Walnut, Laminate or Synthetic?

[deerfarmer]

Which do you prefer for hunting purposes and why? I like them all for different reasons but kind of favour laminate - sort of a best of both worlds for me, ruggednes with good looks and functionality.

 

[bryan.14]

I like Synthetic for ruggedness. Wood is good for looks and does get a little more wear and tear.

 

[pbonura]

Wood is nice for tree stand hunting and holds its value. However synthetic is better for the weather. Really makes no difference. What do you prefer?

 

[ryan32]

synthetic for duck hunting wood for everything else

 

[H4831]

Walnut.

 

[track]

Walnut, for it's tradition, beauty, and warmth.

 

[dgradinaru]

wood or laminate, because they look alot nicer, higher end and if you every scratch the wood you can refinish it easily not like a synthetic.

 

[hometownhero]

I like the look of wood. That said after it gets dragged in the bush it doesnt look so good. The guns I take hunting are synthetic. If they look like crap doesnt matter to me its tupperware.

 

[Kevan]

Walnut.

 

[tylerjwitty]

never cared brought both and never thought about it

 

[bogie]

I find synthetic to be cold and featureless. Lam if I have to but a nice piece of walnut is always my first choice and wood is warmer on the hands in cold weather. I can refinish my stocks so scratches are easily dealt with. I make my own Linspeed finish as well so touchup is a snap and its a tough finish. I do make sure that I apply the finish to all exposed end grain too-keeps the squirming down to a minumum.

 

[powdergun]

There is no doubt that a rifle was meant to were a fine piece of walnut. I have a couple of nice examples in the safe. However, the only action they see is at the range and are handled with care. I know you can refinish but I just can't bring myself to drag them through the brush.

Guns can take a bit of a sh*t kicking during a hunt no matter how careful you are. On a hunt the rifle is a just a tool like my knife, binos and other stuff.
Everything has its job to do so looks mean nothing to me. Synthetic all the way and stainless if possible too. Durable, tough, and one less thing to fuss about.

 

[Eagleye]

Like H4831, Walnut is my favorite.
If it happens to have nice figure in it, so much the better.
Eagleye.

 

[meatsticks]

Of the 2 laminate, or wood...... Synthetic is very servicable..... But ugly!!!!

 

[senior]

Guns can take a bit of a sh*t kicking during a hunt no matter how careful you are. On a hunt the rifle is a just a tool like my knife, binos and other stuff.
Everything has its job to do so looks mean nothing to me. Synthetic all the way and stainless if possible too. Durable, tough, and one less thing to fuss about.

100%

Just a few bumps, scratchs or dints & you walnut stock isn't so beautiful anymore!
You don't see wood handles on mechanics tools for a reason

 

[hunter5425]

Walnut on my upland shotguns, synthetic for my waterfowl shotgun. For my rifles synthetic ( hand layered not injection molded) for ultralights and laminate where weight is less of an issue.

 

[martinbns]

I'm a walnut guy, I've bought a pile of rifles with synthetic stocks including several mcmillans but always end up selling them and going back to nice wood.

 

[condomboy]

100%

Just a few bumps, scratchs or dints & you walnut stock isn't so beautiful anymore!
You don't see wood handles on mechanics tools for a reason

Here I thought you didn't see wood on their tools was because they didn't want slivers or absorbtion of oil/water

Just to take into the woods, synthetic hands down

 

[senior]

Here I thought you didn't see wood on their tools was because they didn't want slivers or absorbtion of oil/water

Just to take into the woods, synthetic hands down

HA...you don't see wooden condoms either!
Nice username

 

[SuperCub]

I use all three and like all three depending on the application.

Laminates are the best of both worlds, but can be heavy. I slimmed mine down, hollowed the buttstock and forend.

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