Author Topic: Synthetic vs. Laminate (Read 913 times)

smoky · « **on:** December 24, 2003, 05:38:04 AM »

My original encore purchase was a stainless action with synthetic rifle stocks. I have since set it up as a pistol.

I am now contemplating rifle and muzzle loader set ups and think that I may actually prefer laminate.

My main question and concern is the weight. Does anyone know what the weight difference will be in a rifle configuration with the laminates versus synthetic?

Also, are there any experiences with recoil increase or reduction with either set up? Likewise, can a sims or pachmayer recoil pad be installed on either set up.

Finally, I would just like to know in general, what your preferences and opinons are on which way I should go with this.

Thanks for the help.

Smoky

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 24, 2003, 06:14:19 AM »

The laminated factory stocks are nice looking but prone to breaking on the muzle loader barrels. The wood stocks that T/C makes are prone to split right behind the action while loading with Muzzle loader barrels and then come apart when shot. I strongly recommend the synthetic T/C stock or one of the many after marker stocks such as virgin valley or bullberry where they use the aluminum bedding block to set the action into the butstock.

str8shooter48 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 24, 2003, 08:09:55 AM »

I have a laminated Stock set I bought at E.A.Brown Co.. They are made by Boyd. From what I can see with they are quite a bit beefier in the pistolgrip area than factory wood and synthetic stocks.

I bought my Encore 209x50 stainless with synthetic. That was the only option available in stainless. In my opinion the synthetic stockset is in the right place, sitting on top of my safe. The laminated stock balances the gun better, cuts felt recoil down, quieter. and the pepper laminate looks a whole lot better than synthetics

As far as the laminated stocks cracking, only time will tell. I don't see it. As glued veneers are a whole lot stonger and stable than walnut.

smoky · « **Reply #3 on:** December 24, 2003, 08:38:07 AM »

str8shooter48,

Your set up is exactly what I am after, unless I am convenced to stay with the synthetics. I have the Boyd's pepper laminate pistol grip and forend on my pistol set up and like it so far.

You mention that it balances the gun better with the laminate stocks, but does it increase the weight much?

str8shooter48 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 24, 2003, 10:05:37 AM »

Smoky, I'm guessing a 1/2 lb to the package, but to be truthful I never really noticed whatever extra weight there is. I really like them as a matter of fact I printed out the order blank from Boyds website. After CHRISTmas I'm ordering the other two rifle forends. I'm planning on a 22-250 26" hvy s/s. and a 24" sporter weight barrel. Caliber to be determined later, seeing I live and hunt in a shotgun /pistol only area of NY.

I'm glad to hear your happy with your pistol setup. Thats my summer project. I'm looking into a 15" 7mm-08 bbl. for deer next fall. I'll probrably do the laminates for that setup too.

T/C barrels are like Lays potato chips. Bet you can't have just one. :grin:

Good Luck on whatever you decide.

Happy Holidays

Muddyboots · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2003, 02:14:47 PM »

I purchased the 20 ga slug barrel from Custom Shop last year and got the forend and stock in walnut at same time. Both are from Boyd and no trouble at all and at least 150 rounds of 3" slugs have been shot. It has a snarl so it really has a pop to it. I have checked the stock repeatedly for cracks and so far so good from Boyd. I use stock for 06 with 26" heavy barrel as well so it gets pounded pretty good and is holding up well. The extra weight of wood is appreciated instead of synthetic. I just priced out gray laminate from VV and OUCH!!! It was over $400 with cheek piece. I'm sure it is worth it but I need to pick up some more barrels first.
Muddyboots

DannoBoone · « **Reply #6 on:** December 24, 2003, 03:46:55 PM »

I noticed a crack behind the receiver in my original stock just two weeks
prior to ML season last year. Contacted T/C and they said turnaround time
would be 6 weeks, no exceptions. Called Boyds for their laminate stock
and had it in 3 DAYS. It is beefier than the original, plus has the added
strength laminated wood is known for. Have shot at least a 100 hot ML
rounds through it since (plus a lot of CF cartridges), and no worse for
wear. Also put a Limbsaver butt pad on it and life is now sweet with it. I
can see where the VVCG or Bulberry stock system would be even
stronger, but the prices -- OUCH!!

The "physics" of the matter is that with any added weight, you will have
less recoil transferred to you, noticeable or not.

doc-and · « **Reply #7 on:** December 25, 2003, 03:45:27 AM »

I purchased EABCO Pepper Laminated stock earlier this year for a stainless 6mm Remington and couldn't be happier. It is as one of the posters stated about a half pound heavier but feels great with my bull barrel set-up :grin: . I also own a composit stock on a blue 223 that I've been thinking of selling off and replacing with the EABCO Nutmeg set. I like the beefier area around the grip.

I also will probably be changing out the wood & composite sets on my 2 pistols also with laminate sets. The reason there is I DON"T LIKE THE FORENDS!!!!! :evil: I would like something a little longer and wider for shooting off of bags or rest or to be able to hang a Harris Bi-Pod off of. Just my opinion.

doc-and

Raven · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2003, 05:14:24 AM »

Doc,

I feel the same way about the little rubber TC factory forends for the encore pistol. The Boyd's pistol forends are a direct copy of the small rubber and wood TC factory models. I solved the problem by modifying a Boyd's laminated rifle forearm, which is much longer and wider than the pistol forends that are currently available. The hole spacing is not the same on the rifle and pistol barrels (I am not sure why). The rear hole in the rifle length forearm matches up with the pistol barrel, however, you will have to drill a new hole for the front screw on the pistol barrel. That leaves an extra hole in the forend. I just cut the forend off at this hole. Then I reshaped the end with a belt sander. I also opened up the barrel channel and glued some stainless washers in the forend to free float the barrel. After that I sanded and refinished with true oil. The result was a much beefier forend that is at least 1/2 to 3/4" in wider and 1.25" longer with a much better feel than the rubber factory forend. It looks great, rides the bags better at the bench, and also has a wider surface to rest on while in the field. I also installed a sling stud in the forend for a sling or bipod mount. Bullberry and VV make similar custom forends, however you have to consider the cost and the wait. The boyd's rifle forend that I modified only cost $35 plus elbow grease.

With the help and advise of Javelina and 444, I may end up removing the washers and pillar bed the forend for added strength for bipod usage with heavy recoiling calibers.