Wood vs Synthetic stock

samuel · 05-08-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deersniper

Wood normally takes recoil better than Tupperware stocks. Wood has been used for along time. Laminates tend to warp easier than solid wood.

Light,cheap plastic stocks may have more recoil,but quality fiberglass and kevlar stocks arent any different than wood in the same weight class. sam.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deersniper

Wood normally takes recoil better than Tupperware stocks. Wood has been used for along time. Laminates tend to warp easier than solid wood.

I am not a real laminate fan because I like natural grain,but I have had laminates in pretty wet conditions and never noticed warpage problems.I have with natural grain wood.It depends on what they are primed with. sam.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefty o

also, many cheap synthetic stocks that come on rifles are no where near stable. some will warp worse than poorly sealed wood in a flood.

I agree.Get the cheap ones in cold or heat and check them out.They usually do ok at the range in good weather in the shade. sam.

Midas · 05-08-2008, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigEd63

True plus I've seen some synthetics warp from mild heat, like sunlight.

They can also compress from recoil to just like porrly cured or selected wood.

The worst have been synthetic stocks for "economy" models from various brands.

However a quality synthetic stock will not give you these problems.

Warped from sunlight? are you sure that the barrel didn't get a little hot from rapid shooting? a hot barrel will tend to "walk" and string shots, which is why free floating contributes to accuracy, it gets the hot barrel away from the stock. I will agree though, the cheap synthetic stocks that come on a lot of popular hunting rifles, are not very beneficial to one that is looking for pin point accuracy.

sc928porsche · 05-08-2008, 11:07 PM

Oh how I hate plastic! Have you ever noticed over the years how plastic becomes brittle and even starts to turn to powder over a few decades...I also gets this white film on it and unless you are real fond of armorall products they seem to deteriorate quicker. Fiberglass does the same thing only a bit slower. Give me the wood anyday. Yes, it can crack but seldom does if it was properly "seasoned" before it was picked for use. Yes, it can and will warp if not properly sealed. There are some beautiful firearms that have the original wood on them that are over 150 years old. I would say that that meets the test of time! And one last thing, when it gets scarred and scratched up, you can sand and refinish it.

BigEd63 · 05-08-2008, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midas

Warped from sunlight? are you sure that the barrel didn't get a little hot from rapid shooting? a hot barrel will tend to "walk" and string shots, which is why free floating contributes to accuracy, it gets the hot barrel away from the stock. I will agree though, the cheap synthetic stocks that come on a lot of popular hunting rifles, are not very beneficial to one that is looking for pin point accuracy.

No I'm 100% sure as the fellow that owned it was out on the same range, read cow pasture, with me in the Summer heat and it warped while laying in the Sun temp was in the 90's. He already had previous troubles with it but that was the last straw for him.

He's restocked it and has had no troubles since. The are some stocks that have real sorry thermal properties for whatever reason.

Rattle'em up · 05-09-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idaho Dave

I agree with AKH though I dont necessarily prefer one over the other I own a lot of guns some have wood and some have synthetic. aside from the weight difference, wood being noticable heavier after a few miles of walking, I find them both to be acceptable both have good points and bad. Wood is beautiful for sure specially if it is going to be over the mantel or in the gun safe. but I use my guns a lot and I have seen wood crack, never any of mine, and I have put some dings and scratches in wood stocks. and i have seen some ugly synthetics that should be cracked. as for recoil I have a savage in 300 win mag with a synthetic stock and a rugar in 300 mag with a laminate wood stock I cant tell the difference when shooting them as to one having greater recoil then the other. its a big caliber and both kick pretty good. the rugar is a beautiful weapon with its laminate stalk and ss barrel and action. but the first couple of scratches on that stock made me want to cry, as with any fine wood stock I have used. the Savage is light, looks good in all black, wont scratch or ding very easily and is pretty weather resistant and since most of our big game hunting is done in cold wet climate it definatly has a place. I also have shotguns in both and have not really noticed any recoil differences even shooting 3.5 mag loads. but of course these are just my personal experinces and oppinions

All my wood stocks have dings and scratches and each one brings back memories of days gone by. To me it gives the rifle it's own character I wouldn't have it any other way.

Regards,Rattle'em up

weldonhood · 12-23-2008, 02:42 AM

so what you are saying if the stock[synthetic] is on a high dollar firearm its better?? so i guess the mossberg 100 atr 243 is not worth buying because its cheep???

GotCoffee · 12-23-2008, 05:22 AM

[quote=Ron AKA;503072]First beauty is in the eye of the beholder. . ] I have 1 synthetic rifle and about 8 rifles with wood stocks. I prefer wood over the plastic. I noticed this year when hunting that plastic was really noisy when tall grass or branches rubbed the stock while walking thru the woods. Scratch the plastic on the side of the butt stock with your fingernails if you want to see for yourself. The sounds seem like they are amplified. Still like the gun though. I would say to each his own.

hickorynutk@win · 12-24-2008, 09:36 AM

I'm on the wood side, but then I am a cabinet maker by trade so I might be a little predgiduced toward a nice pice of wallnut vs a pice of plastic. As for warpage, it should be a non issue if the stock is sealed well if you have any doubts break it down and seal it inside and out with a good polyurethane. That will keep the wood very stable in any climite. As far as oil softening wood, I don't think so, I've seen old surpluse guns that were packed in grease for 40 years and the wood is as solid as the day it came off the tree. Just because it's a tool we use in the woods dosn't mean it can't be a thing of beauty and pride, ever hear anyone coment on how that plastic has such a nature flow from the forearm thru the grip and into the stock? I took a chopped Arisaka 99 and made it into a really nice deer rifle. I live in the deep southwere the humidity matches the tep. in the summer and have never had a problem. Also took it to S. Dak. this fall were it was dry and below freezing with no problem. You can build a custom stock from a piece of wood at home, can't do that with plastic.

TikkaTakDriver · 12-24-2008, 12:27 PM

If I was to buy a gun and anticipated it going thru a beating, I would get synthetic. If I was going to buy a bench or skeet/trap gun, I would get wood because it is better looking. My 870 has a wood stock and looks like it's got some wisdom from all the nicks and scratches. I saw some talk of which one is better for performance, i'm not very knowledgeable on that subject.

roverboy · 12-24-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billyz

Im gonna go with akh on this one. Sytnetic wont warp but god I love a nice wooden stock.

I'm gonna go with akh too.

Roshank · 12-24-2008, 06:15 PM

If you are collecting i would say wood it just looks better in my opinion, good synthetic though is great for hunting because it won't suck up water like wood can; but make sure that the stock has some weight to it dont get the light stocks, dont forget the laminated stocks either they are right inbetween wood and synthetic. The best part about wood though is all the little dings and scratches from using it.

TheBadger257 · 12-24-2008, 06:43 PM

I have my brand new Ruger Hawkeye wood satin finish droped in huge dip filled with water because the sling swivel didn't lock and came on done well i went back to my tree stand hung it upside down and let it drain out for 30 min and waiped out the action\chamber and loaded it again and 2 hours later a ten point was droped took the gun home and let it dry out for 5 hrs and when i came back in it was still a little damp so i took the action\barrel out of the stock and dried it out then cleaned everthing with hoppys and finish with breakfree clp and to the stock to the next day took it to my range and shot a three shot group nothing had changed right dead center .65 inch group the gun was soaking wet for 15 hours and nothing changed so it go to show you that if the stock is cared for and finshed right it will withstand the harshed of elements in PA 12 degrees with out the wind chill the gun was a frezepop all day not saying that it better than hs or hogue syn stock but i dont have to worrie about this one.

FortyXDM · 12-27-2008, 05:05 PM

Plastic is abrasive to the soul. Stainless if you must.....but I am pretty sure that the Lord intended us to use walnut and nicely blued steel.
Tom

JET1 · 12-27-2008, 05:20 PM

i personally think its foolish to argue the accuracy of either your going to find individual cases for each i personally use a composite stock on my hunting rilfe only casue i like not worrying about scratches i think wood looks the best and i believe all the 1000 yard winners iv seen on tv all had laminite stocks

JET1 · 12-27-2008, 05:21 PM

and who shoots deer off a bench ill be the first to admit that i dont shoot 2inch groups standing any gun will shoot better than i can make it when hunting

samuel · 12-27-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET1

and who shoots deer off a bench ill be the first to admit that i dont shoot 2inch groups standing any gun will shoot better than i can make it when hunting

Be verry careful!!! Honesty about shooting is seldom tolerated on this forum!!! sam.

sbowers5 · 12-27-2008, 08:35 PM

Sam you are killing me.

steve

SueMe · 12-27-2008, 08:43 PM

There are real beauties out there with wood stocks. I'm a hunter and the synthetic stock is lighter for hauling around. I don't spend much time looking at the guns beauty so I'll take the synthetic over the wood. Accuracy is the same. I have both.

The weatherby Mark V has awesome accuracy.

JET1 · 12-28-2008, 12:36 AM

lol thanks sam but at the same time i practice enough that i dont miss animals

RimfireSpaz · 01-04-2009, 12:26 AM

Wood or Synthetic? The questions really depends on what you consider best. Utility or aesthetic quality? The former may be more black and white. A quality synthetic stock is stronger, lighter, and impervious to being affected by weather. What does this mean? Unless you really don't like your rifle, you aren't going to break the stock, you will breathe a little easier when trekking over the next mountain in search of a bull elk, and no matter what climate you are in the point of impact will not change due to stock warpage. Wood stocked guns tend to recoil less because the wood is denser than the synthetic material(full length bedding blocks aside), do I really need to explain what a hevier stock does, I am not a physics teacher.

As far as which stock you think is prettier, well that is up to you.

05-08-2008, 11:07 PM	#23
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 425	Oh how I hate plastic! Have you ever noticed over the years how plastic becomes brittle and even starts to turn to powder over a few decades...I also gets this white film on it and unless you are real fond of armorall products they seem to deteriorate quicker. Fiberglass does the same thing only a bit slower. Give me the wood anyday. Yes, it can crack but seldom does if it was properly "seasoned" before it was picked for use. Yes, it can and will warp if not properly sealed. There are some beautiful firearms that have the original wood on them that are over 150 years old. I would say that that meets the test of time! And one last thing, when it gets scarred and scratched up, you can sand and refinish it. Last edited by sc928porsche; 05-08-2008 at 11:12 PM.

12-23-2008, 05:22 AM	#27
GotCoffee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central Western S.DAK. Posts: 1,781	[quote=Ron AKA;503072]First beauty is in the eye of the beholder. . ] I have 1 synthetic rifle and about 8 rifles with wood stocks. I prefer wood over the plastic. I noticed this year when hunting that plastic was really noisy when tall grass or branches rubbed the stock while walking thru the woods. Scratch the plastic on the side of the butt stock with your fingernails if you want to see for yourself. The sounds seem like they are amplified. Still like the gun though. I would say to each his own. __________________ "Decaffeinated coffee is kind of like kissing your sister" ~ Bob Irwin

12-24-2008, 09:36 AM	#28
hickorynutk@win Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Box Springs Ga. next to Fort Benning Posts: 85	I'm on the wood side, but then I am a cabinet maker by trade so I might be a little predgiduced toward a nice pice of wallnut vs a pice of plastic. As for warpage, it should be a non issue if the stock is sealed well if you have any doubts break it down and seal it inside and out with a good polyurethane. That will keep the wood very stable in any climite. As far as oil softening wood, I don't think so, I've seen old surpluse guns that were packed in grease for 40 years and the wood is as solid as the day it came off the tree. Just because it's a tool we use in the woods dosn't mean it can't be a thing of beauty and pride, ever hear anyone coment on how that plastic has such a nature flow from the forearm thru the grip and into the stock? I took a chopped Arisaka 99 and made it into a really nice deer rifle. I live in the deep southwere the humidity matches the tep. in the summer and have never had a problem. Also took it to S. Dak. this fall were it was dry and below freezing with no problem. You can build a custom stock from a piece of wood at home, can't do that with plastic. Attached Thumbnails

12-27-2008, 05:20 PM	#34
JET1 Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Alberta Posts: 235	i personally think its foolish to argue the accuracy of either your going to find individual cases for each i personally use a composite stock on my hunting rilfe only casue i like not worrying about scratches i think wood looks the best and i believe all the 1000 yard winners iv seen on tv all had laminite stocks Last edited by JET1; 12-27-2008 at 05:23 PM.

12-27-2008, 08:35 PM	#37
sbowers5 Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: sawyer, ok Posts: 1,082	Sam you are killing me. steve __________________ For those who never fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know.

12-23-2008, 02:42 AM	#26
weldonhood Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1	so what you are saying if the stock[synthetic] is on a high dollar firearm its better?? so i guess the mossberg 100 atr 243 is not worth buying because its cheep???

12-24-2008, 12:27 PM	#29
TikkaTakDriver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: La Grange, NC Posts: 144 Images: 3	If I was to buy a gun and anticipated it going thru a beating, I would get synthetic. If I was going to buy a bench or skeet/trap gun, I would get wood because it is better looking. My 870 has a wood stock and looks like it's got some wisdom from all the nicks and scratches. I saw some talk of which one is better for performance, i'm not very knowledgeable on that subject.

12-24-2008, 06:15 PM	#31
Roshank Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: South Dakota Posts: 69	If you are collecting i would say wood it just looks better in my opinion, good synthetic though is great for hunting because it won't suck up water like wood can; but make sure that the stock has some weight to it dont get the light stocks, dont forget the laminated stocks either they are right inbetween wood and synthetic. The best part about wood though is all the little dings and scratches from using it.

12-24-2008, 06:43 PM	#32
TheBadger257 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: On the grassy knoll Posts: 105	I have my brand new Ruger Hawkeye wood satin finish droped in huge dip filled with water because the sling swivel didn't lock and came on done well i went back to my tree stand hung it upside down and let it drain out for 30 min and waiped out the action\chamber and loaded it again and 2 hours later a ten point was droped took the gun home and let it dry out for 5 hrs and when i came back in it was still a little damp so i took the action\barrel out of the stock and dried it out then cleaned everthing with hoppys and finish with breakfree clp and to the stock to the next day took it to my range and shot a three shot group nothing had changed right dead center .65 inch group the gun was soaking wet for 15 hours and nothing changed so it go to show you that if the stock is cared for and finshed right it will withstand the harshed of elements in PA 12 degrees with out the wind chill the gun was a frezepop all day not saying that it better than hs or hogue syn stock but i dont have to worrie about this one.

12-27-2008, 05:05 PM	#33
FortyXDM Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Gladstone, Mo. (kc area) Posts: 3,659	Plastic is abrasive to the soul. Stainless if you must.....but I am pretty sure that the Lord intended us to use walnut and nicely blued steel. Tom

12-27-2008, 05:21 PM	#35
JET1 Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Alberta Posts: 235	and who shoots deer off a bench ill be the first to admit that i dont shoot 2inch groups standing any gun will shoot better than i can make it when hunting

12-27-2008, 08:43 PM	#38
SueMe Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pine River ,Minnesota Posts: 48	There are real beauties out there with wood stocks. I'm a hunter and the synthetic stock is lighter for hauling around. I don't spend much time looking at the guns beauty so I'll take the synthetic over the wood. Accuracy is the same. I have both. The weatherby Mark V has awesome accuracy.

12-28-2008, 12:36 AM	#39
JET1 Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Alberta Posts: 235	lol thanks sam but at the same time i practice enough that i dont miss animals

01-04-2009, 12:26 AM	#40
RimfireSpaz Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Somewhere eastern washington Posts: 290 Images: 10	Wood or Synthetic? The questions really depends on what you consider best. Utility or aesthetic quality? The former may be more black and white. A quality synthetic stock is stronger, lighter, and impervious to being affected by weather. What does this mean? Unless you really don't like your rifle, you aren't going to break the stock, you will breathe a little easier when trekking over the next mountain in search of a bull elk, and no matter what climate you are in the point of impact will not change due to stock warpage. Wood stocked guns tend to recoil less because the wood is denser than the synthetic material(full length bedding blocks aside), do I really need to explain what a hevier stock does, I am not a physics teacher. As far as which stock you think is prettier, well that is up to you.