Author Topic: Wood or synthetic? Does it make a difference? (Read 1216 times)

BoneDigger · « **on:** January 14, 2005, 06:19:49 AM »

I am considering purchasing a Savage 10/110 and can't decide if I should pay the extra $50 for the wood stock. Aside from looks does it make a difference? I know wood is supposed to be a little stiffer than plastic, but can it actually make a difference in shooting. I read somwewhere that the Savage synthetic stocks have a tendancy to give too much when shooting, but I wouldn't think it would be a big difference with the 7mm-08 I am considering.

Any ideas?

Todd

Bart Solo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2005, 06:24:05 AM »

I personally prefer wood, but I have read that the synthetic stocks have real advantages. If the $50 means the difference between buying a rifle and not remember that you can always restock later on if you decide you don't like the synthetic.

Fullchoke · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2005, 06:34:16 AM »

I agree with Ron Byers. I hate synthetic stocks, but supposedly they do have advantages. I think it probably makes a big difference on what your intended uses for the rifle are. If you live in climate where the hunting season is normally wet, a synthetic stock might make sense. On the other hand if you live and hunt in Arizona, the aestehtic value of the wood stock is worth the $50. (to me)

BoneDigger · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2005, 06:42:29 AM »

Thanks guys for the replies. I live in east Texas and yes it can get rather wet at times. The biggest advantage of the synthetic that I can see is that it is basically scratch resistant. I hunt a lot of woods with briars and I'm not the best at taking care of my guns (of course I clean them, but they often get scratched). I have a Browning BAR that I love but it has scratches all over it now.

My biggest concern is with how the gun shoots. Would wood make for a better shooting, more accurate gun than synthetic?

Todd

Shamus99 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2005, 07:12:27 AM »

Actually it's usually just the opposite BoneDigger.

Good synthetic stocks that don't have too much flex in them will enhance accuracy. The highest end synthetics ($250 and up) are very rigid and have features built into them to aid with consistency and accuracy. Also, because the synthetic is not going to swell/shrink depending on the weather, they put consistent pressure on the various parts of the rifle.

Whether it's warmer, cooler, drier or wetter than when you sighted the rifle in, wood does react. It can be minimized but wood is not usually accuracy's friend in 'off' weather.

A middle ground if you like the look and feel of wood but want something that won't shift your accuracy around on a whim is laminated wood stocks. They are very unique and can be very pretty. Since they are made of laminated strips of wood and sealed with resin/glue - they are far less effected by weather. Plus, there's a company thats now making laminated stocks that look like regular high end wood stocks because of how they place their lamination layers, and they are gorgeous ( www.serengetistockworks.com picture here www.serengetistockworks.com/glryimages/DonClark1.jpg)

Wood can be very pretty, but so is a good synthetic in it's own way. It's just a preference thing. Some of my rifles are synthetic, some wood, some laminated wood, some stainless, others blued or parkerized. Some look almost too beautiful to take into the woods, others look like they are tougher than granite. Different looks and feels for different tools. Some guys like 12 coats of black lacquer on an Impala, others think perfect flat black primer is just as pretty in a different way.

Having said all this, I can think of no reason to spend one extra dollar for one of Savage's "walnut finished HARDWOOD " stocks. I think the series you're looking at only comes in birch, but I could be wrong. I mean, if you want the look of pretty wood, you'll want to buy the cheapest Savage variant (synthetic or birch) and go buy a nice prefinished stock from someone, or unfinished stock from someplace like Richard's Microfits (www.rifle-stocks.com).

Anyway, that's my buck-fifties worth - good luck![/b]

lilabner · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2005, 07:27:31 AM »

I held out for nicely figured walnut stocks for years. Thought the synthetics were ugly and I would never own a gun with one. I changed my mind after a favorite rifle changed point of impact after hunting in rain and wet snow. That is one advantage of the synthetics -they are stable. The other is they can take a beating and bad weather without looking the worse for wear. Where accuracy is concerned, a glass bedded, free floated wood stock will shoot very well and a polyurathane wood finish will keep moisture out. You still have to check to be sure the forend doesn't warp and make barrel contact, though.

Shamus99 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2005, 08:13:28 AM »

One thing to remember also is that not all synthetic stocks are created equal. Too much flex results in weird harmonics and the barrel touching the stock during firing. From what I've gleaned it seems that stiffer is better. Savage stocks seem to be known for being perhaps a bit too flexible, but I don't know from first hand experience.

I do know which synthetic is stiffest if you grab a Remington a Savage and a Tikka to compare them. (and it isn't the Savage)

If I were going for an all-weather tack-driver I'd go with a Tikka ( actually I already did ) but I really like the Savage platform. They are really good shooters, and you can get absolutely gorgeous claro walnut or laminated stocks for them for around a hundred bucks. For bad weather I'd definately go laminate or BLACK walnut though, because it's denser than claro.

bluebayou · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2005, 10:13:34 AM »

When I bought my Remington my plan was always to buy the cheapest stock and replace it with an aftermarket one. Looking around, all of the low end rifles have crummy stocks, wood or synthetic. Savage apparently has some good pillar-bedded, laminated ones at Midway and such for $150-200.

Lawdog · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2005, 11:14:12 AM »

Wood stock;

1.] Beautiful

2.] Warm

3.] Easy to work with and accurate when done right

Synthetic stock;

1.] Ugly

2.] Cold

3.] And when not stiff enough they can be very inaccurate

My advice is go with the wood as the Savage synthetic stock doesnt have the best track record. Lawdog

whodowl · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2005, 12:49:12 PM »

I know this is Bonedigger's post and I don't have any advise for him as I have been wondering about synthetics as well. I only have woodies.

But, what are the disadvantages of synthetics in cold climates?? I have heard of the stocks cracking and also being uncomfortable to handle???

Fullchoke · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2005, 02:11:20 PM »

Quote from: whodowl

But, what are the disadvantages of synthetics in cold climates?? I have heard of the stocks cracking and also being uncomfortable to handle???

See item #2 in Lawdog's post.

Seriously the only two synthetic stocks I own are Weatherby Accumarks. They are cold, but with the aluminum stiffener they use, I don't worry about them cracking.

I can see that cold weather cracking could be a problem on some of the inexpensive plastic/synthetic stocks as it is on most plastics. I think if you stick with the higher quality synthetics this wouldn't be a problem. This doesn't mean I think the Accumark stocks are the only good ones. But I think you get what you pay for.

As for me, I still prefer walnut. :wink:

Dave in WV · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2005, 03:10:24 PM »

My son has a M110 .243 that came with the factory synthetic stock. It wasn't pillar bedded so it had even more to lose in accuracy if it really matters about the pillars. I bought him a Savage laminated stock from Midway USA a year ago and he loves it. The rifle doesn't really shoot much better with the laminated stock (bedded by a gunsmith) but he likes the look and feel of it. If you take the factory hardwood stock off and seal all of the the inside surfaces of the stock with marine spar varnish it will be far less prone to warp.

old06 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2005, 04:30:05 PM »

I have one synthetic stocked rifle it is the most consistent shooters I own out of eight others if there is bad weather or extreme tempture's involved and it gets back up duty most of the time. It is a kind of ugly thing when compared to some of the others but right now I know for shure where the it will hit the target. If I ding, bump, bang, rub, or other mishap should occur not a big deal but if its stable mates should be involved in the same thing well lets say this I'll be looking at them more often. Several years ago I was stationed in Alaska and 2 of my hunting buddies were on a hunt they had a canoe to float a river ane flipped it well when they retrieved the gear that was not tied in the rifles weren't. One had a wood stock and the other had a synthetic stock the wood warped and his gun shot groups in the 12 inch range. I feel they have the place.

longwinters · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2005, 05:01:49 PM »

People have hunted with wood stocks for an awfully long time. I really don't think it would make any difference unless in a prolonged severe situation.

Long

MGMorden · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2005, 10:37:48 AM »

I'm a wood-stock person myself. If you care not anything for looks then the synthetics should hold an edge over standard wood as far as accuracy and such. For me though, none of my shots are far enough to really be affected greatly by it (I rarely get to take a hunting shot over 75 yards). I personally feel the sacrifice in consistency is worth the look and feel of the wood (though I do find laminate wood stock s to look better than regular wood, and they are less affected by the weather).

Lawdog · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2005, 11:08:54 AM »

I have only owned one rifle with a synthetic stock. A Ruger M77 MKII .308 All Weather. Everyone was saying how great these synthetic/stainless rifles were. The stainless barrel/action/scope/rings flashed in the sun like a mirror. Great for scaring game or flashing an SOS to passenger planes flying at 40,000 feet if you got into trouble. The stock would sound off like a kids toy drum every time it banged against something. After one Elk hunt in Oregon I couldnt trade it off quick enough. Lawdog

Dave in WV · « **Reply #16 on:** January 15, 2005, 12:42:24 PM »

Lawdog, I don't disagree with your assessment of the shinney finish of the Ruger stainless rifles but I can't say the shinney blued finish of many rifles is better (maybe only to humans). I took a synthetic sanding pad to the barrel of my stainless MKII Ruger and it doesn't bother me any more and I really didn't see an instance where it did bother deer. :wink:

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2005, 08:55:05 PM »

Thre is no right answer to the question of wood or synthetic, or even laminate for that matter it depends on what you want and why.

My Remington 870 had a synthetic stock. I seriously considered buying a Browning BPS because I shoot my buddys so well, but couldnt see spending the extra $100 and then crawling in the wet and mud with the wood-stocked Browning while goose hunting. My Remington muzzleloader also has a synthetic stock. Works fine, looks good and I have never had any kind of problem with it. The Ruger .300WM I got for Christmas has the canoe paddle stock on it. The stock isnt pretty but its indestructible, and that has its own beauty.

My Ruger .22-250 VT has a laminated stock. I like it. A lot. If I ever re-stock the Ruger .300 it will be with a laminated stock. I dont worry about wet weather with this rifle because I cant imagine why Id be out with a .22-250 in the rain

The rest of my stocks are wood. My stock on my old Ruger 7mm Mag is beginning to show the effects of age scratches and dings suddenly seem to be everywhere. But theyre just character marks on an old friend. The wooden stock on Granddads old (circa 1920) Iver Johnson 12 gauge is cracked, and I replaced the wood stock on my Marlin 375. The remaining stocks are in good shape but its only a matter of time until they start to show their age I do worry about wet weather with the big game rifles, but so far Ive been lucky and no damage has been done to the stocks.

If you want a wooden stock, go for it. If synthetic gets you going, get that instead. Or laminate. They are all good and all serve a purpose.

lilabner · « **Reply #18 on:** January 16, 2005, 05:31:04 AM »

The issue of reflection off shiny surfaces is a consideration for hunters. Particularly for hunts involving sharp eyed critters like sheep or pronghorns. I prefer a dull satin finish on my wood stocks. Seems like the high gloss jobs would be a problem. Also, while I would prefer a stainless barreled action, the reflection problem is making me shy away. A few SS barrels have a non reflective coating applied but most do not. Lack of reflection is another selling point for synthetic stocks IMO.
I agree that some wood stocks are beautiful. However, in my experience, the more figure there is in a stock, the more likely it is to warp and change point of impact. The plain Jane straight grained jobs are more stable but less beautiful. The laminates are most stable.

RaySendero · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2005, 03:40:42 PM »

WOOD - like the look of wood.

Have one rifle with an HS Precision stock - Rest are wood!