Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Commando on October 31, 2018, 01:42:43 PM

Title: Wood stocks?
Post by: Commando on October 31, 2018, 01:42:43 PM: Looking to get a 270 and was wondering how many of you guys use wood stocks on the wet side? I’ve heard a composite sticknwould be better for hunting over on this side because of the rain? I might be over thinking it but is there really any disadvantage to using a wood rifle in the rain? No swelling or anything like that? I’ll knly be using it on the weekends and would let it dry out as soon as I get home. Thanks
Title: Re: Wood stocks?
Post by: doubletall on October 31, 2018, 04:24:33 PM: On the wet side it seems to me the only reason to go with wood is aesthetics. Composite stocks are lighter and water is not an issue. I love my Dad's Winchester Model 88 but I'd rather pack my Ruger American.
Title: Re: Wood stocks?
Post by: Bofire on October 31, 2018, 05:50:58 PM: get what you like, wood stocks work fine, they are sealed very well and have worked. for years get synthetic if you want or laminated. Maintain it and you will be fine.
Carl
Title: Re: Wood stocks?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on October 31, 2018, 05:58:59 PM: Floating the barrel/bedding the action will help with wood on the wetside.
Title: Re: Wood stocks?
Post by: Jpmiller on October 31, 2018, 06:06:41 PM: I run a wood stock on my rifle because I like the look and I've never had an issue with it swelling or warping.

My 870 got swapped out for synthetic after it warped but it was spending alot of time in water in a flooded duck blind. I was a dumb kid and would routinely leave the butt of the shotgun in the water resting on my foot. Bad move.
Title: Re: Wood stocks?
Post by: Stein on October 31, 2018, 08:11:58 PM: Quote from: doubletall on October 31, 2018, 04:24:33 PM
On the wet side it seems to me the only reason to go with wood is aesthetics. Composite stocks are lighter and water is not an issue. I love my Dad's Winchester Model 88 but I'd rather pack my Ruger American.

:yeah: I would never consider a wood stock, but I'm more of a "it's a tool" guy then sentimental. Wood stocks are inferior to good poly stocks in every way except for the look and feel.
Title: Re: Wood stocks?
Post by: huntingfool7 on October 31, 2018, 08:32:44 PM: You can keep that cold clammy plastic. Wood is warmer when your hands are cold and wet.
Title: Re: Wood stocks?
Post by: yorketransport on October 31, 2018, 08:55:25 PM: Quote from: Stein on October 31, 2018, 08:11:58 PM
Quote from: doubletall on October 31, 2018, 04:24:33 PM
On the wet side it seems to me the only reason to go with wood is aesthetics. Composite stocks are lighter and water is not an issue. I love my Dad's Winchester Model 88 but I'd rather pack my Ruger American.

:yeah: I would never consider a wood stock, but I'm more of a "it's a tool" guy then sentimental. Wood stocks are inferior to good poly stocks in every way except for the look and feel.

I wouldn't go quite that far. Wood stocks transmit recoil differently than polymer stocks and the biggest attribute for me is that they have a more natural sound when working through the brush. When a branch smacks against a synthetic stock of any kind, it makes a hollow thud. When the same branch hits a wood stock it sounds like wood hitting wood.

I have a couple of wood stocked rifles with my favorite being the little CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel. It's been a hard use tool since it was built and the stock shows it. The same goes for my Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan in 375 in the Hogue over molded stock, it's been my other working gun for about 10 years and the stock shows it. The CZ looks like it's got character where the Ruger stock just looks like it's been drug behind a truck. Both guns come out in any weather with no concern for their well being and both have to get treated the same when I get home; barreled action pulled from the stock and the stock is allowed to dry before the action goes back in there. I haven't found either style of stock to offer any function benefit when they're both care for properly.