driftrider

The solution to you problem lies with laminate wood stocks. They're a bit heavier than wood, but when properly clear-coated, just as stable as synthetic, and as durable as either. Oh, and they look pretty nice, IMO, too.

Mike

nchawkeye

Wood stocks are fine, my Ruger M-77 is almost 30 years old, no problems...If you ever do have a problem all you have to do is free float, pillar bed and seal the barrel channel...

I'd go with the 700 CDL...

RobertSubnet

Well I am late to this post, but better late than never I suppose.

Grouse I completely agree with you and I don't feel that I am living in the past.

Synthetic stocks have many advantages and I don't look down on anyone who chooses to purchase one. But for my money, guns should be blue and wood stocked - they just look better.

skiking

I hate the synthetic stocks on most rifles, but I can put up with an ugly stock if it is a high quality one. I don't like laminates too much either.

elgallo114

Rifles are just tools to me. I really don't care how they look. I pick my rifles and the parts I put on them according to how they will perform for me. Now, I try to take care of them, and in turn, they usually look nice. But I don't take care of them so they'll look nice. I take care of them so they'll perform.

vabyrd

Synthetic stocked rifles are easier to build than wood, that's what the shelves are full of them. Problem is a lot of the wood stocked rifles you find today have a pretty pathetic finish. The new Model 70's are a bit lacking in that department. Just get what you like. If you ding it up, so be it.

Centaur 1

I like wood also. I only have one gun with a synthetic stock and it's an 870 turkey gun. As far as worrying about the wood swelling, I remove the stock and coat everything thats hidden with Formsby's tung oil finish. I don't think that some manufacturers worry about what can't be seen, and any unfinished wood will soak up water. You don't have to make it pretty, just protect it.

DeerandbearhoG

you dont apprieciate a sythetic stock until youve spent any real time hunting waterfowl. I also think a walnut/ gloss buled gun w/ dings and scratches on it is uglier that a black plactic workhorse anyday, my guns go in the safe when Im not using them so I dont really care how pretty they are anyway, if I want to hold somthing pretty Ill take my gibson SG out of the case.(hope my wife doesnt read that last part)

instinct

I actually like synthetic stocks more than wood just for the durability. In my opinion you just can't beat the look of a beautiful wood stock.

CarpetBagger

To each his own in this department. My Model 700 SPS Stainless has a pretty ugly stock but I'm ok with it for the most part, but the gun its self topped with a Leupold VXIII is deadly accuracte and serves its purpose as a tool.

There is something to be said about a beautiful wood stock though...Some guns I have seen I would have issues with them being furniture let alone taking them out in the rain and snow to bump em off trees..

I think there are guns you hunt with and guns you look at....thats just me...