What is the best stock?

[joed]

How does wood compare to a synthetic stock when it comes to accuracy? And are some synthetics better than others?

 

[adelbridge]

Accuracy is mostly dependent on a stable bedding.

 

[rcmodel]

IMO: It takes a very high dollar synthetic stock to beat a fairly decent and glass bedded & sealed wood or laminate stock.

See what the world record benchrest rifles are setting in.
http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek038.html

rc

 

[Outlaw Man]

Yeah, a good quality, properly finished, and properly bedded walnut or laminate stock tends to be a more accurate platform and at least as resistant to minor nicks and weather, not to mention better looking (in many people's opinion) than synthetic or fiberglass.

However, in most cases, they're not nearly as adjustable.

 

[DM~]

I noticed in the links provided, the one stock he uses isn't wood, and the wood stock isn't all wood.

From the link,

(quote) Joel notes: "The low-profile Leonard stock may track a bit better, but the Purple Borden racked up the lion's share of the points that won me the Shooter of the Year Title." (/quote)

Looks like the synthetic stock got him the most wins...

DM

 

[rcmodel]

Or, he had a better barrel, better cleaning regimen, better handmade bullets, better loading techniques, was a better shot that year, or got all favorable wind conditions every match?

There isn't enough difference between the best and worst benchrest shooters at that level to even guess which one had the best stock material.

rc

 

[Outlaw Man]

I'll freely admit he can use a synthetic stock and outshoot me with any wood stock.

 

[joed]

Thanks, I wondered about that for a long time. I always felt that a hardwood stock would be tough to beat but you keep seeing more and more synthetic stocks now.

 

[dubbleA]

How does wood compare to a synthetic stock when it comes to accuracy? And are some synthetics better than others?

The average wood stock is comparable to the average plastic stock. Notice I did not say synthetic which to me isn't a piece of injected plastic shaped like a gunstock. Like anything else there are run of the mill true synthetics and very high quality ones. Synthetics will need a proper bedding job to be a consistent shooter just as any wood stocked needs to be. Synthetics can be made heavy or lightweight and are impervious to most any condition. They are also generally stronger that wood. Of course laminates are somewhat strong but are heavy and do have weak points. You wont see any true lightweight rifles made with laminates. I am a true believer that you have many more positive attributes with a synthetic over wood but there is also a place for both. I enjoy both materials as well as aluminum chassis systems.

IMO: It takes a very high dollar synthetic stock to beat a fairly decent and glass bedded & sealed wood or laminate stock.

See what the world record benchrest rifles are setting in.
http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek038.html

rc

Funny you mention price in the first statement. That proclaimed record setting BR rifle is not wearing a typical $99 wood stock either. It's actually wood and carbon fiber

Here's a quote from another site.

Terry Leonard can be reached at (***) ***-****. Terry told us that a stock like this (tinted or natural wood colors) would typically run $1250.00 to $1300.00.

I am sure the bedding is extra $$$ also

Don't think is a fair comparison of a multi thousand dollar benchrest rifle which typically goes from the back of a Chevy Suburban to a covered shooting bench never seeing inclimate conditions and or weather to the average hunting rifle in which the OP was most likely talking about.

 

[MtnCreek]

but you keep seeing more and more synthetic stocks now

Cost? The synthetic stocks that come with the typical base model rifles are probably cheaper than wood stocks would be.

 

[Outlaw Man]

The synthetic stocks that come with the typical base model rifles are probably cheaper than wood stocks would be.

I'd be willing to wager that's exactly why you're seeing them more. Walnut isn't cheap.

 

[jmr40]

The accuracy potential is the same. But even cheap synthetics are more consistent, stronger and more stable. Wood will always expand and contract as environmental conditions and altitude change. There is simply no way to stop this, you can somewhat limit the effects, but not prevent it. The wood stock may well be just as accurate, but as the wood expands and contracts the POI will vary. Sometimes not enough to matter, other times by several inches.

Even the cheap factory stocks are far more functional than wood. If you move up to the higher end aftermarket synthetics the difference is huge. So is the price. Prices for anything decent is going to start at around $500 and $600-$700 is where you really see some advantages over factory.

One misconception is that all synthetics are lighter. Walnut stocks, cheap factory synthetics, and even high end fiberglass stocks are all about the same weight with walnut actually being slightly lighter most of the time. The budget aftermarket stocks selling for under $400 are the heaviest of all stocks, usually heavier than laminated wood. You don't get a lighter stock until you get into the $600 stocks made of Kevlar. Here you'll often see the stiffest materials and a stock that is often 12-16 oz lighter than other typical stocks.

 

[wyohome]

I'd be willing to wager that's exactly why you're seeing them more. Walnut isn't cheap.

Besides the material, I think that the labor was much more on my Kimber rifle stock than the labor cost to inspect a plastic molded part.