Factory synthetic vs laminated

Jevyod · December 12, 2013, 02:05 PM

I am looking at doing some work on my Ruger M77 MKII. I could never get it to shoot very well. Most of the time it is 1.5 @ 100 yards with a scope. I know for deer that is fine, but have been toying with the idea of using it for groundhogs. Anyway, I will be taking it to a gunsmith next week, and getting some trigger work done. I was also thinking of replacing the synthetic stock with a nice laminated one; (from Boyd's) and maybe getting it bedded. Is this a wise or not so wise idea? I would like a laminated stock simply because I like the way it looks with a stainless barrel. Or is there something else that I should be looking at doing? I do handload, and I think I am capable of shooting better than that! I have a 1951 Marlin 336 in 35 Rem that I can shoot .6 @ 100 yards and 1.3@ 200. Any thoughts, ideas? Thanks!
ps. It is a 260 Rem. And it is not the scope. I put a new Sightron SII on last year.

Wyosmith · December 12, 2013, 03:14 PM

I have had much better results with wood and laminates than I have with synthetics as a rule. The very best of the synthetics are good, but cost as much or more than the rifles that go into them and I don't believe they are really "better" then a good laminate.

HiBC · December 12, 2013, 04:27 PM

Seems like Ruger made a lot of rifles with laminate stocks.
I suspect some folks ,looking to reduce weight,may have restocked their Rugers with a synthetic stock.
Maybe if you do some searching,you can find a take-off.

semi_problomatic · December 12, 2013, 04:27 PM

Just putting a laminate stock on may or may not improve accuracy. Properly bedding either action will most likely help. Have you messed around with barrel harmonics at all?

I'm not saying putting a laminate stock on is a bad idea but either way you'll probably want the action bedded. If you free float the barrel or not is up to you, and there are a few tricks to see if that will help or not.

Also helps if your action is properly torqued, if the loads are developed for your rifle, if the scope is set up right.... There are many possibilities and it's best to try 1 at a time so you know what worked and how much it helped.

December 12, 2013, 02:05 PM	#1
Jevyod Senior Member Join Date: May 5, 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 172	Factory synthetic vs laminated I am looking at doing some work on my Ruger M77 MKII. I could never get it to shoot very well. Most of the time it is 1.5 @ 100 yards with a scope. I know for deer that is fine, but have been toying with the idea of using it for groundhogs. Anyway, I will be taking it to a gunsmith next week, and getting some trigger work done. I was also thinking of replacing the synthetic stock with a nice laminated one; (from Boyd's) and maybe getting it bedded. Is this a wise or not so wise idea? I would like a laminated stock simply because I like the way it looks with a stainless barrel. Or is there something else that I should be looking at doing? I do handload, and I think I am capable of shooting better than that! I have a 1951 Marlin 336 in 35 Rem that I can shoot .6 @ 100 yards and 1.3@ 200. Any thoughts, ideas? Thanks! ps. It is a 260 Rem. And it is not the scope. I put a new Sightron SII on last year.

December 12, 2013, 04:27 PM	#4
semi_problomatic Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Location: Ft. Polk Posts: 883	Just putting a laminate stock on may or may not improve accuracy. Properly bedding either action will most likely help. Have you messed around with barrel harmonics at all? I'm not saying putting a laminate stock on is a bad idea but either way you'll probably want the action bedded. If you free float the barrel or not is up to you, and there are a few tricks to see if that will help or not. Also helps if your action is properly torqued, if the loads are developed for your rifle, if the scope is set up right.... There are many possibilities and it's best to try 1 at a time so you know what worked and how much it helped. __________________ Freedom's just a word. If I'm gonna die for a word, my word is jello...

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December 12, 2013, 03:14 PM	#2
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	I have had much better results with wood and laminates than I have with synthetics as a rule. The very best of the synthetics are good, but cost as much or more than the rifles that go into them and I don't believe they are really "better" then a good laminate.

December 12, 2013, 04:27 PM	#3
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	Seems like Ruger made a lot of rifles with laminate stocks. I suspect some folks ,looking to reduce weight,may have restocked their Rugers with a synthetic stock. Maybe if you do some searching,you can find a take-off.