synthetic vs laminate stocks

[ehunter]

I have a model 70 winchester the stock is now showing 25 years of wear and I have refinshed it 3 times I am thinking of a new stock. Can some body give me the pros and cons of these stocks.

thanks

[Dan360]

Both synthetics and laminates are fairly weatherproof. The laminate gives you the "wood feel", yet it also gives you the "wood weight". Boyds Gunstocks makes a very nice laminated stock for a reasonable price called the JRS (designed by John R. Sundra). They also can bore out some of the nonessential wood to make the stock lighter. I believe that the asthetics are much nicer than most synthetic stocks. The bedding surface is usually solid, even though some inletting may be necessary. They may not be as weather resistant as synthetics, but far and away better than wood or factory plastic stocks.

Synthetics are usually much lighter and more durable still. You should do a lot of research before purchasing one. Stay away from anything "injection molded" because these stocks are mostly hollow and don't provide a good bedding surface. Laid-up fiberglass and Kevlar are popular materials. H-S Precision and McMillan make very nice stocks with aluminium bedding blocks installed, but don't expect a "drop-in" fit because your rifle may be slightly different. Bell & Carlson's Carbelite stock is a fine stock, but be prepared to have aluminium pillars installed for your action screws to provide more solid bedding. Premium synthetics are often spendy, in the 275 to 325 dollar range. The money is worth it because if you scratch it up, all you have to do is repaint it. Also, the true fiberglass/kevlar/composites are very rigid and strong, weatherproof as it gets.

You just have to balance out what you would like in a stock. I have both laminates and synthetics. I prefer either to walnut in performance, though walnut is the most attractive to me. In the end, I would just get what you think looks the coolest of the two.