bad weather rifle

[bluecow]

just dont like synthetic stocks, but thinking of getting a bad weather rifle. h&r/nef 45-70 ( got 40 rds of nosler/win that i dont want to shoot in my trapdoor) anyone tell me the dif in these rifles as to hard wood vs. syn.  i know of all the " advantages" of syn.  will use ghost ring & fiber op.  only looking for min.of coffee cup at 75yrds or so.  will use this when i dont want to usa a handgun.  think im looking for that hard it put in words "feel of the gun".
thanks

[knight0334]

You really need not worry about using the wood 45-70 in bad weather.   Mine has seen rain, snow, and mud..  A fine coat of oil on the metal before you go out will help with rusting, then immediate cleaning once you get home will insure it even further.   I coat my wood stocks with 3-in-1 oil during the off season.  The wood absorbs a bit, helping to seal it off from moisture which causes wood to swell and sometimes change your zero.  I wipe the excess oil off right before use so its not slippery.

A synthetic stock doesn't have much on a properly finished wood stock these days.  Its more for personal taste and impact protection than bad weather.   Wood dents, scratches, and mars easier than synthetic. The pallet wood on a Handi isn't a fine marbly English walnut that one would want to keep in pristine condition, but rather a utilitarian grade piece of tree just meant to be held and used.    ...sorta like the difference between Russian Fabergé Egg and a Stanley clawhammer.

I'm not sure of the exact difference between the syn and wood Handi's..   I dont own a synthetic..

[GeorgiaDave]

Hello from Georgia,

   Wood or Synthetic ? How about one better than the both of them ? A Laminated stock is better in bad weather than a regular wood stock, and is far more natural and feels much better than a "fake" one. I do not hesitate to take any of my hunting guns afield in bad weather, but, a laminate is constructed in such a way that they are almost oblivious to any weather condition you could possibly be out in. Plus, the laminates just look so cool considering they come in different colors. I truly disdain plastic stocks on hunting rifles, and will never again buy one if there is a laminate option. These are the opinions of a regular ol Georgia Boy. Have a great day.

Dave

[Dinny]

Like the others, I too, prefer the laminates.  The synthetic stocks are quality-made but don't give me the warm and fuzzy feeling laminates do. Keep in mind that the synthetic stocks cost less. That's why I only have one laminate set.

Here's my "bad weather rifle"  H&R Handi 45LC coated with DuraCoat.  I only need oil on the inside to keep it moving.  The Titanic will rust away before the outside of my rifle does.




~Dinny