Laminate stocks for cold wet weather

Slooshark1

Slooshark1

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I'm planning a hunting trip to Alaska and I'm expecting 10 days of cold wet miserable weather yet I can't bear to go with a synthetic stocked rifle. I'm thinking Ruger Bolt Action stainless laminate. How does that type of stock hold up in those conditions? Let me know your experiences and opinions.

Slooshark1
 
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laminates are tough as hell. there will be no warping but they mark up like wood. if your worried bed the action and make sure the is no bare wood in the barrel chanel.
 
I have put laminates on all my hunting rifles, and I love them. As long as they are sealed properly, you won't have any issues with warping or twisting, though even if they aren't sealed, you won't have too much trouble. They do mark up like wood, but they still look sharp and you can always refinish later. My only complaint is that they tend to be heavier than either wood or tupperware. But if you're shooting a heavy calibre, you'll appreciate the extra ounces. I've tested my rifles in all kinds of Alberta's crappy weather and landscape, and never had any problems where I thought a different stock would help. Laminate is great!
 
My mom is from Newfoundland and I can tell you from experience it gets wet there. Duck hunting in the fall you can run into ice coming in and really crappy salty rainy weather. My grandfather’s firearms were all well used but not corroded. His secret was to clean and oil the firearm every time you took them out. Laminate and stainless in a firearm was something he never knew of as all of his were walnut and blued.
 
I always clean my rifles if they're wet, however, if they're wet all day for 10-12 hours, the finish may start to flake off the stock and they'll likely swell up, warp and affect accuracy when you need it the most. I'm planning on hunting for Alaskan Brown Bears on the Alaskan Peninsula. I can hardly wait!
 
"...for cold wet weather..." Pretty much why there are such things as laminated stocks. Synthetics too.
"...they'll likely swell up..." Not if they're sealed properly. Any wood sealer in the barrel channel fixes it. So does a properly done tung oil finish. Still not as good as a synthetic or laminate.
 
Laminates are a great way to go. they are tough and stable in all weather. They don't warp or swell when wet. I have used laminated stocks lots in crappy weather and they have held up very well over the years
 
I have hunted with my Tikka T3 LS rifles and Sako m75 Greywolf rifles in wet and very cold conditions in Alberta....never a problem. If you are worried about dings and scratches on your Alaskan hunt, maybe a synthetic might be the option.

Either way, at night in camp or at home I always wipe/dry off my rifles and then do a quick wipe down with a silicon cloth.

Have a GREAT HUNT !!!
 
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