RE: Best syn. stock
What happened with the Richards stock? Last I read you really liked it.
You are not going to be able to get the best for a mauser 96. HS Precision nor McMillan makes a stock for the 96.
You can get a Ram Line but they are total crap, Bell and Carlson makes one (carbelite) for the 96 but I have never had much luck getting a B&C to just drop in, even though you pay for them to be a drop in. B&C also makes one in their medalist series. I have not used on of these so I can't say if they are inletted well or not. They do have an aluminum bedding block through out the receiver.
My suggestion is to call Boyds and see if they inlet a laminated stock for the 96. (605) 996-5011