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Old March 6, 2012, 07:26 PM   #26
DanThaMan1776
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I'll cast my vote in favor of wood simply because I value the aesthetic features of a rifle and don't believe the difference in performance between wood and plastic to be anything more than marginal.
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Old March 6, 2012, 07:30 PM   #27
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Wood all the way.
But last year I picked up a Ruger 44/77. It was more of a “I need that” than anything else since I have this thing about 44’s. This is my first bolt action with a polymer stock. I really like this little sucker.
Ruger really has a way with building guns like the 77/44.

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Old March 6, 2012, 07:52 PM   #28
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FWIW the Brown Precision synthetic stock on my 700 BDL LH .270 is definitely lighter weight than the original walnut stock. I have two Browning Stainless Stalker rifles that have the original Browning (brand) synthetic stocks and 26" barrels. Both rifles seem lighter than they would be with walnut stocks. Synthetic will never look nicer than decent walnut.
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Old March 7, 2012, 07:23 AM   #29
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You dont see very many synthetics that are engraved and run in the $10k+ range. Nothing beats the beauty of a good piece of wood.
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Old March 7, 2012, 05:52 PM   #30
idnative1948
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Another wooder here. Just old school I guess.
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Old March 7, 2012, 07:52 PM   #31
Big Pard
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I prefer wood because it looks better (to me anyway) and I like how it feels especially over the "plastic" stocks that come on many rifles now. I will admit that I do like the good synthetic stocks like H-S precision and McMillian.
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Old March 8, 2012, 09:34 AM   #32
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Another thought...

A wood stock with a gloss finish is certainly more delicate than a matte or oiled finish. I far prefer an oiled finish over a glossy one. An oil finish is repairable with some fine abrassive (400 grit paper, 0000 steel wool,etc) to blend out the scratch, followed by oil, wax, or scratch hider. A high-gloss finish can not be fixed in this manner.

I have seen M1 Garands that went through combat service in WWII and Korea, and the stocks on those were not too bad. I don't see how hunting can be more abusive than combat.
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Old March 8, 2012, 09:54 AM   #33
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Quote:
You dont see very many synthetics that are engraved and run in the $10k+ range. Nothing beats the beauty of a good piece of wood.
Guess you have never seen a Legend rifle by D'Arcy Echols. 10K is about the starting point for one of his DG rifles. He does awesome work with wood as well.
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Old May 8, 2013, 06:58 AM   #34
jmw27403
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looking for synthetic stock

i have a interarms 7mm rem mag. it has a wood stock the previous owner didnt show it much love. i want to replace it with a synthetic stock. i have looked everywhere i can think of. i put an order in with ram-line firearms they seem to have their heads in there asses because i order it over 2 months ago they dont know where it is or when it can be shipped. so i am currently looking for a better dealer. if anyone know anyone give me a shout out. thanks
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Old May 8, 2013, 08:09 PM   #35
Kimber84
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Wood or polymer stock?

I love walnut, but I hate banging it up.. Lol... I've been going with the Kevlar stocks lately

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Old May 8, 2013, 09:48 PM   #36
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wood, looks better, feels better, and my dad used it my granddad used it and my great granddad used it. you gonna tell me all them guys were wrong. and can you honestly say that 40 yrs from now you are gonna hand your 40 yr old plastic rifle down to your grand kid and tell him look at this beauty they don't build them like this anymore.
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Old May 8, 2013, 09:50 PM   #37
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WOOD! 'Nuff said!
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Old May 8, 2013, 10:56 PM   #38
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Wood looks better but all my go to rifles are black plastic.
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Old May 9, 2013, 12:14 AM   #39
tahoe2
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wood & Blue

I prefer wood & blue, it's traditional and reminds me of a time when true craftsmen took the time to build and shape a fine instrument to perfection by hand, one at a time ( that's why I prefer older weapons).
However hunting in the coastal woods of western Washington I have come to appreciate a good synthetic stocked rifle.
But I also have a couple of laminate stocked rifles as well (best of both worlds).
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Old May 9, 2013, 02:02 PM   #40
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i like wood...but its so heavy. Most of my rifles have a polymer stock
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Old May 9, 2013, 02:54 PM   #41
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I like wood. Regular, nice, utility grade that I'm not to worried about a few scratches on.

IIRC, I saw that somebody makes a synthetic core inside a nice wood stock - best of both worlds.

...bug
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Old May 9, 2013, 09:53 PM   #42
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I really like the looks of wood,but have been hunting with kevlar stocks mainly.
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Old May 10, 2013, 02:01 AM   #43
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Plastic Heirloom?

I'll be d****d if anyone will inherit a plastic-stocked rifle from me!
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Old May 10, 2013, 02:22 AM   #44
Pathfinder45
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Plastic Heirloom?

I'll be d****d if anyone will inherit a plastic-stocked rifle from me!
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Old May 10, 2013, 07:23 AM   #45
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I prefer wood for how it feels against my face, and the elegance it imparts to blued rifles. If a stainless rifle, or one that sees more serious usage, then a nice plastic stock is ok. I only ever owned one really "quality" plastic stock, the one that came on my 40XB-KS. I don't know what brand it was.

Either is OK I guess.
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Old May 10, 2013, 07:51 AM   #46
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polymer isn't always lighter. I like the look of wood but I'd have to say that a synthetic material has the tactical advantage. Every tree is different. This means that wood stocks will vary in weight and density with each tree. Not consistent, it's the same with guitars, even identical model guitars will sound different and can weigh considerably different weights, for otherwise being identical. Polymer will be more stable in different weather conditions and should handle the barrel heating more tolerably.

On the other hand, I have heard accounts of certain wood stocked rifles being consistently more accurate than the same model with a polymer stock. This obviously isn't true for all rifles.
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Old May 10, 2013, 02:05 PM   #47
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Duplicate!!!
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Old May 10, 2013, 02:07 PM   #48
taylorce1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pathfinder45
I'll be d****d if anyone will inherit a plastic-stocked rifle from me!
My daughter will get a few with "Plastic Stocks" and I think most people would be proud to own these.

Kevin Weaver custom .338-06 Win M70 Classic SS with McMillan Hunters Edge stock and 2.5-8X36 Leupold VX3.


Win M70 Classic FWT .30-06 with McMillan Hunters Edge stock and 3-9X40 Leupold VX-II.


Win M70 EW .270 Win, B&C stock, and 6.5-20X44 PA Vortex Viper.


Here is one I already bought for her. Kevin Weaver custom Mini Mauser .250-3000, High Tech stock, 2-7X33 Leupold VX1 (not pictured).

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Old May 10, 2013, 02:24 PM   #49
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I have both. Prefer wood. As for polymer stocks lasting longer I have one rifle that is nearly 90 years old with a walnut stock that is as nice as new that would attest to the fact that for practical purposes this is a moot point.
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Old May 10, 2013, 02:49 PM   #50
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I've used both and have never had a problem with wood for over sixty years of hunting.
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