The solution to you problem lies with laminate wood stocks. They're a bit heavier than wood, but when properly clear-coated, just as stable as synthetic, and as durable as either. Oh, and they look pretty nice, IMO, too.
Wood stocks are fine, my Ruger M-77 is almost 30 years old, no problems...If you ever do have a problem all you have to do is free float, pillar bed and seal the barrel channel...
both have pro's and cons, lets face it walnut is pretty, but subject to moisture issues, synthetcs (good ones) are stiffer, more consistant, reduce recoil better according to weight, but they are colder when hunting during inclement weather.
I have both and prefer laminates, the warm feeling of wood, easy to get, and just as stiff as the better synthetics.
RR
Well I am late to this post, but better late than never I suppose.
Grouse I completely agree with you and I don't feel that I am living in the past.
Synthetic stocks have many advantages and I don't look down on anyone who chooses to purchase one. But for my money, guns should be blue and wood stocked - they just look better.
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I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Rifles are just tools to me. I really don't care how they look. I pick my rifles and the parts I put on them according to how they will perform for me. Now, I try to take care of them, and in turn, they usually look nice. But I don't take care of them so they'll look nice. I take care of them so they'll perform.
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While you rest, someone, somewhere, is training. When you meet, you will lose.
Synthetic stocked rifles are easier to build than wood, that's what the shelves are full of them. Problem is a lot of the wood stocked rifles you find today have a pretty pathetic finish. The new Model 70's are a bit lacking in that department. Just get what you like. If you ding it up, so be it.
I like wood also. I only have one gun with a synthetic stock and it's an 870 turkey gun. As far as worrying about the wood swelling, I remove the stock and coat everything thats hidden with Formsby's tung oil finish. I don't think that some manufacturers worry about what can't be seen, and any unfinished wood will soak up water. You don't have to make it pretty, just protect it.
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Diamond Justice 65# 29"DL
Gold Tip XT Hunter 5575 27.5"
Spot-Hogg Hunter Hogg-it w/wrap
QAD Ultra-Rest HD, Limbsaver M6 Quiver
Custom Stab w/Limbsaver modular nodes and QD
you dont apprieciate a sythetic stock until youve spent any real time hunting waterfowl. I also think a walnut/ gloss buled gun w/ dings and scratches on it is uglier that a black plactic workhorse anyday, my guns go in the safe when Im not using them so I dont really care how pretty they are anyway, if I want to hold somthing pretty Ill take my gibson SG out of the case.(hope my wife doesnt read that last part)
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