I started hunting in the mid 1970's with a walnut/blue Rem 700. I ended up on some pretty rugged backpack hunts starting about 1977 and quickly discovered that I didn't like wood. By the end of a hunt in 1982 my stock looked like it had been attacked by a family of rabid beaver from the 1970's era backpack's metal buckles and frames. It was always accurate enough, but changes in weather resulted in point of aim wandering all over the place. It had to be re-zeroed every few months.
In early 1983 I ordered a Garrett Acculite stock and then a Brown Precision for another rifle. The stocks cost more than the rifles, but I reduced the weight I was carrying by 1/2 -3/4 lb and found that I could hunt for years and never touch the scope adjustment. I'm 60 now and haven't hunted with a wood stocked bolt gun since I was 25. And have no plans to. My go-to rifles today have McMillan's on them. Even the old 700 now is in a McMillan stock.
Over the last 35 years I've witnessed too many wood stocks either fail or have the POI wander all over the place. I appreciate good wood as much as anyone, but I burn wood in my wood stove by the truck load that looks as good as what they put on 95% of the wood stocked guns on dealers shelves. I do have several older Marlin and Winchester lever guns to scratch the walnut/blue itch when I get it. But want nothing to do with it on my bolt guns.
There is a HUGE difference between the high end stocks and anything else. Most of the mid-priced stocks such as Hogue, Bell & Carlson and HS-Precision are not significantly better than the factory plastic injection molded stocks. In many cases the factory plastic is better. If you're not going to go high end synthetic then my advice is to stay with the factory synthetics instead of after market. I've had very good luck with those. The secret is to give them a generous free float so there is no way for the stock to touch the barrel.
I'm also not a fan at all of plywood stocks. They are the heaviest of all options and in reality offer no advantages over solid wood or cheap synthetics.
You don't get a lightweight stock until you get one made with kevlar. Even the high end fiberglass construction stocks are no lighter than wood. Some of the factory synthetic stocks are a few ounces lighter than wood, but no where near as light as the high end stocks made from kevlar. The mid-priced synthetic stocks are heavier, sometimes MUCH heavier than wood. Having weight reduction is one of the primary reason to go synthetic. Paying $300 for a heavier stock just makes no sense to me when I can pay $500 and get a much better stock that is a 1 1/2 lbs to 2 lbs+ lighter than the $300 stock.
SS vs blue steel. Makes no difference to me. SS is a little easier to keep clean. Blue will develop some surface rust and the blue will wear thin in some areas from use. But if the weather causes either type to fail on you it is due to neglect. Not the type of steel.
In early 1983 I ordered a Garrett Acculite stock and then a Brown Precision for another rifle. The stocks cost more than the rifles, but I reduced the weight I was carrying by 1/2 -3/4 lb and found that I could hunt for years and never touch the scope adjustment. I'm 60 now and haven't hunted with a wood stocked bolt gun since I was 25. And have no plans to. My go-to rifles today have McMillan's on them. Even the old 700 now is in a McMillan stock.
Over the last 35 years I've witnessed too many wood stocks either fail or have the POI wander all over the place. I appreciate good wood as much as anyone, but I burn wood in my wood stove by the truck load that looks as good as what they put on 95% of the wood stocked guns on dealers shelves. I do have several older Marlin and Winchester lever guns to scratch the walnut/blue itch when I get it. But want nothing to do with it on my bolt guns.
There is a HUGE difference between the high end stocks and anything else. Most of the mid-priced stocks such as Hogue, Bell & Carlson and HS-Precision are not significantly better than the factory plastic injection molded stocks. In many cases the factory plastic is better. If you're not going to go high end synthetic then my advice is to stay with the factory synthetics instead of after market. I've had very good luck with those. The secret is to give them a generous free float so there is no way for the stock to touch the barrel.
I'm also not a fan at all of plywood stocks. They are the heaviest of all options and in reality offer no advantages over solid wood or cheap synthetics.
You don't get a lightweight stock until you get one made with kevlar. Even the high end fiberglass construction stocks are no lighter than wood. Some of the factory synthetic stocks are a few ounces lighter than wood, but no where near as light as the high end stocks made from kevlar. The mid-priced synthetic stocks are heavier, sometimes MUCH heavier than wood. Having weight reduction is one of the primary reason to go synthetic. Paying $300 for a heavier stock just makes no sense to me when I can pay $500 and get a much better stock that is a 1 1/2 lbs to 2 lbs+ lighter than the $300 stock.
SS vs blue steel. Makes no difference to me. SS is a little easier to keep clean. Blue will develop some surface rust and the blue will wear thin in some areas from use. But if the weather causes either type to fail on you it is due to neglect. Not the type of steel.