the synthetics will take more puishment than wood, they are also weather resistant and won't warp or crack like wood, and they also absorb more felt recoil than wood stocks do, however it's because of the way they're designed in the palm grip area, it pushes the recoil downward and not upward towards your face. wood is nice looking and has it's place as well, majority of my rifles have wood, but as i'm getting older i'm kindof starting to change my preference towards synthetics, my latest aquire is a model 700 rocky mountain elk federation in .300 rum, and it has a realtree camo finish synthetic stock, i'm planning on taking this rifle elk hunting in upstate ny next year