After being in the architectural woodwork business for 30 years, I can tell you for a fact, no matter how good a finish is on wood, it will expand, contract, warp, and check with climate changes. A wood finish is also very slippery when wet. I buy all synthetic/ stainless firearms. I really like my Remington 700 XCR in synthetic with the in-layed soft rubber grips at the forearm and around the trigger handle. It has at great gripping actionwhen wet. See attached.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_XCR.asp