I like wood and blued steel myself. They are just beautiful pieces of art along with being a firearm. Synthetic does nothing for me but it does have its ups. Some laminate and stainless guns are pleasing to look at too. I would take laminate over synthetic myself.
Wood rifle stock fans speak up!
- Thread starter elktrout
- Start date
- Status
doubleh
Member
Wood stocks, even with plain wood look good. The more figure in the wood the better they look. If the stock is properly finished moisture isn't much of a problem.
I've never seen a plastic/polymer stock that deserved a second look.
I've bought a few rifles with synthetic stocks over the years. First order of business was to see if it would shoot half way decent. If no, it went back. If yes, the next order of business was to build a wood stock for it. Yes, I enjoy building stocks.
I'll admit to still having one rifle with a synthetic stock. I bought it for my grandson/coyote hunting partner to shoot when he was still in school and he wanted to camo wrap it. Can't tell the difference with the wrap on it and he's happy with it.
I've never seen a plastic/polymer stock that deserved a second look.
I've bought a few rifles with synthetic stocks over the years. First order of business was to see if it would shoot half way decent. If no, it went back. If yes, the next order of business was to build a wood stock for it. Yes, I enjoy building stocks.
I'll admit to still having one rifle with a synthetic stock. I bought it for my grandson/coyote hunting partner to shoot when he was still in school and he wanted to camo wrap it. Can't tell the difference with the wrap on it and he's happy with it.
Sav .250
Member
Plastic/ composite/what ever: cheaper to make. Advancement in tech. Few if any real problems. Money talks.
Wood .Been here since day one. Think of how many weapons have wood stocks, grips. Problems? Some. Longevity? When taken care of.....who knows.
Wood .Been here since day one. Think of how many weapons have wood stocks, grips. Problems? Some. Longevity? When taken care of.....who knows.
Count me in for nice looking wood or laminate. Some wood looks cheap and like plastic, so that is not so great. A plastic stock on a bolt action does not work for me at all, although it is functional. Maybe if I trashed my guns or used them harder I would appreciate the durability of synthetic stocks.
I bought my first synthetic after I scratched the stock of a brand new shotgun. I hunted elk in November in terrible wet cold weather and the swap to stainless and synthetic in my primary hunting rifle was all about that.
I have since learned to refinish wood
I like them both, but some things (like synthetic on a lever gun) just should not be.
I can't imagine my 1903a3 with a plastic stock, nor my muzzle loader.
I have since learned to refinish wood
I like them both, but some things (like synthetic on a lever gun) just should not be.
I can't imagine my 1903a3 with a plastic stock, nor my muzzle loader.
There's something though about a nicely painted or gel-coated synthetic stock. Not so much what comes out of factories, but the custom work done by artistic gunsmiths. The BR type stocks come to mind.
Some of the laminated wood ones look fine too, depending on the species used for the layering.
But my preference is still natural wood; I own none of the synthetics or laminates.
Some of the laminated wood ones look fine too, depending on the species used for the layering.
But my preference is still natural wood; I own none of the synthetics or laminates.
Last edited:
I have a couple laminated stocks, one an oft repaired warhorse on a Kar98k. That's a completely different animal.
PJSprog
Member
The only synthetic I own is an AK. Everything else is real wood. I like the look. I like the artistry.
content
Member
We better stop praising wood or all the nice grain will be jumping off the shelves.
Lets praise wood in ...say 28years...I'm 52, now might be sellin instead of buyin then.
My 1968, Remington 760 BDL in .30-06 is by far my most used hunting rifle.
The pic is kind,,,it has several mementos from hunting/shooting on both stocks and metal....Does not bother me at all.
What always bothered me about this rifle.
Is that some dilettante at Remington, could have at least tried to match the shoulder stock and forearm colors better,,, on a BDL.:banghead:
I still think is a puuurrrty hunting rifle.
Lets praise wood in ...say 28years...I'm 52, now might be sellin instead of buyin then.
My 1968, Remington 760 BDL in .30-06 is by far my most used hunting rifle.
The pic is kind,,,it has several mementos from hunting/shooting on both stocks and metal....Does not bother me at all.
What always bothered me about this rifle.
Is that some dilettante at Remington, could have at least tried to match the shoulder stock and forearm colors better,,, on a BDL.:banghead:
I still think is a puuurrrty hunting rifle.
I have two hunting rifles with synthetic stocks, but one also has an off-season fancy wood stock that is used for 11 months of the year. Both stocks shoot to the same POI and have the same accuracy level. Just luck? Maybe, but I love it!
The other one is a .243 Win, Tikka T3 Lite that's my walkabout varmint rifle. Lightness is the prime virtue of that one.
All the rest have wood stocks and are every bit as accurate, but prettier and pillar-bedded and sealed against moisture inside and out.
The other one is a .243 Win, Tikka T3 Lite that's my walkabout varmint rifle. Lightness is the prime virtue of that one.
All the rest have wood stocks and are every bit as accurate, but prettier and pillar-bedded and sealed against moisture inside and out.
WestKentucky
Member
For pretty, I buy blue and wood. For function I buy parked and synthetic. For both I buy stainless and synthetic. It's all aesthetics.
788Ham
Member
I've got 2 Savage 99's, one form '47, it has seen some dandy snow storms in its time, still a beauty. The other is another '99, 250, 48' model, still as pretty as when bought. About 7 other wood stocked rifles and shotguns, not a synthetic one on the ranch !
sayak
Member
How do you aim that 48' model? ;-)
Edster12
Member
Jon_Snow
Member
javjacob said:
I haven't seen many good write-ups of hydro-dipped stocks so I'll post a thread about it when it comes back.
788Ham
Member
Sayak,
With the front and rear sights like all rifles, the "'48" model was the year it was made, stay with us, stay with us !
With the front and rear sights like all rifles, the "'48" model was the year it was made, stay with us, stay with us !
Tn Tom
Member
I always had a poo poo attitude about plastics and lam's until I fitted a .220Rocket M77 into a laminate and the gun never moved. dont care too much for the looks of the laminate stock but for overall performance it really is my choice for predictability.
handloader357
Member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2010
- Messages
- 156
Ive only ever hunted with wood stocked rifles. Last few hunts ive went on were with my pride and joy... A pre 64 model 70 featherweight that my dad hunted with most of his life. I have no idea how many miles are on that gun and it still functions perfectly! Dad tells me his secret is wax. Whether it be actual gun stock wax or automotive turtle wax... It must work!
Synthetic has its purposes, i have some evil black rifles and like them just fine. But the feel and balance of a real wood stock cant be duplicated.
Synthetic has its purposes, i have some evil black rifles and like them just fine. But the feel and balance of a real wood stock cant be duplicated.
sayak
Member
Ha ha!
- Status
