Wood Vs Composite Stock

[BobJohansen]

On a backpack hunt what is your preference on stock material of your rifle?

 

[Mark]

I've got both. If I had to choose I prefer synthetic only because of durability but I've used my wood for many years without fail.

 

[CrossCreeks]

For extended hunts in rough conditions I like the synthetic stocks !

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I own both. The rifles all shoot great so usually accuracy is not an issue, except for one situation. In humid or rainy wet weather, I'll take the composite over wood any day because wood swells when wet and this can effect accuracy.

I made wood stocks for 50 years and love the look of fine wood figure and grain. But really nice wood is getting really pricey and hard to find. I personally think composites are the future of gunstocks.

 

[stevevan]

Nothing nicer than an attractive, well executed wood stock. Having said that when going on an extended hunt such as the backpack style hunt you mention I'll choose synthetic every time. To qualify that it has to be a good composite and NOT one of the cheap Tupperware injected mold type stocks that come on cheap factory rifles. To further protect the rifle I'd go beyond the stock and make sure the metal is protected. If possible a good Cerakote finish is about the best there is right now that can be done at a reasonable price. If looking for a type finish you apply yourself to the metal that is simple, doesn't cost too much, and gives great protection for a hunt try "BOESHIELD" available from Brownells. Comes in a bottle, just apply with cloth, let it dry, and wipe. Really great. It works as I've used it on shotguns in fowl duck hunting weather and rifles under snowy, wet conditions and it does protect your metal from any rust forming.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Most of the time wood is fine, but do you want to prepare for "most of the time"? I once missed a stone ram and I believe the wood stock took on water in the wet conditions.

 

[Tim McCoy]

For me, composite stocks are for serious hunting and accuracy work. Manners, HS Precision, McMillian are among some good ones. Tough to beat basically inert material for a stock. Wood is so nice to look at and hold, OK for easy hunts, say out of a truck with short stalks for cow elk. You can remove a wood stock and seal the heck out of it and be OK most of the time...not good enough for me if looking for a mature rack while out actually hunting.

 

[libidilatimmy]

Wood stocks will always get wear on them if you take them afield. Might just be a knick here and there but it adds up. Don't get me wrong, I love the looks of a beautifully figured wood stock, but if it's going to be a working rifle, I'd go with a synthetic.

 

[tmitch]

On a backpack hunt, I say synthetic all the way. Get a good one though if you can. A lot of factory synthetic stock are super flimbsy and the forearm can flex. A good bed job can help this a bit though. Still better than wood in this situation, in my opinion.

 

[bigshot]

synthetic all the way, if I had to go wood I would get a laminated stock. They are tougher than plain wood stocks, and feel just as good.

 

[Paul Anthony Gomez]

I pick synthetic every time. If i drop wood it can crack and end my hunt. Synthetic seems to hold up well as others have dropped mine on rocks and concrete. I also don't have to worry about moisture affecting the stock.


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[badgerbob]

Although I love wood, I tend to agree that a synthetic stock is more trouble free. Does anyone know if the laminate stocks are a legitimate compromise? That is my belief, but I don't know for sure. Have a laminate on my varmint rifle, 204 Ruger, and like it fine. I've never used it in harsh weather though.

 

[johnsd16]

Although I love wood, I tend to agree that a synthetic stock is more trouble free. Does anyone know if the laminate stocks are a legitimate compromise? That is my belief, but I don't know for sure. Have a laminate on my varmint rifle, 204 Ruger, and like it fine. I've never used it in harsh weather though.

Depends on the laminate, but the idea is that the wood is impregnated so it cannot take on moisture. They are more durable in terms of withstanding a shock and not fracturing for the same reason. I do not have any on my hunting rifles because they tend to be very heavy. I for one do not find that the feel of laminate is the same as wood. I like a wood stock for the cosmetics and feel, but laminate does not carry the same traits despite the look. I much prefer a synthetic stock for the purposes of a hunting rifle that will see a variety of weather. With the wide variety of high quality synthetics available today, most can find something that is aesthetically pleasing. I just need more $$$$ so I can swap out more to the good stuff (HS, McMillan, etc).

 

[Sawfish]

synthetic all the way, if I had to go wood I would get a laminated stock. They are tougher than plain wood stocks, and feel just as good.

My preference is laminate. Synthetics are cold to the touch in cold weather, and there is no such thing as reasonably priced figured walnut. A few years ago, I did some work with a speargun manufacturer, who was contemplating marketing a laminated speargun. He secured some laminate samples and boiled them for four hours to test durability! No swelling, cracking, or delamination. That's durable! The only drawback is that laminated stocks are generally heavier than wood, or synthetic stocks. Alas, life is full of compromises.

 

[Sawfish]

Nothing nicer than an attractive, well executed wood stock. Having said that when going on an extended hunt such as the backpack style hunt you mention I'll choose synthetic every time. To qualify that it has to be a good composite and NOT one of the cheap Tupperware injected mold type stocks that come on cheap factory rifles. To further protect the rifle I'd go beyond the stock and make sure the metal is protected. If possible a good Cerakote finish is about the best there is right now that can be done at a reasonable price. If looking for a type finish you apply yourself to the metal that is simple, doesn't cost too much, and gives great protection for a hunt try "BOESHIELD" available from Brownells. Comes in a bottle, just apply with cloth, let it dry, and wipe. Really great. It works as I've used it on shotguns in fowl duck hunting weather and rifles under snowy, wet conditions and it does protect your metal from any rust forming.

BOESHIELD was developed by Boeing for use in the aerospace industry as a protective coating against moisture/rust. When used as directed, it is very effective. I treated a SAKO .375 H & H and used it on a black bear hunt in Alaska a few years back. After a week of hunting from a skiff with daily salt spray baths, the SAKO was rust free. Three other hunters using Rugers and a Blaser with less effective protective coatings developed a fine red patina of rust on their guns by the end of the hunt. I have also used BOESHIELD on dive knives in the Caribbean for up to ten days without retreating. The knives remained free of rust despite the humid climate and repeated dunking in the Caribbean Sea.

 

[Slugz]

Synthetic.....second the H&S or Manners. Tough to beat their out if the box accuracy.

 

[drifli]

I have hunted with wood for over 25 years and just can't bring myself to go to any other stock material. I love SpeyFishing and when they started using fake cork on certain portions of the rods it still feelt wrong, but boy do I love my burkheimer Spey rods.

 

[dan maule]

I have used both and for me synthetic is better. I don't like to be worrying about my gun and using synthetics just gives me one less thing to freak out about. I love the look of wood stocks and l hate beating them up.