I posted this in Big Game section as well trying to elicit some opinions.
I have a Win M70 that I've had for 3+ years and have been very happy with the accuracy, ( 1.25" groups with a 1.5-5 scope and factory cartridges). It is a .375 H&H Mag in "Classic" Stainless / Synthetic, however I always vowed to change the stock to wood cuz' I've never really been a fan of synthetic......no character or warmth like wood. So I bought a factory Winchester Safari Express stock for it and put the whole thing together including the new stainless 1 piece bottom metal and it looks fantastic, stainless & wood. Well the other night I got the bug and took it all apart again and put it back in the synthetic and decided it needs to stay that way, I even listed the wood stock in the "Accurate" classifieds.
Am I doing the right thing or what? What are your opinions?
It looks it's best in wood, but I know that all the hunts I will take it on it will be better in synthetic ( Alaska Moose and Bears, Elk, maybe Africa ).

I have one with a beautiful wood stock that shot like yours. I put it in a synthetic stock and replaced the floorplate with a Williams unit. Bedded it and am rasdy to go . Haven't shot it yet. I hope I won't be disappointed. I was going into wet places where thought synthetic would be better but I kept all the original parts!

Why not keep both stocks?
Use wood when it is appro, and go to synthentic when the weather warrants it.

I do just that with my Blaser R 93's.
I use the wood when I want to "look good" and the synthentic when on a rough duty type of hunt.
Another great thing about the Blaser's.

To reply to NE 450 no2, my wood stock is cut a little different than my synthetic, the wood stock has more substance to it taming more of the recoil I'm sure but feeling different than the plastic stock, I'm afraid I'd have a hard time switching back and forth, just a feeling thing I guess.

From what you have stated the synthentic stock fits yhou the best, if so that is the one to go with.

Another nice thing about the Blaser r 93, I cannot tell any difference between the different stocks.

Other than looks, a good synthentic stock is never a bad choice for the "field".
If the stock seems too hot in the sun, or too cold in the winter just fit a buttstock shell carrier from www.murrayleather.com.

I have a Classic Stainless in 375 and have two stocks. The original plastic and a wood stock from a safari express. I have ordered a McMillan and am waiting its arrival. For hunting here in Alaska I will use the McMillan, when I go back to Africa I will use the wood stock. I really like the looks of the stainless rifle in the wood stock and prefer wood over synthetic. I spend so much time in the rain while hunting the synthetic just is so practical and makes life so much easier so I've decided to go with both as appropriate.

JD

Well I like my guns to look good, but more importantly they need to work well. I was in the same situation as you and decided to keep the sythetic stock on that rifle. I did have it painted in a black/gray web by Bell & Carlson, I even put a black sythetic sling on it. It works good for an all weather rifle and it even has got a few compliments on its looks. I am happy with it and ultimately that is all that matters!

Which fiferglass stock will hold up to a 416 Rem Mag in a Model 70 exress .I have H-S stocks on my two Remington Big Game 416s in model 70.They are awesome stocks.I just wondered if they made one for the Winchester 416 also?