Rifles come in all shapes and sizes, and whether you use yours for shooting paper targets or sniping wild pigs, choosing a rifle that suits your needs and shooting style will make you a much more accurate and efficient shooter. The materials used to create your new rifle can have a huge influence on how it performs, especially when it comes to the material used to create the stock.
The stocks of modern rifles are generally made from one of two materials; traditional lacquered wood, or modern synthetic plastics. Each of these stock materials comes with its own pros and cons, and can dramatically affect how easy and comfortable your rifle is to use and how accurately it shoots. As such, you should familiarise yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each stock material before picking out a new rifle.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of wooden rifle stocks?
Beloved by traditionalists, wooden stocks still have a place in the modern world of rifle shooting. Most shooters would consider a wooden stock to be considerably more attractive than a synthetic stock, especially when made from highly prized walnut wood, although cheaper stocks made from myrtle or maple can be just as beautiful. While synthetic stocked rifles are rarely considered attractive enough to be a display piece, many rifles with wooden furniture take pride of place on the walls of garages and hunting lodges.
Wood is also a good choice if you feel the need the make adjustments to your stock down the line, for instance by adding lead recoil reducers or shaving down the top of the stock to accommodate a cheek piece. A touch of lacquer on the modified section of stock will leave your stock looking new and unmodified; synthetic stocks are far harder to modify without specialist tools.
Unfortunately, wooden rifle stocks do not hold up so well out in the field as they do on the range. They can crack and splinter if dropped on rocks or hard surfaces, and must be constantly waxed and oiled to prevent moisture from warping the stock wood and permanently spoiling your aim (this is particularly vital in humid conditions). Wooden-stocked rifles also tend to be considerably more expensive, especially if walnut wood is used.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of synthetic rifle stocks?
Synthetic rifle stocks are made from incredibly tough plastics, and can take a tremendous beating; dropping your synthetic rifle stock on a hard surface will do little more than dent it slightly. They are also waterproof, and can even stand submersion in streams and rivers without warping. This makes synthetic-stocked rifles ideal for hunting in the field, but also ensures that your aim will not be thrown off by stock warping if you lean more towards precision target shooting.
Synthetic stocks can also be lighter than wooden stocks, although this will largely depend on the specific materials the stock is made from. Heavier synthetic stocks are available if recoil dampening is more important to you than portability. All of these advantages don't come at a price either, and most synthetic stocked rifles are considerably cheaper than their timber-furnished cousins.
However, there's no denying that a synthetic-stocked rifle is a more utilitarian and less attractive piece of equipment than a rifle decked out in fine walnut wood, and traditionalists may avoid them. Scratches and minor dings are also harder to repair on synthetic stocks—while wooden stocks are more vulnerable to major damage, superficial damage can generally be effectively masked with a new coat of wax or lacquer.
For more information or assistance, contact a local gun shop.