Synthetic versus laminate wood custom stocks

[magedon44]

Hey guys,.. Im just getting into this long range shooting and looking to customize my left handed tikka T3 300 wsm. Id like to put a new stock on it. Tikka Performance. com has a bunch of options to choose from for leftys . I can either pick synthetic or laminate . Is there any advantages or disadvantages to the make up of the stock? I heard about wood swelling and synthetic twisting? i, not sure if there is any truth to that or not??? any advice would be appreciated! thanks!

 

[Hunter2678]

Grab your popcorn this may get good. FWIW Im big on feel and having owned both synthetic and wood I prefer wood/lam stocks as they simply feel better to me, more solid, more organic, more of what I grew up with. I also know that they are just as stiff if not stiffer than synthetics too. Tons of world records have been set with laminated/wood stocks so they're definitely no slouch in the accuracy potential department.

 

[Hunter2678]

Joel Russo would be a good person to ask about the wood stocks on this forum.

 

[tinkerer]

I'm with hunter on this one. I have both. I prefer laminate. It's dimensionally stable, finishes like regular wood, and damps vibrations well. Besides, I like finishing wood.

That having been said, synthetics paint nicely.

You're choice.

Larry
tinkerer

 

[azsugarbear]

When it comes to wood laminate stocks, you're in a completely different world than your std. wood stocks. Swelling, warping, etc. don't seem to be an issue with good laminates. The biggest plus I see in laminate stocks is that they run a little bit less in $$ than synthetic. The biggest 'negative' (if you can call it that) would most likely be weight.

 

[86alaskan]

I'm going with the laminate crowd on this one. They're heavier yes, but that leads to recoil absorbtion and added stability when aiming. Als, if you have minor fit issues, you can whip out the sandpaper and get that perfect custom fit, then just a little stock finish and you're good as new.

 

[WildRose]

Grab your popcorn this may get good. FWIW Im big on feel and having owned both synthetic and wood I prefer wood/lam stocks as they simply feel better to me, more solid, more organic, more of what I grew up with. I also know that they are just as stiff if not stiffer than synthetics too. Tons of world records have been set with laminated/wood stocks so they're definitely no slouch in the accuracy potential department.

Yep, good laminate or good synthetic there is little or no difference in as long as both are quality stocks.

There is a slight advantage to the synthetic in that they don't get dinged up as easy and if it does, a little epoxy, sanding and a new coat of paint and it's good as new.

 

[WildRose]

I'm going with the laminate crowd on this one. They're heavier yes, but that leads to recoil absorbtion and added stability when aiming. Als, if you have minor fit issues, you can whip out the sandpaper and get that perfect custom fit, then just a little stock finish and you're good as new.

Yep, after bedding and floating mine I'll set them out and give the channel a daily rub down with Formby's tung oil finish till it quits drinking it up and then seal it with minwax or shellac. I have yet to ever have to re oil or reseal one after doing so.

 

[The Oregonian]

I also suggest talking to joel....I asked m very similar questions and, to paraphrase, he said real wood, when sealed correctly, is not much different from laminate. Weight is also not that different.

That said, don't take my word for it, talk to Joel....very few areas. Knowledgeable as he is.

 

[Joel Russo]

I'm going with wood on this as well...but, my disclaimer is that wood is not for everyone.
A properly finished wood or laminated wood stock will not exhibit any twisting or warping as long as the blank had the acceptable moisture content when it was cut, bedded and finished.
If not properly finished, the blank will act like a sponge and absorb and expel moisture over time. Without getting into specifics regarding free water cells and the like, just know that the best laminated or hardwood blank is only as good as the finishing that was put on it..
Personally, I feel the wood stocks do a better job of dampening and controlling harmonic vibrations than the composite or aluminum pieces. Therefore making tuning easier. Wood has heart and soul, and each piece tells a different story.
Whether it be composite or wood, in order to exude the accuracy potential of your barreled action, each must be properly fitted and bedded.