Rifle Stocks

[FoymountFarm]

On the hunting rifles I own I have a mix of furniture; walnut, wood laminate and composite (synthetic) in both black and camo. I like the weight and feel of my composite stocks and, especially when matched with a SS action and barrel, I'll grab one of them first in any kind of cold, wet weather. My well finished walnut stocks are comfy and tough and seem to take the abuse encountered in dogging bush without getting as beat up as the composites do. I feel I need to give the walnut more maintenance after being in the wet. The wood laminate stock is tough, sturdy, weather resistant and heavy. I think it offers many of the best features of both composite and walnut.

If we try to set aside aesthetic preferences for one kind over the other, I'd like to hear from CGNers on which type of stock they think offers the most in terms of:

- durability in the field
- keeping zeroed in weather
- resistance to marring from cleaning agents
- ease of general stock maintenance
- any other pro or con features of each that might help in a decision on which to get on the next rifle

 

[brybenn]

Walnut has warmth and it's more natural sounding when it strikes bush wood and rock. If properly inletted and bedded weathers effect isn't really an issue for common hunting ranges.
Composite is cheaper usually.
I prefer walnut but own composite as well. For hunting both work.
After hunting in bad weather with wooden stocks I remove the barreled action then dry it. Every now and then ill wax the finish or add more oil depending on the stocks finish. My composites surprisingly have held up well against the tortures I've put them thru

 

[John Wesley Hardin]

As I remember Foymount from many years ago as a CF base; That Rocky mountain top where the snows come early and stay late and the wind constantly blew and it seemed 20 degrees colder than the hamlet below the hill I'd favor a composite stock for durability maintaining zero and ease of clean up if they are hunting rigs.
Hardin

 

[FoymountFarm]

Thanks, and yes Sir, you remember Foymount, atop Ryan's Mountain its the highest elevation community in ON, well. The pic in my Avatar is the result of a Foymount black bear deciding that the seat on my backhoe would make a good snack.