Stainless/synthetic vs. Wood/Blued steel

D

Dave3006

New member
I am going to buy the Model 70 in 30-06 for deer hunting. Does anyone have any comments on the Classic Stainless vs. the LT with blued finish and wood stock. I know
that the stainless will be less likely to rust. However, how much of a real concern is this? Are there any downsides to stainless?

The wood looks better to me than synthetic. Is it really less accurate due to swelling
ect.?

I am interested in the real world differences.


Thanks!
 
It took a long while for me to adapt to stainless steel finishes. First it was pistols. Suddenly, all my pistols had to be stainless. Next, I saw the beautiful Winchester Classic Stainless-- basically a work of art in stainless steel (and then began the 10 month search for one in .308)

My vote: Working gun Stainless/Synthetic, Show gun Wood/Blue Chromemoly

If you have the luxury, compare several Winchester Stainless 70s side by side-- stainless is notoriously difficult to mill and a few examples have displayed chatter/galling type flaws-- take the bolt out and examine it too.

Have you seen the finish on some of the Ruger stainless rifles-- sort of a matte dark grey. Is this simply good bead blasting or some other treatment? Very attractive- I'd like to finish my Winchester like that.

Furthermore, in a pinch, you could spray paint the stainless any color you needed then strip it off when the seasons change without damage and buff out any scratches or dings with a Scotch Brite pad...
 
Rust occurs from laziness and a failure to take proper care of a gun. (I'll excuse the occasional un-noticed drop of sweat...)

I won't argue a lot with DeBee, but I'm enough of a traditionalist that I'll stick with wood and blued steel. No big deal...

If you regularly hunt in a wet climate, and stay out in the field for lengthy hunts, I'd probably recommend the stainless. Just remember that stainless rusts *slower* than the blue--or stains, whatever...

A properly finished wood stock (with a dense wood) shouldn't swell or warp enough to hurt. Mine never have.

FWIW, Art
 
Actually, I like the new stainless/laminated wood combinations. Weatherproof and still some weight to help absorb the recoil. One thing that makes me almost cry is if I take a beautiful walnut stocked rifle into the woods and scratch it up. And I won't have a rifle that I can't or won't use and not worry about scratching it.

Yep, stainless makes sense to me.

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"Charlton Heston is my President"

Danny45
NRA, NAHC, Buckmasters
 
Get the Model 70 in the stainless/synthetic 30.06. The info I have is that the model 70 stainless gun has all internal stainless parts.Sure it might cost more but it will take alot longer for it to rust if you ever neglect wiping it down.With the synthetic stock you will feel more comfortable hunting in brush with it.Try the pre 64 action with the claw. One of the smoothest bolt actions in a common made rifle. Sure you can get into the high dollar guns and find smoother actions, but for the money I think you will like the model 70 in stainless. Good luck on your decision.
 
Have you seen the ruger #1 stainless with a laminated stock? I think it looks very sharp.



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Jerry V.
 
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