Wood or plastic stocks

[LOID]

I've got wood... mostly

 

[Huzza]

I hear wood can be a pain in damp weather, but it looks so much nicer. For someone looking at their first rifle, when so you recommend wood vs. plastic?

Wood looks way better, more of a natural look and feel

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Wood is ok for military surplus rifles, but for hunting synthetic stocks are better.

Plastic - absorbs some of the felt recoil in flexing, which for hunting distances is OK. Not the same if you are trying to bug-hole tiny groups
- cleans with a toothbrush and Windex. No requirement for alchemist's formulations of virgin lamb's wool squeezings and linseed oil, finished with rare Japanese beetle shells in alcohol
- should never split, crack or break
- absolutely impervious to the weather
- won't hold moisture if the firearm is moved in and out of heated or warmed shelter
- no issues if the carrying case gets moist
- can be fabricated as a solid lump, a foam filled shell, applique panels that screw onto a chassis
- can be repaired with a Canadian Tire fibreglass resin and motorboat repair kit.
- can be sculped to fit with positive materials. Try finding a gunsmith who'll admit to having a wood stretcher in the back shop.

And, ask yourself. Does the deer care how pretty the rifle was that killed it?

 

[Cdnhunter117]

Wood is ok for military surplus rifles, but for hunting synthetic stocks are better.

Plastic - absorbs some of the felt recoil in flexing, which for hunting distances is OK. Not the same if you are trying to bug-hole tiny groups
- cleans with a toothbrush and Windex. No requirement for alchemist's formulations of virgin lamb's wool squeezings and linseed oil, finished with rare Japanese beetle shells in alcohol
- should never split, crack or break
- absolutely impervious to the weather
- won't hold moisture if the firearm is moved in and out of heated or warmed shelter
- no issues if the carrying case gets moist
- can be fabricated as a solid lump, a foam filled shell, applique panels that screw onto a chassis
- can be repaired with a Canadian Tire fibreglass resin and motorboat repair kit.
- can be sculped to fit with positive materials. Try finding a gunsmith who'll admit to having a wood stretcher in the back shop.

And, ask yourself. Does the deer care how pretty the rifle was that killed it?

I like being able to do spray paint camos and being able to switch em' up if I want to.

 

[Robert Dalton]

For a first rifle , I would go with a plastic stock and stainless barrel ; then if you want to get deeper into the shooting sports , you can move into the more pleasing appearance of wood or laminate .

 

[AndyGuns]

I prefer plastic as I feel I have more grip

 

[Cheapy]

I love the look of a nice wood stock but its easier to scratch or nick than synthetic. Also synthetic can be lighter, so it depends what you are going to use the right for.

 

[gorby]

My first rifle has a wood stock and is still my favourite! Both my hunting rifles are wood, but where I am at it is not often that I get caught in rain, mostly snow during deer season and I likely am not going grouse hunting in the rain, haha. Also, relatively dry climate. I am in Alberta. Hunting, I am walking around all day with the thing in my hands and like the warmth and feel of wood.

I use plastic and metal on the range, just because it allows more options to adjust fit and balance for competition and I am more concerned with accuracy gains of an aluminum bedded action.

Where do you live and what is the rifle for?