Help me pick a rifle stock

[InTheSwamp]

You're saying that the human brain is not smart enough to realize that their face is too close or too far from the scope? It's like saying the human brain is not smart enough to finish pulling the trigger when the scope picture is right.

The human brain is capable of that and a lot more, e.g., realizing which stock is better suited to accomplish the task with minimal effort. Or which trigger is lighter to pull, before pulling the trigger.

 

[sage5907]

The human brain is capable of that and a lot more, e.g., realizing which stock is better suited to accomplish the task with minimal effort. Or which trigger is lighter to pull, before pulling the trigger.

The human brain is your onboard computer that makes everything happen. If you pick the wrong stock for your rifle the human brain will help you use it anyway. Some people don't need as many crutches as others and I learned years ago that user friendly works best.

 

[InTheSwamp]

If you pick the wrong stock

I believe the previous poster was implying that there are wrong stocks - I see you agree with it. Proven to be wrong by a couple centuries of shooting.
It's not about getting used to it, but how quick, comfortably and effectively you get used to it.

 

[doubleh]

I would choose the one in the picture in the OP. Wood can and will warp with humidity but a wood stock can be made pretty waterproof with certain finishes. All I can say about beating a wooden stock up is that over a very long span of years I have never done it. If I were climbing tall and rocky terrain I might see the need for poly or fiberglass in case of a slip or fall but I am not.

 

[Varminterror]

It's not about getting used to it, but how quick, comfortably and effectively you get used to it.

It's also about how much stress can actually be placed on the shooting situation without causing failure for the training. As it is said, "in crisis, we do not rise to the occasion, we fall to our preparation." When stressors are added which break down the shooter's ability to meticulously prepare for each shot, then aids like properly fitted stocks including appropriate comb position to align the eye to the scope will prevent failures.

As a direct example, we often shoot Specialty Pistols with riflescopes which have no cheek support at all, and no reference for head alignment - with practice, and given support an time, making exceptionally precise shots is relatively easy. Add stressors of less support and pressured time, this becomes very difficult, and the gap between the Specialty Pistol and a stocked rifle widens substantially.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Richard's Microfit Stocks. Can't hurt to have a look.

 

[thump_rrr]

This is a useful point as well. I don't have a ton of experience with different stock shapes. My target rifle is adjustable, so it doesn't really count. Everything else I have except for the Boyd's thumbhole is a straight sporter style stock. I definitely prefer adding some type of cheek piece or pad to those to help with eye-scope alignment, even when using scopes with 40 or 44 mm objectives and low rings.

If you order directly from Boyd’s there are stocks that can be ordered with adjustable comb height and custom lengths of pull.
There are better options than Boyd’s.
varminterror has pointed some of these out.