Synthetic or Wood

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 1:00 pm Post subject: Synthetic or Wood

Howdy. What do you prefer. I prefer synthetic i put it on whatever i can. Don't get me wrong a rifle with a fine piece of wood is very nice but i use my guns in all weather conditions . I don't have to worry about it swelling or scratchs. I do have a couple guns that have wood stocks but not many.

calsibley · Super Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 317

Hello Joe,

To each his own I guess. I probably could get used to synthetics if I weren't so stubborn. I have one, but you can't tell it from wood. It's a McMillan stock in what's called "fibergrain." My other 19 stocks are all wood, mostly walnut. I actually enjoy rubbing them down to produce a shine, nervous energy I imagine. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Coyote_Hunter_ · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood

Depends. I have three synthetic-stocked firearms (shotgun, muzzleloader, .300WM), one laminate, multiple other walnut. I like them all, but the laminate and wood are nicer to look at. But in the wet and mud nothing beats synthetic.

BillPa · Member Joined: Mar 17, 2005 Posts: 89

'morin Joe,
Some years ago, I was one of the few guys restocking rifles in 'glass when they first started hitting the market, so I have a biased opinoin.
All my working guns are in synthetic,'glass or kevlar. I have no time for the tupperware (molded plastic) stocks other than 2 piece for shotguns or singles like the NEFs'. Over the past few years, I've stuck with H&S for my Rems and Stockades (SSS) for the Savages. Never a worry with temperature or moisture and if I ding one, a little filler and paint its as good as new. Don't get me wrong, I like wood, but from a practical standpoint, synthetics eliminate a ton of problems.

Bill

Gil Martin · Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 10:57 am Post subject: It depends

I have two rifles with woodgrain synthetic stocks and I allow them to stay indoors. My preference is nice looking wood on a rifle or shotgun. All my wood stocks have been treated with boiled linseed oil and Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil inside and out. The rifles have been free-floated so swelling is a non-issue. They are impervious to water and weather. If I encounter harsh weather conditions, I field-strip the gun, dry it, lube it and put it back together.

It depends what you like and prefer. I checked the wood option. All the best...
Gil

grimel · Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 160

I prefer to look at wood and hunt with synthetics. I'll probably use my 30-06 until next spring with the wood stock (hope I don't scratch it too much). Who knows I might keep it in wood. I really like the feel of wood, but the durability of synthetics is just too overwhelming.

Knifeboy · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:30 am Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood

Well the wood has my vote I own a few of each, but I like my wood stocks quite a bit more. I also live in Arizona so the weather rarely causes any problems. I too have my barrels free floated so if by chance it did rain on my gun It wouldnt affect anything. I do like to hear the opinons on both ends though, its good information and I always seem to learn something from you guys.

Knifeboy

Blaine · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 260 Location: Maine

I agree that it is certainly a question of preference. I personally prefer the synthetics because then I don't have to be so careful about knicks and scratches. I usually take the wood stocks off my new guns and replace them with synthetic. I store the original stocks in my gun safe where they remain in pristine condition. All the best to you all.

Blaine

jimbowsai · Rookie Member Joined: Jan 31, 2005 Posts: 9

Synthetic with out a doubt. I remember when I first starting hunting, you would have been laughed out of deer camp for showing up with a synthetic stock. My, how times have changed.

calsibley · Super Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 317

With me the issue is winter, but from a diferent perspective. We usually put our firearms away in October, not shooting until the following April. That's a long haul. About mid-winter I haul them all out for an oiling to fight off rust to the weapons. Somehow it simply irks hell out of me to look in my gun cabinet and see plastic staring back at me. It's a personal thing I guess. If I could afford all new McMillan stocks I might change my mind. Walnut and laminates give me a nice warm, fuzzy feeling. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

7mmMagnum · Rookie Member Joined: Apr 07, 2005 Posts: 17

I prefer WOOD and don't care too much about some scratches or marks on them. I like the weight, fit,.. and feel of wood plus wood absorbs more recoil energy than your synthetics will.

I've tried synthetics and they just don't feel right to me,.. just boils down to personal preference. Cool

Vince · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:41 am Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood

Only have one synthetic stocked rifle, my .243 Weatherby. Don't mind the look of it, but nothing beats the look of a really nice piece of timber. All of my other guns have wood stocks..Walnut, and aussie Red Gum (a eucalypt) being my two favourites.
Run your hand over a synthetic stock then do the same with a wood one....no comparison. Bit like the difference between a store dummy and a fine woman.
Having said that, the synthetic stocks are the most versatile in the field, especially where rain etc is concerned.

I ticked both boxes.

Cheers, Vince

robfromaz1977 · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood

I LIKE THE LOOK AND FEEL OF A WOOD STOCK BETTER THAN A SYNTHETIC. I AM OK WITH 3 OF MY RIFLES HAVING SYTHETICS BUT WOULD LIKET TO SOMEDAY REPLACE THEM WITH A NICE WALNUT OR LAMINATED STOCK. I LIKE THE IDEA OF A LAMINATED STOCK BECAUSE THEY CAN TAKE THE ABUSE THAT A SYNTHETIC CAN AND LOOK ALOT BETTER. THEY DONT WARP AS EASY AS A REGULAR WOOD STOCK CAN AND YOU CAN FIND THEM IN DIFFERENT SHADES AND COLORS. LAMINATES ALSO MAKE A FOR A BETTER THUMBHOLE STOCK IF YOU LIKE THAT KIND OF THING.

Blaine · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 260 Location: Maine

I've had a change of heart on synthetic vs wood, at least to some degree. I decided to glass bed my 110 Savage action, and free float the barrel. The cheap synthetic I had on it did not lend itself to those operations easily. I re-installed the original wood stock after storing it for about 15 years. I've free floated the barrel and am waiting for a acraglas kit from Brownell's at this time. BTW, the gun looks brand new again. Razz

Blaine

Bushmaster · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood

Wood, traditional wood. It has been used for thousands of years and is still around serving as good as leather products for hunting and plunking....Yup I'm just a bit ol' fasioned...