Walnut vs. Synthetic rifle stock

[BayouBuck985]

All, I’m in the market for a new deer rifle, and after years of only using synthetic stock rifles, I’m thinking of getting something a little nicer. I’m looking at either a Remington 700 CDL, Bergara B-14 Timber, or possibly a Browning X-Bolt/X-Bolt 2. For those of you who use the wooden stock rifles, is there extra care that they demand to hold up for years of use, especially if they get damp on occasion? I heard about wax-treating them occasionally just to help preserve the wood and help combat the adverse effects of moisture, but is that a bit overkill? Or if not, how often would you recommend that? Keep in mind that my days in the woods are quite limited these days with three small children, and I am not abusive with my gear in any means. Any suggestion or tips would be appreciated.

 

[Jnasa]

If it's a good sealed stock should require very little maintenance. Make sure it is allowed to dry if it gets wet. Ive put some shotguns through terrible conditions with very little.

Never hurts to wipe it down.

 

[jimh406]

Look at Woox Elegante.

 

[Steiny77]

The only downside is it hurts a little bit when you scratch your wood stock rifle. Who cares with an ugly plastic stock?

Just dry them off and wipe them down when you're done for the day. A little basic care.
There are a whole lot of 100+ year old wood stocked rifles that still look good and work just the same as they did when purchased.

 

[redhaze]

As for dents and scratches, that can also add to the myths - "this scratch right here happened when.....". I love wood stocks.

 

[WyoCoalMiner]

Been using the same Rem 700 BDL for 25+ years. I don't do anything to the stock. It's been used every year in Wyo, been to AK three times, NWT once, CO many times, AZ a few, MT a few times. I am very abusive. Its beat to hell. Gouges, scratches, etc. Looks like hell. Shoots lights out.

 

[406dn]

My Remington 700 BDL is now beyond 50 years old. I'd guess it has another 50 in it, if it gets half decent care.

 

[BayouBuck985]

Thanks for the replies so far. I am probably just overthinking this one. If there’s a nice wooden stock rifle that I like, I should just get it and use it as it is intended to be.

 

[BayouBuck985]

For the wooden stock carriers, do you find it beneficial to have the raised comb and cheek piece? I have that on my Weatherby, and it just feels right. That’s why I’m considering the Remington 700 and the Bergara Timber models, but I also like the shorter bolt throw on the Browning. But I didn’t know how much impact that has on shooting performance such as better eye alignment with the scope.

 

[Ben Lamb]

For the wooden stock carriers, do you find it beneficial to have the raised comb and cheek piece? I have that on my Weatherby, and it just feels right. That’s why I’m considering the Remington 700 and the Bergara Timber models, but I also like the shorter bolt throw on the Browning. But I didn’t know how much impact that has on shooting performance such as better eye alignment with the scope.

Just as with shotguns, fit on a rifle is a critical and very personal thing. If you like the monte caro stock (raised comb & cheek rest), then you can always add that through a slip on or lace on pad. Most of my wood stocked rifles are either straight combed with the scope as low as I can get it or they're iron sighted with the appropriate drop in comb to align my eyes with the sights.

As for wood stocks in general - the scars tell stories, even on pretty wood. Swelling is real though, so I glass bed my wood-stocked rifles and will pillar bed them too if necessary. Maintenence isn't difficult. I just cleaned up the stocks on two of my shotguns with a green scrubby pad & some boiled linseed oil. Those are both oil-finished stocks. The poly and varnish stocks you can buff & add a new layer if needed. Super easy to maintain. I have guns that are over 170 years old where the wood is as solid and well-finished as the day they left the workshop.

 

[noharleyyet]

The appropriate handle for the job. @p_ham 's exquisite walnut handles work just fine, so does seekins's carbon fiber.

 

[Steiny77]

For the wooden stock carriers, do you find it beneficial to have the raised comb and cheek piece? I have that on my Weatherby, and it just feels right. That’s why I’m considering the Remington 700 and the Bergara Timber models, but I also like the shorter bolt throw on the Browning. But I didn’t know how much impact that has on shooting performance such as better eye alignment with the scope.

I like the high comb on a nice woodstock.

If I was going to go out today and buy a new off the shelf wood stocked bolt action rifle I'd probably buy a Winchester 70, Weatherby Mark V or a Browning X bolt.
Also really like the Remington 700 BDL's if you can find a nice used one in suitable caliber.

I'm sure the walnut Bergara, Tikka, Savage, etc. rifles all shoot well but they just don't have the nice appearance or finish like those above.

 

[elkduds]

Wood stocks are furniture, from basic to very fine quality. Synthetic stocks are handles.

 

[mtmuley]

Wood stocks are furniture, from basic to very fine quality. Synthetic stocks are handles.

Synthetic can " handle" anything. mtmuley

 

[MTLabrador]

I love the looks of wood and blued, but what I really love about a good wood stock is how comfortable they are to shoot. Warmer to the touch in cold weather, and they really deaden recoil and annoying vibrations. They’re more than durable enough for hard use, just make sure it’s bedded and well sealed for moisture.

This rifle has seen a lot of miles and snow, rocks, and timber.

 

[BayouBuck985]

I love the looks of wood and blued, but what I really love about a good wood stock is how comfortable they are to shoot. Warmer to the touch in cold weather, and they really deaden recoil and annoying vibrations. They’re more than durable enough for hard use, just make sure it’s bedded and well sealed for moisture.

This rifle has seen a lot of miles and snow, rocks, and timber.

View attachment 412022

Very nice, and good points made, although I can’t speak much to hunting in the snow, haha! Is that with your .270?

 

[Wyoming270]

I hunt more than 60 days a year with rifles from the 60s 70s and 80s. Never owned a synthetic or stainless firearm. stocks are sealed. When factory lacquer flakes i sand them down, stain them and refinish with tongue oil. Unfinished wood areas such as around action and under barrel, I coat with furniture paste wax. while i live where humidity tends to be 10% we do get short fast downpours about 2 pm everyday. I can nearly measure elevation by what time the storms hit. in may and april this can be a lot of snow, or a lot of rain. In august september its usually huge rain drops and hail, last year i had an afternoon of rain followed by 4 inches of snow then 20 degrees the second weekend of september. To cope with this i keep a bullet box full of pieces of cut synthetic car drying shammy that is loaded with ballistal gun oil. Anytime i handle a gun, or it rains while hunting, i give it an hour to dry and then wipe all accessable steel. I also keep a bore snake loaded with this oil in my pack for the times i get mud or snow in the barrel. Ballistol flows well and then sets in place where it wont run off. It also will emulsify with water which is another benefit. So far ive ever had a hunting firearm rust, or a stock swell or take on water.

 

[MTLabrador]

Very nice, and good points made, although I can’t speak much to hunting in the snow, haha! Is that with your .270?

Yep, .270.