Stock questions

Old Soul · December 23, 2004, 09:08 PM

Would like to know pros and cons of laminated stock versus synthentic and differences between laminated and regular hardwood stock as far as construction of the two.

bill k · December 23, 2004, 09:46 PM

My opinion only, but from what I've heard laminated stocks can warp. I have a Remington VLS, it's never warped and I love the rifle. Synthetic stocks tend to be more accurate, in my case my VLS is the most accurate I own. I prefer wood over synthetics, symply because wood is better looking. Synthetics are lighter, after a day in the field the extra pound makes a difference.

scottys1 · December 24, 2004, 01:10 AM

Anything made from wood can warp. Laminated stocks are made from layers of wood (like plywood) with the grain of each layer running in a different direction. Therefore, a laminated stock is much less likely to warp than one made from solid wood.
Synthetic stocks can vary widely in quality from cheap injection molded stocks that are quite flexible to expensive fiberglass or other materials that are very rigid and tough.

cntryboy1289 · December 24, 2004, 02:13 AM

A lot of people believe that their synthetic or fiberglass stocks can't warp due to the weather, but they are very wrong in this belief. Any stock can and will warp. The difference is just how much they will. A wood stock can change POI if it is left touching the barrel and the stock warps in that direction. If it is free floated, it may just let you get away with a little warp. Like earlier stated, the laminated stocks ten to warp less than a normal wooden stock because of the way the layers are stacked up. You can get a good piece of Walnut that won't warp very much if you check it to make sure the grain is very straight to begin with. Synthetic and fiberglass and rubber overmoulded stocks can and will warp due to heat and moisture. Don't believe me, try this one. Lean the gun against the wall with the barrel leaned over at about a 45 degree angle outside on a hot day or a very rainy day. If you let it sit there for any length of time and check the forearm, you might just see that it has moved one way or the other just like that of a wood stock. It normally does and most folks just never notice a change in POI, but it still can and will move.

December 23, 2004, 09:08 PM	#1
Old Soul Junior Member Join Date: December 23, 2004 Posts: 4	Stock questions Would like to know pros and cons of laminated stock versus synthentic and differences between laminated and regular hardwood stock as far as construction of the two.

December 24, 2004, 02:13 AM	#4
cntryboy1289 Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2004 Location: Ms Posts: 1,160	Any stock can warp A lot of people believe that their synthetic or fiberglass stocks can't warp due to the weather, but they are very wrong in this belief. Any stock can and will warp. The difference is just how much they will. A wood stock can change POI if it is left touching the barrel and the stock warps in that direction. If it is free floated, it may just let you get away with a little warp. Like earlier stated, the laminated stocks ten to warp less than a normal wooden stock because of the way the layers are stacked up. You can get a good piece of Walnut that won't warp very much if you check it to make sure the grain is very straight to begin with. Synthetic and fiberglass and rubber overmoulded stocks can and will warp due to heat and moisture. Don't believe me, try this one. Lean the gun against the wall with the barrel leaned over at about a 45 degree angle outside on a hot day or a very rainy day. If you let it sit there for any length of time and check the forearm, you might just see that it has moved one way or the other just like that of a wood stock. It normally does and most folks just never notice a change in POI, but it still can and will move.

December 23, 2004, 09:46 PM	#2
bill k Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2004 Location: Dog Creek, CA Posts: 457	My opinion only, but from what I've heard laminated stocks can warp. I have a Remington VLS, it's never warped and I love the rifle. Synthetic stocks tend to be more accurate, in my case my VLS is the most accurate I own. I prefer wood over synthetics, symply because wood is better looking. Synthetics are lighter, after a day in the field the extra pound makes a difference.

December 24, 2004, 01:10 AM	#3
scottys1 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2004 Posts: 316	Anything made from wood can warp. Laminated stocks are made from layers of wood (like plywood) with the grain of each layer running in a different direction. Therefore, a laminated stock is much less likely to warp than one made from solid wood. Synthetic stocks can vary widely in quality from cheap injection molded stocks that are quite flexible to expensive fiberglass or other materials that are very rigid and tough.