Also, I don't even look at wood stocked rifles--as they are more range toys than hunting pieces----hard hunting will give that wood stock more character than I could stand in a matter of minutes.
Stop using firearms as wheel chocks, pry-bars, hammers, and tent stakes, and the situation will improve ... greatly.
My wood-stocked rifles see the same usage as the plastic fantastic. The only one that has been significantly harmed by real world use is a Handi-Rifle that I was carrying when I got hit by an unforeseen snow storm (no forecast, no warning, came in like lightning). Most of the finish flaked off the stocks after I got the rifle thawed and dried out. But, even that was due to Remington using a crappy finish, rather than use or abuse.
A close second would be some gouges on my Ruger 77 Mk II. A borrowed, home-built set of shooting sticks lost their protective caps over some screws, and the screws gouged the bejesus out of the fore-end. Looked like absolute garbage ... until I touched it up with a little oil and wet sanding. Now, even if one knows they're there, one must really look to find the remaining damage.
Had it been a plastic stock... no chance for repair. It would have just looked like crap forever.
Most people buying bolt actions are buying plastic/composite, because that's what is most readily available and most affordable.
Me? I have three and a half in plastic (my son's Crickett isn't a whole rifle). The rest have wood stocks, and all future projects are currently slated for wood ranging from decent (surplus Winchester 670 blanks) to very nice (highly figured specialty blanks).
No matter what the stock material is: If one treats their firearms like garbage, they'll look like garbage. Treat them well and take care of them, and they'll look good for a very long time.
The same goes for longevity. Treat 'em like crap, they die, and you're right back in the market for the current flavor of the month. Treat 'em well, and the investment lasts much longer.