hot water bath approach worked very well on my M1 Grarand.

Good advice...it works well. Just live with the few little dents until you collect enough wear to make a full refinish an attractive option.