Wood stock vs composite

[Tommy2bucks]

Was after some input/ advice on this
I recently bought a sako 85 hunter in walnut stock and as much as it looks lovely am paranoid about articles I’ve read on warping through rain, humidity etc and the affects on accuracy.
Best way to take care of it , or invest in an after market stock would value your feedback
Thanks
Tommy

 

[Redneck]

I like to make sure that the inside of the stock is sealed and not just bare wood. I use something like teak or Danish oil . Three thin coats letting it dry well between.
Maybe a Sako is already well treated but best to check. On the outside there is a myriad of stuff to use, I like Renaissance wax, Slippery Dicks etc.

 

[Tommy2bucks]

What’s slippery dicks?

 

[Tommy2bucks]

I’ll check under the action good point

 

[Redneck]

Gunstock Wax

 

[Lace1978]

Does take a lot of rubbing ?

 

[308tikka]

Truoil.

Or you could coat in marine varnish. Both were used for years on wood stocks.

Wood stocks change over time if not dried out before shaping. Also depends on grain etc.

I wouldnt worry. If it doesnt warp and touch the barrel it should be ok.

I have a laminate on a non deer rifle and when it gets wet it expands. Cant take cheekpiece out to remove bolt. The only fully weatherproof solution is synthetic. Doubt any of it makes much difference to average group sizes.

 

[Sash]

My Tikka T3 came with a plastic stock and, after 5+ years I found a wood stock advertised here, and bought it.

I am really glad I did so: easier and more comfortable to hold, and it seems to absorb the recoil better.
I shoot in some pretty foul weather and have never had any problems with accuracy or warping.

When I got the stock I treated it with a mixture of linseed oil, alkanet etc: there is a good article from Diggory Haddoke somewhere describing the process, and it was fun.

The point about treating the inside of the stock is a good one: a coat of linseed oil mixture once a year is what I give it, and it seems to work well.

So, unless you are target shooting vs stalking, I would strongly advise you to keep the existing stock: its not high-maintenance, and you say it looks lovely already.

 

[slider]

My rifle is a tool. function over form every time

 

[sir-lamp-alot]

Ive had my sako 85 for nearly 10 years and the wooden stock has never warped but i will say that other makes of rifles ive owned have

 

[User00040]

Would be more worried about the bedding on that, wood screws holding in the recoil lug.

A test is to put one hand on the fore-end and lightly move the barrel with the other, if it moves back you are fine but if it stays after you moved it then it's buggered.

If so, sell the stock on eBay and pick up a synthetic one.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Do you go out when it is persisting rain regularly ? No? Then dont worry about it.
Can you slip a fiver between the barrel and stock? Then no issues if you can.

 

[Dunwaters]

I think you’ll find that your stock is free floated, so if it does warp just sand it back a bit and oil up the bare wood.
I personally wouldn’t obsess over it, just keep in mind that it might happen someday.

 

[ejg]

Rifle shooters are their own worst enemy.... always want a very narrow gap between the barrel and forend... well they get what they wish for. If one would just increase this gap to at least 2mm each side most stocks warped or not would not give trouble. The other point is to have a good full action length epoxy & pillar bedding.
Slipping a fiver down the barrel channel only guarantees that in that moment under the current load the stock is not touching. Loaded on a bipod or a few days later... bets are off. The bigger the barrel channel... the less the problems.
edi

 

[Tommy2bucks]

My Tikka T3 came with a plastic stock and, after 5+ years I found a wood stock advertised here, and bought it.

I am really glad I did so: easier and more comfortable to hold, and it seems to absorb the recoil better.
I shoot in some pretty foul weather and have never had any problems with accuracy or warping.

When I got the stock I treated it with a mixture of linseed oil, alkanet etc: there is a good article from Diggory Haddoke somewhere describing the process, and it was fun.

The point about treating the inside of the stock is a good one: a coat of linseed oil mixture once a year is what I give it, and it seems to work well.

So, unless you are target shooting vs stalking, I would strongly advise you to keep the existing stock: its not high-maintenance, and you say it looks lovely already.

Thanks sound advice

 

[RifleTuner]

I bought a wood stocked Sako 85 Hunter last year for deer hunting. Some days out can be pretty wet, and I had similar concerns about the stock. I just removed the barreled action and coated the stock with Tru Oil, both the external surfaces, and the inletting too. Gave it 8 coats in total. While I was at it, I gave the metal work a coat of Renaissance wax, so think it will be good now.

 

[NP435]

I prefer laminated wood or the old zytel boat paddle Ruger all weather stocks, or Houge over mold. The walnut I do have is sealed in the channel with spar varnish.

 

[Tommy2bucks]

One of the most humbling ( and scary ) , and in some respects spiritual , moments I've had , happened when I was 21 years old . I was hunting in the foothills of Alberta around Wolf Lake . Stalker308 knows the country as he's hunted with me and my family there for a number of years now . The area has always had a sizable population of Grizzly Bears , it still does . I was hunting with a friend of mine who was familiar with the area . There's a piece of high ground that runs between two large Muskegs ( bogs ) that has always been a game funnel . My hunting partner went to the far end of it , about a mile away , and slowly walked towards me to push any game in the area towards me . The main idea is to slowly move the animals , not scare them into running , so you don't make a lot of noise , just enough to let the game know you're there . Al , my partner , moved a small herd of Elk ( cows ) and a few Mule Deer ( does ) past me , none legal game . It was quite for about 10 to 15 minutes until I heard something moving to my left and below me on the ridge . It wasn't a loud noise , right on the edge of audible , but something was there . After a moment or two , it stopped and went quite . By this time , I figured Al would be getting close to me , so I relaxed , put up my rifle and lit a cigarette ( I smoked back then ) and waited for him . While I was enjoying my dart , I heard a slight noise behind ( and downwind of me ) and turned to see what it was . About eight feet away was a very large , mature Grizzly that had managed to walk up behind me without making a sound . He wasn't aggressive , but he didn't seem to happy about my presence . The thing that I remember most , is he stared into my eyes the entire time . I've never been more aware of another living thing in my life . We both stood there staring at each other for what seemed like a very long , it was probably only seconds , before he seemed to relax . He looked around , snorted and disappeared back into the bush . To say I was rattled would be an understatement . That bear had me cold , and it was only his choice not to kill me that let me walk away . I've always returned the courtesy and won't hunt Grizzlies , it just seemed the polite thing to do ....................... but Muirs moment still beats mine .

AB

I have no idea how this ended up here , it was supposed to post in the scary moments thread , apologies . Maybe the mods can move it .

very cool story though

 

[Shaun Goss]

I actually added an aftermarket laminated stock to my old tikka t3 which isn't supposed to warp. Randomly missed a couple of shots and shots where walking all across the target only to find that the stock had swelled so badly it had taken the cerakote off my barrel where they where touching. That being said I have not had this issue with my sako in wood stock and don't intend to fiddle.

 

[AndrewS]

Was after some input/ advice on this
I recently bought a sako 85 hunter in walnut stock and as much as it looks lovely am paranoid about articles I’ve read on warping through rain, humidity etc and the affects on accuracy.
Best way to take care of it , or invest in an after market stock would value your feedback
Thanks
Tommy

I used the method described by Olaf in post #23 in this thread:

care of Stock on a wooden rifle

Very pleased with the results on my Tikka M55; just needs "re-annointing" once in a while to keep it looking good.