I have run into a problem on my quest for a new rifle. I want the classic look of wood, but the ruggedness of a synthetic stock. Does anybody out there make a synthetic stock that looks like a wood pattern. I figure it would be a good comprimise between the two. Thanks.

Sevens

McMillan Stocks does. However... a better way is to just buy a cheap plastic stock, then go and buy a wood grain roller at home depot... in the paint supply section Works wonders on your car too!

I wish McMillian made a wood grain stock. They did make the Fibregrain but I don't think they do anymore. Hope I am wrong as I would order one.

There was a link to an old McMillan site on that Fibregrain but I can't find it right now.

Bell & Carlson used to do that too; some sort of photographic transfer like the new Beretta Ultra wood. You might see if they still do it.

McMillan's Fibergrain was notorious for not holding up very well to field use. The thin "woodgrain" layer was quite vulnerable to hard use, and would chip and peel with comparative ease, so it ultimately flopped and was discontinued.

I've found that McMillan's regular paint finish, though, is tougher'n
all heck, and stands up well to 'most anything, as does, of course, their molded-in colors and patterns.

I don't believe than anyone is making wood-grain type synthetic stocks anymore......

AD



I

I put on a couple of the McMillan woodgraind stocks about 15 years ago. The finish was indeed fragile and didn't stand up well to use. Looked good on the rack for a couple weeks!
If you want a stock that looks like wood you are probably best off using wood! Laminated stocks like the acrabond are better than the Rutland plywood products which are laminated birch. These are not as strong as the laminated walnut or maple and have a bit of a tendency to split.
Properly treated, a wood stock can be very stable but probably never quite equal to glass in really wet conditions. Regards, Bill.

Bill,

Do you have an opinion on the Accurate Innovations stocks? These are the ones with an HS-Precision-like aluminum bedding block which is supposed to isolate the action from any change in the wood. The barrel is free-floated. It might be another option, and it's one I'm considering too, so I'd appreciate any feedback.

Steve

So there is some demand for a wood grained composite stock. While it's easy to just assume that the technology is here it may not be when getting specific.



I had a stock on a Stevens 20 ga that seemed to be ABS made around 1955. That had swirl look that was close to grain! I have seen furnature with wood grain but made from synthetic materials.



It's not hard for me to visualize a gunshop filled with new rifles and many of them having XXX looking "wood" but all made from the synthetics using best methods otherwise.

Bill, I agree, if you want the look of wood, by all means get yourself a stock crafted from real wood!

My own experience with the Rutland laminated stuff has not been positive at all. I'd rather have a solid, natural walnut stock any day of the week over one of those. The walnut laminates I have not tried.

I remember reading in one of the gun magazines that Rutland placed one of their laminated blanks on top of their roof and left it there for several years. Finally it was retrieved, and was found to have been largely unaffected by the weather for all those years.

I found that testimony rather odd, because I had a stock built from a Rutland blank that began to de-laminate after one wet snowstorm......

AD

Sevens,
I have seen a couple, and the latest one ( i can't remember where i saw it) looked like CRAP, and it was the best one i had seen.

jeffe

Sevens, Ramline does offer syntethic stocks called Wood-Tech. Here is the link http://www.gunaccessories.com/Ramline/default.asp

Davaa

I have a McMillan fibergrain stock on my .222Rem.Mag. and am quite happy with it. Virtually all my shooting is from the bench so it doesn't get a lot of rough treatment, but it has held up well for several years. The savings in weight allowed me to use a heavier SS barrel which is a godsend. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Davaa, you certainly have been helping me out a lot. Has anyone tried the ramline stocks? They say they are injection molded and come with a decelrator recoil pad. Doesn't sound too bad, any thoughts? Anyone know the LOP?

Sevens

For lack of something nicer to say about them, they're junk, an expensive decelerator, if they come with one, and not much more.

Chuck

I have a LH stock for the Remington 700 LA. It is not currently on any action. The wood grain look is nice. Some of the guys at the gun club commented how pretty the rifle was--they couldn't tell it was fiberglass. It handles recoil well with the classic design and decelerator pad. It is a true drop-in fit. I have not used it in very hot/cold conditions. Some of the experts say the fiberglass injected molded stocks can warp in very hot weather and shatter in extreme cold. You get what you pay for. If the stock is used in normal moderate conditions I'd say go for it. The pattern is like exhibition grade English walnut. I hope this helps.