Synthetic or Wood?

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 9:17 am Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood?

My two Brownings (.30-06 and 12 ga. Side by side BSS) both have real nice wood with good figure. But they are scratched from being used in the field and woods. I bought them to hunt with. I also expected to scratch them. It gives them character. My ol "Jack Handle" (.30-30) is 58 years old. I've had it sense I was 18. You can bet it has seen a lot of Northwest woods and many a Sierra hunt to boot. Has been scratched so much that you can't see the scratches anymore. Been offered $400 for it scratches an all. I paid $50 and an old Hopkins & Allen single shot 12 ga. Dimascus twist with the bead 1/4 inch off center. So scratches really don't matter. At least not to me. My hand guns are a mixture of nickled and blue with a mixture of wood, plastic and rubber grips as needed for the service that they are intended for.

george20042007 · Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 2:38 am Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood?

That does it Bushy, you're straining our friendship Fencing

I would have bought you one Shocked

Keep it coming...

Bushmaster · Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 7:53 am Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood?

What? Bought me what? I could use a new rifle. You going to be my new gun benifactor? I'll follow you anywhere.....Goodby 10ring...

Flint54 · Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood?

Synthetic or Wood, IMO it depends on the use of and the conditions the firearm is to be used in. I LOVE Wood Stocks, they are the most beautiful and pleasing both in looks and feel. I hate taking a beautiful piece of wood into my hunting areas as it seems to get many character marks. So I have synthetic for out in the field except on my shotguns. Also on my target/benchrest firearms, wood will just not allow the accuracy these firearms are capable of, if it would then there would be no synthetics.

So in a nutshell they both have there nitch. Cool

Crackshot · Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:59 am Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood?

I love wood as well, But , like Flint 54 said its not very freindly to accuracy at times, However, on some rifles its not important to shoot good, just look great! I have a 1903 springfield that was very ugly when purchased, I removed the stock and hand gaurds, sanded, filled and applied 3 coats of linspeed oil, Then 5 coats of clear polyurethane(wet sanding between coats). WOW its almost a work of art.....

Deleted_User_2665 · Super Member Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 380

I just don't get some of these opinions.....I own zero synthetics. Most of my woodstocks are of my own making. Actions are bedded, bolts are pillared, and barrels are floated.

Barrel channels are sealed, grip caps and recoil pads are epoxied on...checkering is sealed, the finish of the stock consists of 30 or so coats of Tru-Oil....

Those for the wet conditions.....

......get a yearly coat of paste wax.......I have Zero accuracy complaints that can't be fixed with a tuned load, better trigger or scope...I can't fathom a rifle that's not sub MOA.......

bonita · Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 10:27 am Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood?

I just bought a Savage 12 with varmint contour barrel in 204 Ruger. It came with either wood or syn. I opted for the syn., my thought was to save weight. I thought the gun was heavy enough without wood. I plan to use it as a walking varminter/coyote buster. The synthetic stock feels fine, saves weight, won't tweek in moisture, cold or other wise, and the gun shoots great. I don't know how many of you are bench-resters, but if synthetic can improve a rifles performance by controling conditions caused be the elements, I'm all for it.

rrogacki · Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: Synthetic or Wood?

I like wood. It looks good, feels good and makes the firearm a piece of art. Synthetic stocks are plain, cold and utilitarian. Definetly not what I want in a rifle, but then again, everyone has their own preferences.