Rifle stocks: injection molded plastic vs plain walnut/birch?

[philthygeezer]

So if you had the choice between a molded plastic stock and a plain-jane piece of walnut or birch, what would you choose and why?

 

[west250]

A fine figured walnut is my preference.

 

[lonely_wolf]

Given the options: Wood. Those plastic stocks are awful. Too much flex. Wood may warp, but in my experience it is stiffer (and prettier) than the tupperware.

McMillan Edge would be my real choice though...

 

[John Y Cannuck]

I like wood, I hate plastic.
But I have to admit, under some conditions, the plastic just works. Like laying in the bottom of the canoe while it's pouring rain on a moose hunt for example.
So plastic stocks have their place, and they have improved greatly appearance wise in the last while.
Still, right now, I have a bunch of wood, and no plastic. I just learn to live with the deficiencies.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Wood is my choice. I'm a sucker for nicely figured wood and blued steel.

 

[Chuck]

I'll take wood every time. Finish it with marine spar varnish and it will be just as waterproof as the canoe it is laying in.

 

[TaylorJW]

Since the question was plain jane birch or walnut vs synthetic. I would take the synthetic..And I prefer fine wood, for the record.

 

[manbearpig]

it depends.
i prefer a nice walnut or laminate stock, but for a winter/poor weather gun, waterfowling, etc id want synthetic.

 

[BigUglyMan]

Even on a beater I'd rather have wood than injection molded plastic.

 

[hakx]

Wood. Tupperware is for leftovers.

 

[west250]

Wood. Tupperware is for leftovers.

 

[j.krug]

I own both and both have their place but when it comes down to it there's nothing like a pretty wood stock to warm your heart.

 

[SuperCub]

A fine figured walnut is my preference.

ANY figured walnut is my preference over an injecton molded stock.


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[Bassmaster]

Wood......

 

[sgt.rock]

I do most of my hunting in shi tty conditions, like frozen windy shi tty conditions. I'll never take a walnut gun out hunting with me again. I ruined the finish on a sweet Model 70 by taking it hunting up here. Nice wood is for the range, and summer/fall hunting where chances of messing it up are lower.

 

[philthygeezer]

Q: "Apples or oranges?"
A: "I like potatoes."

Not talking about figured walnut and don't want to. I think most anyone would take finely figured walnut over injection molded plastic, so I didn't make that an option.

Talking about bare bones basic boring walnut and birch. So would you take birch/dull boring walnut (no figure!), or plastic (not fiberglass!)?

 

[track]

Definitley figured wood!

 

[jimmyjazz]

Wood anytime ..... especially in the morning!!

 

[sgt.rock]

yeah, but how many rifles come with wood that you'd not care a lick about messing up? Apples or oranges, very few rifles come with birch/cheap walnut. I'd pick plain ol' walnut over flimsy plastic stocks, but other than Savage/stevens stocks, I don't find most plastic stocks to be all that flimsy.

 

[rgv]

'flimsy' injection molded stocks are an Internet myth, just like 'rusty' stainless steel.

There is nothing flimsy about the OEM versions, and other than requiring generous barrel channel gap and extra care to ensure bedding adhesion, are completely functional and almost indestructible.