Im looking in to buying the new Browning X-Bolt. Only question now is whether to go with the basic wood, hunter model for 650, or to buy the synthetic/stainless model for 680. I like the looks of the wood better, however i like the feel of the dura-touch coating and the durability of synthetic and stainless. Just wondering what everyone else's opinions are. Im goin with the 25-06 caliber.

For hunting rifles,I only buy synthetic stocks,as they are much more stable when exposed to changes in humidity.

You could always buy one of each! Think of one as a fair weather gun and the other as the bad weather gun!

I find that the stainless X-bolt tops my list of some of the ugliest rifles made today with all of that brite silver aluminum they use for the mag well, rear tang, and trigger guard. I don't much like the black aluminum around the wood stocked hunter model either but at least it matches the color of the barrel.

Personally I would either get the hunter or bluedsynthetic with mypreferance being the blued synthetic. It looks much much cleaner to me being that the entire rifle is black.

Synthetic and stainless. It may not look the best, but they sould be the most durable.

I myself like the look of a stock. However, if I already had a couple in wood, and was maybe buying this one as a, say, niche gun, I could see myself buying a synthetic stainless. First or only gun though? I would buy wood.

stubblejumper...Am I missing something, or do you have this reversed...??.....

+1 .I recently got a Hawkeye in SS/Blk syn stock.Not as warm'n pretty as walnut but it'll take anything nature throws at it.

It really would depend on what you already have.
I have both and my synthetic stainless ruger is my rough hunt gun the wood and blue is just so pretty I can't stand the thought of scratching it much. Don't get me wrong it will be used and scratched just not like the other.

Thanks for all the opinions so far. This is going to be basically my first bolt rifle. I own an old model 94 lever right now and am just looking to get something to deer and coyote hunt with here inwisconsin, basically a new all around gun to use. I usually take decent care of my guns so im leaning towards the wood, but still am not sure, i just think that the synthetic/stainless would be a better deal for only 30 dollars more. To me looks matter somewhat, but not as much as fuctionality.