Wood vs Synthetic for stocks

[Prion]

I understand wood is effected by weather more than synthetic. How much so? I live in the northeast, land of extreme weather. Cold and dry in the winter, hot, humid, and rainy in the summer. I like the look of wood but am curious about how it effects a rifle. I own synthetics but no wood so I can't compare.

 

[Onmilo]

There are synthetic stocks on the market now that mimic the look, but not feel, of real wood.

The best way to solve this dilemma is to buy a synthetic stock for hard weather hunting and buy a nicer wood stock for displaying and admiring the rifle.

 

[ArmedBear]

This guy's in Maine.

 

[Horsemany]

Onmilo has the right idea. I'm a wood guy myself but I mostly hunt with synthetics. Some of the better synthetics fiberglass with spiderwebbing patterns are more ridgid and look as good as wood IMO. I have enough guns I don't need to drag the nice walnut through the sticks anymore.

 

[klcmschlesinger]

Laminant wood

You could try the laminated wood stocks. They are much more weather resistant, but heavier as well.
I personally like synthetics as I have a tendency to scratch and ding a hunting weapon. I don't want to have to baby it, I want to hunt with it.

 

[briansmithwins]

Living in Oregon, if it can't take the wet, I'm not interested.

I like the look of laminated wood, but synthetics are ok too. BSW

 

[ar10]

Wood will always expand and contract depending on the heat and moisture. Dried wood can absorb 6 to 10% moisture on the average and that's what it's supposed to do. That's one reason a floating barrel has the space between the stock and barrel. I love wood stocks and am making a couple. I have two blanks I picked up at a sawmill last year that I'm air drying. They'll probably be ready some time next winter.