Synthetic vs Wood

[terrym]

I'm a wood guy too, but I do have an xlr which is SS with some sort of funny composite stock.

Re: composite over wood for accuracy - how wet are you planning on getting your rifle and what are your accurracy expectations? Are you doing underwater long distance target shooting? I'd think most wood stocks can handle most weather conditions and shoot fairly accurrately.

I have personally seen it happen on a 10 day moose hunt living in a tent camp. It rained everyday almost and one of the guys had his wood stock warp. He was carrying a Weatherby Mark V, not a low end rifle. He clued in to it when he missed a shot at a grouse's head. We checked his zero and it had shifted badly. You could clearly see where pressure points had developed. The next year he had a synthetic stock.

[Bo D]

Like most I have both, and do use both, however I find a wooden stock and forearm not as cold during extreme weather conditions, but I do find when it comes to sighting in my hunting rifles it takes more rounds to sight in the ones with a wooden stock than those with an S stock. Wood will contract and swell over a period of time, i.e. hunting season to hunting season and I have never found that the rifles with a wooden stock are zero'd like they were when you put them away for the season. Where as a S stock is pretty much where you left it after the rifle season was over.

[terrym]

I love the look of wood but mostly hunt with synthetic now. If your rifle Is a 2pc stocked one like most semi's, pumps and levers then the wood stability isn't a big problem. I pc stocked rifles are the finicky ones.

[werner.reiche]

I love the look of wood but mostly hunt with synthetic now. If your rifle Is a 2pc stocked one like most semi's, pumps and levers then the wood stability isn't a big problem. I pc stocked rifles are the finicky ones.

A good point - all my hunting rifles are levers - 2 piece. My only 1 piece is an M1 garand which I haven't used for hunting.

[Oddmott]

For now, my focus has been on functionality, durability and accessibility. So i've started building my collection all around synthetics. Ruger 10/22, Tikka T3 and a Weatherby SA-08.

They all handle beautifully, are rugged as hell... and very ugly or boring.

Now that my basics are covered, I intend to get some of my dream firearms... a stainless laminated Marlin 45-70 Gov, a prime Remington Wingmaster and to top it all off...a stainless Sako Bavarian.

Those should all liven up the cabinet nicely.

Others have said wood swelling shouldn't be a concern and for rifles i totally agree, however I've seen some really nasty issues (mechanical and cosmetic) with wood shotguns that weren't properly protected and maintained.

[JBen]

To me, they are all tools. If I want a "wall hanger", then I will acquire a decomissioned one (maybe my grandfathers WWI LE), that someone carved intricate leaf patterns into.

If I want a tool to use, I get one, be it rod, be it LG, be it a reel, be it wood long bow.

I have zero desire to have twelve different long guns.
.22 Ruger 10/22 in wood (decent grain, wasnt wholly my choice).
.308 Browning BLR White gold...a real peice of eye candy if you love wood/wood grains
12 gauge Browning A5 also in beuatiful wood.

If I add anything else, it will be a bolt for Moose or Varmint/Predator and it will most assuredly be in wood. Likely another White/Gold.

Done.
4 tools that will cover all my needs, each is something I will admire and each will have plenty of stories to tell.

To each his own, there are always a dozen ways to skin a cat.

[terrym]

Only 4 long guns? Hell no. Do you only have 4 clubs in your golf bag? Hell I have 4 deer rifles......

[Final Flight]

I love my wood stocks on my sporting clay guns, for the field I prefer synthetic.

[CaseyMcIntyre]

Ok so I am definitely looking at synthetic/stainless 30-06 and I've checked out the Browning X-Bolt, the Tikka T3 and the Sako A7. I have also spoken with my gun smith and it's getting tough on which one to purchase. I like all the features and the looks that the Browning has, but I've heard bad reviews on accuracy and the twist of the gun. I also like the Tikka T3 but is seems to be almost the exact same as the Sako A7 without all the bells and whistles. P.s I like the bells and whistles lol. Then I heard that Benelli doesn't like to cover their warranty on their guns. Anyone have suggestions so I can narrow down the field.

[terrym]

The Browning is a very nice action but I personally dislike that big palmswell on the stock. Not a bad choice in the 3 though. I personally use a Sako Finnlite in 7mm mag. I would suggest you put on your hunting coat and snap them all up to your shoulder. Pick the one that feels best.