Thumbhole wood stock or synthetic?

[BowhunterNJ]

What are your preferences for shooting?  I've never shot a thumbhole stock, but have held them and they seem pretty darn comfortable.  I am debating on going for the thumbhole wood or synthetic.

What are the advantages/disadvantages?

[DEPUTY]

I like the wood laminated thumbholes! they fell good and i hold them steady! but then again it is a personal feel thing actually! i like thumbhole

[Wolfhound]

I've got one of each and I prefer the synthetic stock. My laminated stock has a slippery feel to it while the synthetic has a better gripping surface.

[trekker]

I like the feel of the thumbhole stocks bare-handed. My concern would be how they fit when wearing gloves during cold weather hunts. I prefer the laminated stocks, many of the synthetics are hollow and can create a nose-heavy feel in some guns. They also tend to kick a bit harder. JMHO.
Todd

[AndyHass]

I like the thumbhole on my Omega, though the front stud is a faulty design (barely held in).
  Synthetics tend to be lighter...my Omega is a HEAVY gun all decked out, several lbs heavier than my Lightning with synthetic.
  Synthetics do grip better too.  And they don't warp, and they don't get damaged as easily.
   If they sold the Omega with a synthetic thumbhole, I would have gotten that!

[BowhunterNJ]

Thanks for the replies thus far.

trekker, you bring up an excellent point with practicality in hunting situations where you may be hunting with gloves.  I didn't even think about gloving the thumbhole stock.

Things that come to mind is comfort in the feel, overall accuracy given the grip style (could be moot or shooter dependent/preference), overall accuracy given the stock material (i.e. wood swelling vs synthetic, could float both yes?, and durability of the wood vs synthetic...etc.

I think the thumbhole looks pretty bad ass myself, and I know bare hand comfort is really nice.  I tend to hunt with thin gloves, so I don't think it would pose a particular problem for me outside of when I use mittens over the thin gloves and if there is any obstruction in getting a solid grip.

Synthetic is appealing because it can take a beating, and I would think it would be inherently a bit more accurate because of the material.  This could be completely off base, I am just speculating under shooting conditions and heat if the stock swells.  Of course in hunting, you are taking "one shot" (ideally) and this may be moot, but at the range it could be significant.

Ahhh decisions, decisions...I recently acquired this problem as I've been more so consumed with archery over the last few years.  But I got into high powered rifles this year, and suddenly have a renewed interest in guns.  I really just enjoy shooting, lots of fun and I like to push the limits (target distance, not live animals) of a gun to see how she'll shoot.

On my wish list:

- Inline ML, still debating which one.  But I want a long range tack driver!
- Single shot H&R shotgun, real tack driver...know a few guys with these and they are pretty unreal in their accuracy.
- Semi-auto 12 gauge slug gun.  Need to research and figure out which is best for deer hunting purposes.
- 7mm mag high powered rifle for my next hpr hunting adventures! Still need to do some research on this as well.

Definitely having fun with it all, but as usual money is the toughest factor.  Can get expensive in a hurry, especially if you shoot alot.  Reloading is a definitely somewhere down the line.

Thanks again for the feedback, please keep it coming.

[BowhunterNJ]

Hrm, Andy I've never seen a synthetic thumbhole before...anyone here have one?  I'd certainly be interested in that.

I am kind of leaning towards synthetic, but that thumbhole stock looks and feels like the cat's meow.

[trekker]

Just another point re: stock swelling. Apparently the laminated stocks do not have this problem, at least not to the degree of the solid wood. They are supposed to offer synthetic-like durability with wood feel/looks. Just what I have been told and read on the net. We want to make sure we mess up your decision-making as much as possible!

[Wolfhound]

Hrm, Andy I've never seen a synthetic thumbhole before...anyone here have one?  I'd certainly be interested in that.

I am kind of leaning towards synthetic, but that thumbhole stock looks and feels like the cat's meow.

I've got one of these: Knight Extreme Very good feeling gun. It's a little more to clean than my other thumbhole stocked rifle. With a 25 1/2" (actual) barrel it's certainly capable of reaching out there. My only gripe is the full plastic jackets do not seal in the blowback. I have to use a scope protector or I get soot on my scope.

My other one: T/C Omega This one is my favorite although I do not like the slippery stock. With the 25 ACP conversion it is extremely clean and has no blow back. I may get some of the things you place on the stock to help with the grip. With a 26 1/2" actual barrel length this one is also capable of reaching out there. I tagged a yearling at 201 yds with mine. The downside to this one is the lousy recoil pad. This is easily fixed with a Sims.

[BowhunterNJ]

Cool thanks again for the additional info.  I do like those Sims recoil pads.  I had one installed on my Remington Model 700 30-06 Springfield, as its recoil pad was about as hard as a rock.  Very sweat recoil pad, makes shooting quite nice!

What do you do to cut down on the slippery stock?  My solution has been using a more "gripped" glove or leather based glove.  Anything cotton or fleece just slides around too much and I lose stability when aiming.

I hear ya about blowback.  My current ML, T/C High Plains Sporter No.11 percussion side hammer is scoped and has major blowback.  Burned the black gloss right off the side of my Burris Fullfield 3-9x40mm.  But she shoots nice, just takes a bit more to clean.

Has anyone here every floated their ML barrel, or do they just not get hot enough or swell enough to worry about it?  What methods are there for floating if you so desired?

[Wolfhound]

Cool thanks again for the additional info.  I do like those Sims recoil pads.  I had one installed on my Remington Model 700 30-06 Springfield, as its recoil pad was about as hard as a rock.  Very sweat recoil pad, makes shooting quite nice!

Yep. Got one for my Omega and after some minor fitting to the hard plate part works great. :grin:

What do you do to cut down on the slippery stock?  My solution has been using a more "gripped" glove or leather based glove.  Anything cotton or fleece just slides around too much and I lose stability when aiming.

I'm thinking of trying these: http://www.pachmayr.com/pachmayr/ Click on the Snap caps and Pac-skins button. Right now I just have to put up with it.

Has anyone here every floated their ML barrel, or do they just not get hot enough or swell enough to worry about it?  What methods are there for floating if you so desired?

I floated my Omega. I just removed the stock screws and used some medium grit sandpaper under the barrel until I could just slide a dollar under it. Had to put the screws in a few times to check that. Then I just sealed it with a little bow wax (only stuff I had that would work). Took a while to work it in.

[mostlyaccurate]

I shoot a Knight with a synthetic thumbhole.  I love it for stand hunting especially when I can prop and lock in to that thumb hole.  It's not my favorite for still hunting.  Shoots ok off hand but feels kinda awkward carrying it.