Wood or Synthetic

[tealthelab]

What are the pros and cons for Wood or Synthetic stock riffles
I'm after my first riffle and the only experience I have with both stocks are with shotguns between my O/U and the semi auto so not a real comparison

 

[User00040]

Depends.

Not all wood is made equal, same goes for 'synthetic' stocks.

You can spend more on a replacement stock than what the rifle costs new...

Lock, stock and barrel. Not necessarily in order of importance. Try and buy a rifle with a good stock already on it, not an easy feat but you sometimes find good deals second hand.

Don't overlook laminate stocks. A well made one with the correct design and dimensions will give any other type a run for its money, with sufficient bedding and maintenance.

 

[8x57]

You need to not just consider the actual stock material but also the build quality of the stock. You can get poor quality stocks in both materials.

 

[Steff]

The most crucial point is always the fore end. On wood it can warp against the barrel and be a constant PITA. With synthetic stocks it can be too soft for use with a bipod.

Laminate stock are also not absolutely hassle-free. Some of them tend to split after a while. And they are heavy.

 

[ejg]

I don't mind wood on a shot gun. On a rifle I prefer composite. As mentioned Synthetic materials vary, it makes sense to invest some time researching.
Hunting rifles are precision instruments, better to use materials that don't change over time. Target rifles are not that problematic as they get zeroed on the day, almost any material will do.
My take is that the barrel is the most important part of a rifle followed by the bedding followed by the stock. Least important is the action or make of the rifle.
edi

 

[Pkiernan]

If the rifle will be shot in the field, then synthetic is your best bet.

 

[Steff]

@ejg
how is your project on the R8 progressing?

 

[tealthelab]

Thanks guys
Should of said the riffle will be mainly field shooting and at present I'm swaying towards a tika tx3 in 243

 

[Heym SR20]

Much prefer the feel of wood. As long as it’s properly seasoned, and then properly laid out then it will be consistent. Often with wood pressure bedding is often better than free floating, but all rifles are finicky. Wood also absorbs recoil and nicer to shoot.

Many modern wooden stocks though are there for prettyness and no regard to how they will function. Plank is just clamped in CNC mill and out comes another pretty stock with grain layout that will just end in tears.

Look for grain that runs from the forend straight though the hand to middle of the but. Burr walnut belongs on facias of Jaguars and on coffee tables.

Synthetic are much simpler for manufacturers to provide either a cheap stock or a strong and stable stock and at the cheaper end of the market probably a better option.

 

[ejg]

@ejg
how is your project on the R8 progressing?

In the CAD stage, It will take a while as it will be a complete new design and manufacturing process.
edi

 

[Steff]

In the CAD stage, It will take a while as it will be a complete new design and manufacturing process.
edi

Good to hear. Will it be based on the Professional One-Piese models or is it the split design of the wooden/Ultimate models?

 

[Pedro]

Wood for looks. And a good wood stock is as good as anything, performance-wise. But if, by in the field you mean climbing up ladders, over rocky ground, hiding behind/in bushes or in a hide or something, or letting your rifle rattle around in the back of a pickup or in a boot, then a good synthetic material will save some tears. Unless the distressed look floats your boat.

 

[ejg]

Good to hear. Will it be based on the Professional One-Piese models or is it the split design of the wooden/Ultimate models?

One piece Prof/Success planned so far.
edi

 

[Konnari]

Wood every time

 

[Mungo]

If you're stalking somewhere wet and muddy, and it's going to get used reasonably often, wood is a bit of a liability.

I like the look of wood, but after a few years of Scottish conditions, decided synthetic was probably a more sensible option. One of the extra advantage of synthetics is that you can get things like adjustable cheek pieces (or make your own), and you don't feel awful for butchering a nice wooden stock.

 

[bogtrotter]

If its a decent piece of wood and properly bedded there should be no problem both wood and synthetic will do the job, it's what ever floats your boat at the end of the day.

 

[Woodsmoke]

Wood for me. Every time! Both for aesthetics and longevity. After all, there's a reason trees are made of it

 

[Acm]

A wood stocked rifle is also completely recyclable! Don’t believe it when you read that plastic lasts longer. Finding a plastic stocked rifle more than 20 years old is rare. Finding a wood stocked rifle 100 years old isn’t. I’ve got 4 rifles, one of them is plastic stocked.

 

[Pkiernan]

I took a target skeet gun duck hunting once...
Then I bought a synthetic Winchester SX2

 

[gixer1]

Wood for aesthetics and synthetic for hard wearing. If you are going for a Tikka it will be a pretty poor synthetic stock with a very hollow and plasticky sound.

if you will predominantly be climbing high seats and shooting out of windows of vehicles and lamping I would go synthetic....if you are stalking on foot in wooded areas or hills the wood will be fine. As someone else said - if you don’t mind the odd knock and ding the wood will be fine. A bashed up synthetic stock also looks as horrendous as a bashed up wooden stock.

Also consider if it will spend most of its life wet and if you are the type to take the stock off and clean it after a wet outing.

Regards,
Gixer