I wouldn't have nothing but wood on my guns. Hrmmph!
I believe the synthetic stock is cheaper and appeals to the hunters because you really don't have to worry about messing up the finish when hunting. They're also lighter and come in CAMO!!!! for the rifles that want to hide
Along with water resistance and all else they make a good hunting tool, or something you don't have to protect and worry about scratching or dinging up,therefore reducing re-sale value.
Still, my guns have wood stocks, and hunting/handling marks only seem to add character!!
I mean, what's better,showing the crew your camo plastic rifle, or explaining that little scratch in the wood happened when you shot your record boone and crockett buck with your trusty rifle?
Scratches and dings are memories of the past.
Besides that, you can't have a engraver carve a fancy scroll or animal on a plastic stock. You can't put silver or gold,or wire inlays in a plastic stock.
They are cold dead machines with no feeling to me.
George