Synthetic vs Laminate?

Thinking

Thinking

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Hi Folks,

I am looking at ordering a Sako 85, but am really having a tough time choosing between between the Hunter Laminate or the Synthetic. I have handled the synthetic a few times, but have not laid hands on the laminate. What are the merits of each?

Thanks for your help

Thinking
 
laminate stronger, slightly more stable, but heavier, nicer looking, more expensive
Synthetic, cheaper.....can't really think of any real deal breakers over the laminate. I would get the laminate, I have held them and the Sako's are killer nice.
 
x2 on what Sgt.rock said..... I'm a laminate man myself, much nicer looking and feeling stock than a black plastic one, but thats my preference.
 
x3, the synthetics are easier to sand scrathes and nicks out of. The 85 syn. stocks have super nice rubber swells in them. The lam. is stronger, sturdier but heavier. The Sako "grey wolf's" are beautiful.
 
I'm with the group, the only concession I would make if you are wanting a light rifle, the laminate will end the search. Probably adds a pound to overall weight.
 
I have a lam stock on my Ruger 77mkII 30-06 and judging from the remarks of other shooters at the range I am not the only one that likes the look. Stainless action with a grey lam stock looks pretty good to my eye. It fits. A synthetic stock on an 06 would be too light and would not suck up any recoil.
That would be the deal breaker for me.
 
gyman98 said:
x3, the synthetics are easier to sand scrathes and nicks out of.
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it is way easier to renew/repair a laminate stock than a synthetic.
sanding plastic makes it look like ass. painting most plastics is a chore and will never achieve the penetrating bond and ease of touch-up that something like tung oil will with wood. wood or laminate is by far the best in terms of touching up repairs, although on most plastic stocks noone cares about dings and scratches.

the only benefit of synthetic is that it is more weatherproof - you could leave it soaking in a puddle and nothing will happen to it. and its lighter, but that can also be a drawback.
 
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Only slightly heavier the LS over the SS. I own a few Sako m75 rifles in the stainless synthetic and laminate along with a few Tikka T3's in the laminate. I personally prefer the m75 stock over the m85.

My Sako m75SS 300WM was bought new along with a buddy buying the same rifle in 1998. Both have more than held up in that time on some pretty tough hunts.

Choose what you want..what feels/fits best..its personal preference.
 
stubblejumper said:
I use only mcmillan stocks which are very easy to repair scratches on.I simply touch them up with spray paint and the scratches are gone.
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a high-end fiberglass stock is not in the same category as tupperware.

i doubt many of the factory synthetic stocks are even glass-reinforced plastic but just whatever goop they could buy cheap and pour into their moulds.
 
Care and feeding of laminate?

Now that the rifle is ordered, what needs to be done to properly love and care for laminate? I've never had one before and want to make it last to hand down to the kids, or at least leave it nice enough so that they will fight over it when I am dead and gone.
 
Funny, I didn't know the "look" of a stock improved performance. I do know that a quality synthetic stock won't warp with temperature or humidity changes like a wood stock, and really helps ensure your rifle remains free floated.

Nicks and scratches are part of the game, get over it. If the stock is severely damaged you replace it. With a nice laminate I would be concerned with any scratches while in the field. Which would probably result in not taking a laminate stock in the field in the first place.

TDC
 
Yeah, I have a safe full of guns that have nicks, scratches dings and dents in their stocks and metal, so I've gotten over it a very long time ago:slap:. What I was asking is simply do laminate stocks require any particular care? For example, wood stocks sometimes require occasional refinishing, dents can be lifted with an iron and damp towel etc, whereas synthetic stocks generally have little that needs to be done to keep them serviceable. What is the deal with Laminate? Do the stocks ever require refinishing? How are they sealed to keep the elements from harming the wood?
 
they come pre-sealed with some sortof factory polyurethane type finish.

honestly, as long as you dont leave them SOAKING in water they are very weatherproof. when you come in from wet weather just wipe them down with a soft dry rag. later down the road if you have many dings, scratches, etc you can strip/sand/refinish it just like you would a wood stock.
if i ever refinish one of mine, im giving it an oil finish because i prefer the look and they are easier to touch up.

theres a refinishing guide here, from birchwood casey... although you can substitute the oil finish of your choice.
www.birchwoodcasey.com/sport/index.html
 
Ive had Sako 85s in both synthetic and laminate. Synthetic a full pound lighter, but made gun feel like a $600 tikka t3...laminate looks nicer, but is heavier and a bit butt heavy..its a toss up
 
Laminate

How does synthetic not expand and contract in sun or cold more than wood?

Laminate is just plain way more stable outdoors and a little extra weight absorbs felt recoil--not that a 6.5-55 Sw is bad that way. Laminate looks better, period.

I use wood stocks in rain and snow, just takes a minute to wipe them down at the end of the day. Convenience ain't everything it's cracked up to be.

Good choice in your rifle!

FM
 
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