Best wood on new Winchester Model 70 Super Grades?

Rifleman97 said:
I disagree entirely that walnut is stronger than maple. It is weaker in pretty much every measurable metric, and the more wild the grain is the more weak it is due to the grain structure.

Before maple bats they used Ash as far as I know, and ash is considerably stronger than walnut as well, but its grain structure is less likely to break cross grain. I can get into the weeds if you want, but my profession requires me to be a bit of an expert on wood structure and strength. I'm not saying walnut is a bad stock wood, it works, but it's definitely not stronger than other options we have, just prettier
Click to expand...
I'm just going with straight grain wood.
Uncle Sam used walnut and also birch.
You are correct about ash baseball bats. Some batters switched to maple to increase bat speed.
As far as gunstocks, I love the look of nicely figured walnut.
I have noticed with Winchesters, the Claro and French stocked rifles cost more than black walnut.
 
wilehunting said:
Ordering one would be like buying a "pig in a poke". Even if a good recommendation is made in the Claro vs French, with the variations in grain structure and color it may end up being a disappointing purchase. Proverbs 16:9 comes to mind. When I was on a quest for a "perfect stocked" Browning Citori XT I went to Joel Etchen guns and went through all their inventory to pick the one I liked "best" and he had quite a few on hand.
Click to expand...
And....beauty is in the eye of the beholder.....one man's trash is another man's treasure....as in stocks and women.....
 
Look on Gunbroker, other than in person, about the only place to see the wood of the rifles. Most dealers won't open boxes, its a coin flip.
 
This is what I think of for wood when someone mentions Exhibition Grade....just me
Screenshot_20260505-100013.png
 
WEATHERBY460 said:
Looking at buying one but will need to order since no gun stores around me stock them. I want a darker wood, so Maple is out. They make 3 other models: Super Grade, Super Grade French Walnut, and Super Grade AAA Claro. What's better looking, the French or the Claro? I'm not finding any AAA Claro's in stock, so that model must be limited. Frenches and the regular super grades are easy to find. Thanks
Click to expand...
The type of walnut isn't so important as the figure in the specific stock you get. There can be a big variation between stocks, but you will probably get something very nice in the best grades. If possible, look at a few rifles or at least ask for pictures of your potential purchase.
 
Rifleman97 said:
I disagree entirely that walnut is stronger than maple. It is weaker in pretty much every measurable metric, and the more wild the grain is the more weak it is due to the grain structure.

Before maple bats they used Ash as far as I know, and ash is considerably stronger than walnut as well, but its grain structure is less likely to break cross grain. I can get into the weeds if you want, but my profession requires me to be a bit of an expert on wood structure and strength. I'm not saying walnut is a bad stock wood, it works, but it's definitely not stronger than other options we have, just prettier
Click to expand...
Maple wood strength varies greatly, depending on the variety. Here in WNY, Silver Maples are noted for being fast growing, but suffering lots of damage following high wind and ice storm events. If you have to take down a Norway Maple, it is best to have the chainsaw blade freshly sharpened and plan to sharpen it again when your done.
 
highfinblue said:
purty
Click to expand...
Little Church Mouse said:
Maple wood strength varies greatly, depending on the variety. Here in WNY, Silver Maples are noted for being fast growing, but suffering lots of damage following high wind and ice storm events. If you have to take down a Norway Maple, it is best to have the chainsaw blade freshly sharpened and plan to sharpen it again when your done.
Click to expand...
It doesn't really matter which species of wood is stronger, only that the wood used is strong enough for the recoil of the rifle. Many stocks fail because of the grain pattern and direction in the high stress areas of the stock. A stock with grain that follows the curve of the stock in the area of the wrist/pistol grip will be the strongest.
 

Similar threads

M
New Winchester Model 70???
Replies
9
Views
26K
winmag
W
C
New Winchester Model 70
Replies
10
Views
13K
mtelkhntr78
M
D
Any feedback on a new Model 70 Super Grade
Replies
0
Views
2K
DUKFVR
D
Sykes
Winchester model 70
Replies
9
Views
8K
TBuckus
T
Vortex!
Winchester model 70
2
Replies
14
Views
2K
Vortex!
Vortex!

Recent Posts

Back
Top