Wood to synthetic?

[hunting1]

I have a 300WM with wood stocka nd scope that shoots great, but at 9lbs +/- it gets a little heavy. My question is A should I try a after market synthetic stock to cut some weight? B which one should I look at? Thanks :grin:

[biglmbass]

Thought I'm not a huge fan of them, swapping to a  synthetic stock should be lighter.  There's one listed in the classifieds for a Ruger M77 last time I looked.  For cheaper you could look for one of the current production Ruger synthetics on online auction sites.  Be aware, a lighter gun will recoil more than your current wood stocked gun.

[Lawdog]

I have a 300WM with wood stocka nd scope that shoots great, but at 9lbs +/- it gets a little heavy. My question is A should I try a after market synthetic stock to cut some weight? B which one should I look at? Thanks :grin:

Yeah you can loose a couple of pounds of weight and gain from 10 - 15 pounds of free recoil(depending on load used).  Take you right up there with the .375 H&H recoil wise.  No offense but I think that switching to a "toy"(synthetic/plastic) stock is a very bad idea.  Personally for the .300 Win. Mag. I would stay with a wood stock.  Your shoulder will thank you for it.  Lawdog
 

[hunting1]

The more I think about the recoil is good as is and if I go trying to make it light the accuracy will suffer. Think I will leave it as is. Thanks

[Redhawk1]

I just think wood is the best, recoil and looks.  

[armory414]

Are you going to hunt with the gun, or just shoot from a bench?  If shooting from a bench, leave it as it is, as you're only going to carry it from the car to the range.  If hunting with it you're going to carry it more than shoot it.  How many shots will you take at a deer or elk?  Probably 2 at most, and your shoulder can probably take that

[Redhawk1]

Are you going to hunt with the gun, or just shoot from a bench?  If shooting from a bench, leave it as it is, as you're only going to carry it from the car to the range.  If hunting with it you're going to carry it more than shoot it.  How many shots will you take at a deer or elk?  Probably 2 at most, and your shoulder can probably take that

I agree with you, but personally the wood looks better. But if I go to a real wet climate, I will take a synthetic stock. 90% of my rifles are wood stocks and the other 10% are synthetic stock.

[armory414]

I like wood better also.  But, if I had to carry a 9 lb. rifle all day, by days end I would probably care less about what the gun looked like.

Hunting1:  are you attached to this particular rifle?  Instead of changing stocks, why not look into changing guns all together?  I've handled Steyr Pro-hunters that are pretty light (synthetic stocked guns, especially).

[Lawdog]

The more I think about the recoil is good as is and if I go trying to make it light the accuracy will suffer. Think I will leave it as is. Thanks

Congratulations on your decision.   :toast:   I have found that a 9(+/-) lb. rifle is easier to hold steady when shooting than a 7 lb. rifle.  Not so susceptible to the beat of your heart.  Also when you are a bit winded.  Yeah, you made the right choice in my opinion.  Lawdog
 

[Redhawk1]

The more I think about the recoil is good as is and if I go trying to make it light the accuracy will suffer. Think I will leave it as is. Thanks

Congratulations on your decision.   :toast:   I have found that a 9(+/-) lb. rifle is easier to hold steady when shooting than a 7 lb. rifle.  Not so susceptible to the beat of your heart.  Also when you are a bit winded.  Yeah, you made the right choice in my opinion.  Lawdog
 

We all know your a wood man.  

[Coyote Hunter]

My Ruger .300 WM has the older “canoe paddle” synthetic stock, light but stronger than heck and impervious to weather.  Last Sunday it put 4 Barnes 180g TSX’s with a muzzle velocity of 3038fps into 0.85” at 100 yards.  Recoil is quite manageable and accuracy doesn’t seem to be hurt any by the lighter stock.  

YMMV

[hunting1]

Recoil is good right now, but those mountains a pound is a big deal. I usually bow hunt and have only carried it once while bear hunting and by end of day it was heavy! Thanks to all and getting another rifle may be easier, but it shoots 1/2" with handloads.

[Lawdog]

The more I think about the recoil is good as is and if I go trying to make it light the accuracy will suffer. Think I will leave it as is. Thanks

Congratulations on your decision.   :toast:   I have found that a 9(+/-) lb. rifle is easier to hold steady when shooting than a 7 lb. rifle.  Not so susceptible to the beat of your heart.  Also when you are a bit winded.  Yeah, you made the right choice in my opinion.  Lawdog
 

We all know your a wood man.  

You’re right.   :toast:   I only use and recommend the best.     Lawdog