Years ago I fell into custom synthetic and stainless rifles as “the way to go” and they shot great, now they occupy the back of the safe and all I seem to carry these days are walnut and blue steel. It just feels right.
I just thought it was me, but I understand exactly what you're saying. I was in the local gun store the other day and there just wasn't any wood stocks to speak of, and the one's that were there, well it was like they came from scrap wood from a construction site. Nothing like the old days, when just looking at the wood made you want that gun over another one. After watching your video I certainly felt your passion. Thanks for the walk down memory lane
Every scratch on a wood stock tells a story - I’m inherently more careful when using my wood stock rifles as opposed to my synthetic stock. I liken it to running an aluminum boat versus a fiberglass hull. Great video Tom.
Personally I find some fire arms to be art not a tool. With wood stocks you can put two rifles side by side same make same model . One of them will pull your eye more than the other. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder . Great show.
I will always prefer a wood stock because no two look just alike. That's to say every wood stock has its own distinct character that makes it truly unique.
You have some fine Winchesters! Wood vs. synthetic, ehh? Some types of synthetics are very good, but most are too flimsy that come on factory rifles. I love good wood, it absorbs vibration well, and looks good on a hunting rifle.
You make a great point. Even the worst wood stock is at least firm and easy to bed an action in. A budget tupperware stock, well.....they dont even make a good door stop.
I see the one thing that that I can agree right away it “absorbs vibrations well” it does something but it definitely slows down the vibration, whether it absorbs it or evenly spreads it I can’t call it but my fat cheeks noticed this immediately…wood pls
See this video reminds me of a few years back I found a Al Biesen Winchester in 270 and thought they were asking a little too much not realizing who he was, now I really wish I had bought it and yes it was a beautiful rifle! I had the same thing on an XTR 270 one of the first years they came out and my brother in law took it hunting in the rain and it warped too. Took it to a master gunsmith and he was able to repair the stock and then glass bedded it and it shot like new. Having hunted and reloaded almost 60 years you are correct about wood stocks being better because they were a living thing and most of the time no 2 wood stocks are exactly the same. Great video as always keep them coming!
I have a old rem 6mm mode 700 from the 60’s. My grandfather gave it to me and I shot my first buck with it when I was 13. It has a beautiful stock that has many scratches and dents from a lifetime of hunting. Now I’m 44 and gramps gone but i’ll keep hunting with it. I’m teaching my son to hunt now. It may be old but it’s very special. I love the old look and feel of the wood stocks compared to the composite.
Cause I just like wood. Maple or walnut. Whether it better I don't know. But it's pleasure to see a fine stock on a shotgun or rifle. But I'm old school ,I've got 270. 3 position lock. High grade. Winchester. With a nice wood stock. With a cheek piece. Carved. Into it. Really good gun. Never will get rid of it,, mines not a feather weight. But it doesn't kick bad neither. Because of the extra weight. It has the boss on it which is nice too.model 70,, bolt action. Pretty accurate. Within and inch groups at 200 yards.
Great video Tom, and totally agree that Wood stocks are so much better, they have character and function, you can just look at them every day and appreciate the quality and finish of a good timber stock, especially on a Winchester Model 70. Dunno if we got some different models out here in Australia, but I have a 1976 push feed XTR, nice timber with the ebony forend and capping with the white lines, shoots just as classy as it looks too.
Thank you for talking about WOOD stocks and blued steel...I was browsing RUclips the other day and all I could find was plastic guns with carbon fiber barrels..AND Yes I call all synthetic rifles PLASTIC...Plastic guns seem to be the rage right now and I don't see it changing...but Plastic rifles have no soul...they are a tool, much like my hammer. When I go hunting or shooting I much prefer my rifle to have a little soul..the nicks and dings put on the rifle by folks like your grandfather are what give the rifle soul...Thank you for this video
Wooden stocks do have their benefits. This is especially true in colder climates. Synthetic stocks, are actually fairly brittle in cold climates. This is especially true for synthetic stocks on more budgeted rifles. The same budget stocks don't like extreme heat either. In some rifles I've seen like the Savage Axis and Mossberg Patriot, when you fire long strings of shots consecutively their groups start to open up. The stock does shift. I will add that fiberglass and Kevlar Synthetic stocks hold up better. Like your Bell and Carlson, McMillans and HS. Precisions. The higher end brands of stocks have an aluminum bedding system of some sort. Wooden stocks seem to obsorb more recoil. Wooden stocks definitely have a warm feel to them. Where Synthetic stocks shine in my opinion is in humid environments. I like them both for different purposes.
Great video! I have a 1943 Kar98k that the original stock has been cut down and sporterized, action bedded, barrel free-floating, and rebarreled to 7x57. I love this beautiful rifle; it's a dream to shoot. But I honestly don't think I would have given it a second look if it would have had a synthetic stock. I found it at a gun show earlier this year. It also had a Leupold M8 6x scope on it, and I got it for 450 beans.
HOLY socks... That is one 'heck' of a warp!!! Reminded me of Browning's 'salt-drying' of their stocks. I'm a wood-crafter...I'm in total love of wood, whether it stays right, or makes my piece twist. The stuff is flat-out gorgeous.
Mickey Mouse I agree. Can't beat laminate wood stocks but they tend to be heavy so find a lightweight laminate. The advantage of wood over synthetics is there is no flex and whip. They are a solid base for a rifled action. Most modern wood stocks today have eliminated warping from moisture and they are CNC machined to the specific rifled action for a tight fit. Many are tight enough so there is no vibration and do not to need bedding.
Mickey your right Tom is one of those guys that you can’t help but like him😇 being retired and spend most of my time around guns over60+ years ago I started on the road to collecting rifles since my father was friend with some of the big time gun people in the 50’s and 60’s and I checked the other day and I am at somewhere around 2,500 guns that I have bought sold or gave away at one time or another and having owned both the wood and all the other try of stocks out their and your not too far off in stocks! Now days it’s not about getting the game for me it’s more about the time I spend with my 3 boys who love to hunt and just hoping they get something. I love a pretty wood stock even more now because I don’t have to go out in the rainy snowy weather but if I did then the other non wood stocks are the way to go as it is also with bench rest guns. It’s so nice to have so many choices today compared to the old days but wood will Alway have a place in my heart just like that pretty girl you couldn’t help but stare at because of her beauty !
Sure agree with you Tim. ALL of my rifles happen to have wood stocks. But two are special to me. One is just the original factory stock on my father’s Remington 721 in .270 win that dad gave me before he passed away. The other is a custom built .22-6mmAI that my best friend built me and another super friend Mike Kueffler up in Newkirk, OK built me. Both those are special stocks to me. I’ve a couple other custom built rifles, a .375H&H and .30-06 with neat super comfortable wood stocks. But ALL my rifles happen to be wooden sticks. They’re special to ME and I’m the one who enjoys them. Even my shotgun stocks are wood. Enjoyed your video and so glad you found special stocks for your guns.
I absolutely agree about the appeal of wood stocks. My 7x57 ( left to me by my father in law, a great man) is a 1930s Mauser action rebarrelled and sporterised. Wood stock. Love it. Use it for all of my deer shooting. But I travel to hunt in Europe and Africa. I take my Blaser. Accurate, composite, soulless. If a baggage handler breaks it I'll be ticked off but not heartbroken - and they'd have to work really hard to break that plastic. You are right - the wood is once a living thing, the plastic is not and so not special. Loving your videos by the way.
I currently own mostly older military surplus rifles which also are wood stocks and mostly blued but some parkerized steel. A few of the rustier modified rifles I’ve reconditioned and the derusting, re bluing, sanding and hand rubbed oil finishing is really enjoyable.
I'm the type that hasn't met a gun I don't like whether wood, synthetic, or Legos, but I'm a real sucker for a pretty piece of wood. Beautiful burl or nice figuring really catches my eye as artwork would to others. Good luck and God bless.
Wood is pretty, and quieter in the woods when branches rub on it, buuuuut in wet or extremely humid areas they have issues. Warpage is the big one and the second is always needing to check the mounting bolts.
Hi Tom enjoyed your video , I have purchased four new rifles this year and they all have wooden stocks I just love the look and feel of them !! Thanks keep them coming I’m subscribed to your channel for awhile now and enjoy your down to earth style
Yeah I love wood stocks, I personally like the weight of them, with heavier barrels, makes for less recoil, and they are a pleasure to look at. Great Show.
Good video, I agree with most of what you stated. I own several synthetic stock firearms. On the other hand, in the last few years I've started collecting wood stocked rifles(especially Winchesters) I believe they are under priced. I enjoy watching your videos. They are always entertaining and informative. However, I notice when most people post about Winchester bolts actions they seem to neglect to mention Winchester reintroduced the Control Round Feed in 1992. They've been around in the market place for 31 years. Your Cabelas Super Grade looks remarkably similar to my to French Walnut Super Grade. Moreover, the Featherweight and Compact Featherweight are both sold with Control Round Feed Actions today. It seems as though some Influencers today don't realize that Control Round Feeds manufactured today are readily available, and are stronger than actions manufactured prior to 1964, due to tighter tolerances and improved metallurgy. More than that, some pre-war models needed to have the safety switch changed or modified so the owner could mount a scope. That big paddle switch didn't allow for much clearance. Don't get me wrong, Pre-64s are wonderful rifles. I really enjoy the look of the stock, the cone in the receiver, and the metal butt plates. I don't care for the screw in the barrel connecting the stock or the non-free float. I would rather have a new one. I do miss the iron sights. That being said, I prefer old Colt Pythons (or old Colt Revolvers) to new ones any day of the week.
All other considerations aside: I'm one of those who think firearms should be as beautiful as they are functional. I have never seen a synthetic stock that I thought was "beautiful", even in the least degree. There's just something special about wood matched to metal - especially figured wood matched to blued gun metal.
I'm old school all the way. Wood stocks, blued steel etc. (no Cerakote ) Also I like the older cartridges. 6.5x55 Swede, 7x57 Mauser, 300 Savage, 32 Special, 8x57 Mauser as well as .308, 303 British and30-06.
So, what a great topic! I’m only buying wood stocks and they are vastly outnumbered in the marketplace. Sadly, the race to the bottom line there are casualties. They are quality, jobs and pride. Bring back real craftsmanship across the industry.
I recall reading in a few different articles on wood stocks that a stock maker can steam a walnut stock to enable a slight degree of reconfiguration. For example, with shotguns, the amount of cast off (or cast on for lefties) can be altered. I wonder if this might be a solution for your warped Win. Model 70 stock?
Have to agree I love a good wood stock. Many of the super grades come in Maple and while it's a handsome rifle, I wonder if there's a difference in the durability (more or less prone to warp, crack etc. They're pretty to look at, but I think I prefer the Walnut. Right now my only wood stocks are on my Henry Golden Boy and a 1950 Pre-64 1894 in 32 Winchester Special. You mentioned gunblue490---well he's the one that turned me on to that "underdog" "old school" caliber. happened to find one and it's just a beauty. most of my others are synthetic. One I like is a Stocky's M-50 full length aluminum bedded and heavy. Being heavy it's a bench target/varmint. But all the same I'd prefer wood.
@@cbsbass4142 yeah, silver is pretty weak. Sugar maple is as tough as burr oak. I am about to order a model 70 super grade, and just decided to get 30-06. this will be the first gun in 30 years.
@@wisconsinfarmer4742 My Closest Cabela's once had a Maple (blonde color) Super Grade in 7Mag in their Gun Library section about 2 years ago. It was beautiful. Of course, it was $1500 then and I couldn't afford it. Long gone now.
Wood stocks gives a gun a soul. I have my Grandpa's 30/06 Springfield. I take it hunting at least once a year on nice days. l still kinda get to hunt with Grandpa. It's the same wood he had in his hands when l was a kid hunting with him.
Sir you don’t ever have to be apologetic about something your passionate about. I am right there with you on the beautiful wood stocks. I’ve not had the misfortune of having one warp, at least not to the extent that it caused accuracy issues but if I did, I’d do exactly what you did. Great video and great rifles!
I bought a Model 70 feather Weight XTR in 1986 when I got out of the Army. It is a 7X57. Its the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. It shoots anything and everything Ive put through it with no problems. I shoot groups that are covered with a dime! Ive done that cositently over these years!
Darn it Tom you make a compelling argument. I'm looking at them Winchester beauties, and getting a streak of envy. I love my model 70, but I have to admit, as functional and comfortable as it's synthetic stock is, I absolutely love a chunk of walnut with some character. You might have convinced me to either go out and buy another, or see if I can find a stock to match. I do have another rifle that I need to replace the stock on, and was planning on getting a Boyd's laminate, but they also have some really nice Turkish walnut and maple. I may just splurge and get the prettier stock for that one. But that stock project of yours is looking good! Do you think you get it checkered?
Garth, I'm planning on doing the checkering myself this summer on the A3. I recut the checkering on the FN M98 stock and that checkering was so far gone that after that think I can actually handle doing the checkering from scratch? As for the laminate stocks, I really do like those and there a few of them out there that I always thought of as special but my big gripe with them is that once you get a deep scratch or deep enough mark in them it looks really bad sort of like plywood. And it's never coming out. But they are very stable and have a unique look and feel to them. And you mentioned something there that I keep wondering about and that's maple. I've never tried a maple stock but I've heard they were actually denser than walnut. But for me any well made wood stock is special and every stick of wood is unique. They are getting pricey these days but for me worth the extra? Good luck on whatever route you decide to go.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving you are right about maple. It doesn't have those open grains like walnut or oak, but it is softer. That may or may not be good thing. I guess I am not sure how wet weather would affect it? Dimensionally I think maple is more stable that a lot of hardwoods, but walnut if I am not mistaken is more like a mahogany or teak, and I think resist rot better. But that density might give a bit of weight which I would like for the rifle in question. That one is a 300 Win Mag and I wouldn't mind a bit more recoil mitigation. Of course, price point is certainly becoming a factor these days. I got some thinking to do.
Your in my bad books now Mr River I love wood, i'm a carpenter by Trade. Choice of wood (the slab that a stock is shaped into) is paramount as is the controlled seasoning of the slab. i have and and have had many fine wooden stocks, several i've made as you have by hand myself at great pain and at the expense of a lot of time - enjoyable but time consuming. As to synthetic stocks, yes they are new which says a lot as to why they are or are not appreciated. (Time will change this as it is with alloy chassis for the new generations) However living in a climate where the temperature the moisture and literally as we say can change in a day, my default working stocks are synthetic and also stainless steel sits nestled in them. My take it out from my temperature and moisture controlled safe on a sunny day to show of is "my shiny deep blued steel actions in a high grade wooden stock". This is a rare and cherished event . Kia Ora. love your stuff from New zealand. P.S Tell that Lake space invading varmit to "Bog Off".
I agree with you 110% Tom. I have compared many wood and synthetic stocked rifles of the same brand and caliber - the wooden versions (especially the real American Walnut ones) always appeal to me the most. Wood has inherent beauty and warmth, and is to be cherished and respected. Wood is just the perfect material to use - it offers natural comfort to us that is 'just right'. I've concluded only wooden stocked rifles work for me.
My wife has two classifications for my guns: Pretty and Ugly. There is not one "Pretty" gun that has a composite, camo or laminate stock...all walnut. We are at that stage of life where we have been trying to pare down some of our stuff. I recently parted with a 1980's Remington 870 Wingmaster with some beautiful dark walnut woodwork and rich bluing. My friend said the slide looked like a wet chocolate Hershey bar. I really appreciate your promoting GunBlue490. I have been a fan for years. He is a little old-school....but so am I. I cannot find one thing to criticize in his vast knowledge of all things firearms related.
I myself like the idea of a wood stock ,I do glassbed and float all my wooden stocks I make for myself and customers but you can't beat a beautiful figured piece of wood
Wood Stock make a Gun look pretty. pleasing to the eye, plus a wood stock is stiffer which makes a rifle kick less and in my opinion shoot bedder. if the barrel is free floated more accurate.
In 1974 after my first Dall sheep hunt I corresponded with Jack O'Connor several times after having his read his stuff as a kid for the decade before. His replies are cherished keepsakes. Depending on your own hunting conditions a wood stock rifle might suffice vs. a synthetic, from a technical perspective it'll never surpass it from a purely aesthetic angle it generally wins. But the harsher the weather and terrain and your means of access more rugged a wood stock takes second seat to synthetic for about the last 40 years. An inexpensive, injection molded "plastic" stock after a few days in coastal Alaska or hanging on the back of a pack sheep hunting will outperform the best wood stock. A hand laid up synthetic, blue printed stock to your action definitely scores first. Shooting a heavy magnum in very cold temps you will chance splitting a wood stock especially a well figured one even if stored outside but it won't happen very often if at all with a synthetic. And while the P64 M70 will NEVER be truly duplicated, no matter what Winchester may claim, the wood stocks on the last few years of their run P64s (62-63) were pretty crummy stocks. Big difference between an early PreFWT and a late PreFWT and I've owned quite a few of both. On a Catskill deer hunt I wouldn't hesitate to carry a Bissen stocked or G&H Springfield rifle but packing moose quarters on a packframe where you might need a rifle on hand for bears I'd opt for something a little more rugged. I have several Brown Precision stocked M70s, and all have picked up the inevitable dings and bings of a rifle used in tough hunting country, the memories are just the same as the honored marks on walnut. Incidentally, when US Repeating Arms reintroduced their M70FWT in the early 80s their marketing strategy was to offer some oddball calibers (7x57, 257 Roberts), put that weird fore end tip on the stock, along with the Fluer de Lis checkering, which was never standard on a factory P64 , either Standard or Featherweight. What they did very obviously, intentionally chose to ignore was to add CRF, Mauser type extraction, and was a big reason why it didn't sell like the hotcakes their salesmen intended.
I am 73 years old, I love the efficiency of my ARs. But for real deep deep love, I need blued steel and walnut. I have 4 custom rifles built on surplus military actions. One 1903 Springfield in 30-06 with a full length Manlicher style stock. One 1891 Mauser in 7.65 Argentine with a Manlicher style stock. And two 98 Mausers, one a switch barrel in 22-250/30-06 in a stock that the gunsmith carved out of an original military stock. When I first saw this rifle it was in a beautiful walnut stock, but he wanted more than I could afford, about $400 more than I eventually paid for the rifle in the modified military stock. This was the first rifle I bought in 1973 after getting married just the year before. The last custom rifle in my collection is another 98 Mauser in 30-06 with a full length stock and a European style butter knife bolt handle. I also have a post 64 Winchester model 70 XTR in 30-06, a Voere Stutzen in 270 Winchester with a full length stock and double set triggers and a Weatherby Vanguard in 25-06 in the factory wood stock and lastly I have a stainless steel Ruger model 77 in 30-06 in Ruger's synthetic boat paddle stock. Can anyone guess which one would be the first to go if I was forced to sell one?
I had a ruger American with a synthetic stock. Was way too light kicked like a mule. I hated that gun and traded it for a HOWA 1500 308. Stock is alot beefier. Absolutely love it. It's all about the brand
It's all about the use for the rifle. I would rather a light rifle that's got a bit more recoil if I'm packing it up the mountain and only going to shoot it once at a animal. It also depends on how the stock fits you the recoil will be worse if the stock doesn't fit right and slaps your cheek or shoulder harder
How do you recommend taking care of a new model 70 stock in French walnut? How often does it need any attention? Leaning against a wall harmful (don't have a gun cabinet yet, and am not interested in any safe. Thanks.
I love the look of a wood stock.Winchester has made some beautiful wood stocked rifles.The problem is when a person is in wet snowy conditions or heavy rain your chances of rust increase dramatically.I don't like the look of a fiberglass stocked rifle,but with a stainless action your chances of pitting or rust occurring is none at all. For dry conditions a wood stock is perfect, but not for wet conditions.Cold conditions can make a tight action jam,but not with the stainless actions.
Nice you can paw all over those guns that might never get used as collection guns. I have made my main loving as a hunting & fishing guide working in Alaska - Pacific NW and in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. My guns now are nearly all synthetic stocks so not to get chewed up and warp in the bath weather I must use the guns in. I have become so well at building AR 10 uppers in wildcat cartridges I am selling off most of my bolt rifles to make AR 10 uppers in the WSM cartridge.
I have to tip my hat to you sir! I know how much work hunting is by itself and on mostly flat ground. I can't imagine how much work guiding is and in remote rugid mountains like those. And the sights you must have seen and still see! And it makes sense you preferring synthetic stocks. Your rifles are tools of the trade. I guess at the end of the day wood stocks are a luxury? But they are a luxury I do enjoy. Now one thing I am surprised to hear about is you trading in your bolt guns for ARs. I haven't even thought of using short mags in an AR10 but that makes perfect sense but long term I would think the bolt guns would be more reliable for you just like the synthetic stocks?
Hello, I appreciate you. Thanks for putting this video out. It is good to look at the stories etched in the stock especially if the rifle was handed down to you to be handed down to yours. I have a question. Do you do restorations or creations for others?
I'm glad you enjoyed it Thomas. And no I don't do restoration work for others at least not now. I'm currently remodeling my new house and I'm hoping to have a shop by next year just to do more of this type of work. It's something I've really enjoyed.
I found a brand new FN built model 70 supergrade in 7mm rem mag. It had a gorgeous reddish hue to the feathercrotch stock that was a big part of my buying the rifle. But the grain angled through the stock and one day it warped worse than yours did. I sent it back to Winchester, commented about the angled grain and they restocked it. I was really looking forward to seeing what the new stock would be like, hopeing it would be pretty. When it came back, it was obvious the wood was dense, quality wood, but it had the straightest grain running straight through the stock, it looked like a laminate stock. And the color was a sort of dull, darker brown. It's aesthetics were very disappointing to me. I'm sure it was a stable, good shooting stock, but this was a supergrade rifle and it didn't even begin to have comparable looks to the original stock. It just ruined that rifle for me. I wish I could get another one on par with how that 7mm was originally. But I console myself with my model 70 supergrade in 30-06. It has a beautiful feathercrotch pattern in the butt, but straight grain running through the pistol grip to the fore end tip. And attractive coloration to boot. It is a very accurate and attractive rifle and so far every game animal taken with it has dropped in its tracks with one shot. It is the rifle I wanted my whole life and is my favorite of all, but that doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy a nice second one too!! 😉 I also found a special limited edition B78 in 30-06, built using the current 1885 action with the current trigger but sporting a 24 inch barrel. But it has an absolutely gorgeous rich brown stock with a gorgeous extensive feathercrotch figure on both sides of the butt. The stock was a very big factor in my buying it. The 24 inch barrel was a very nice addition, instead of a 26 or the standard 28 inch barrels usually on the 1885. It gave the rifle a very handy and compact size of 40 inches overall while still giving full ballistics of the 30-06 cartridge. The fore end flexed just enough though, that it affected accuracy a bit, but I relieved the barrel channel enough that it's full floating is maintained despite the flex and now it shoots accurately and consistent. It has taken all its game so far with 1shot also. It is my 3rd favorite rifle, but my first, second, and third favorites are so close and they will be with me to my dying day.
Hey Tom, I have a 30-06 Winchester model 70 Lightweight that I bought new but can't really remember when. Pretty sure it was mid to late 80's. Anyway, I just dropped it off at my gunsmith last Saturday to see if he can make a "shooter" out of it. It never grouped very well and even though had/has that that unmistakable quality of fitting me perfectly, had been relegated to the back of the closet for lack of accuracy. It wasn't horrible, probably 3" at 100yds , but I always had something that shot better. I know it has a bed and free-float in its future as well as a trigger job and a decent recoil pad ('06 kicked like a mule in that lightweight). It's funny that I found your video the week after I dropped it off! I will certainly let you know what magic the Smith is able to draw outta her. Hope it's worth the $$$!
On old rifles i like wood on new i like synthetic. Mostly now i use same long range rifle with synthetic. I am building a titanium action carbon fiber barrel carbon fiber stock In 308 for a ultra light weight mountain rifle it will be 6.2 pounds with scope
I wanted a bolt action rifle with a nice wood stock but when I felt my synthetic the way it felt in the my hand sold me. I may want a wood stock in the future and I may be able to swap it out in the future.
Love the looks of a beautiful wood stocked but gave up on them back in the 1980s. I do love laminate wood stocks and they are very stable. I probably would have put a Boyd stock, pillar bedded and free floated ending the problem?
Hello Tom,wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos. I have learned a great deal. I am a grandfather with 6 granddaughters 2 great granddaughters and 1 grandson. He just turned 5 and may be a hunter some day, but only 1 granddaughter, my 6 year old has shown any interest in guns. Weatherby Vanguard has produced a rifle for the ladies with a sloped down stock that slopes to the right and actually looks warped. Could your warped stock actually be intended for a female shooter? By the way, I bought one in 6.5 Creedmore designated for her when she grows up in case I am no longer around at that time. It is a beautiful rifle.
In my opinion, I have own a number of pre 64 model 70 rifles and their good rifles. But, the Ruger M77 mk2 is almost the same. The Ruger m77 mk2/Hawkeye has a lot things that are even better. Scope rings, trigger, number of chamberings. A lot of the guides in northern Canada and Alaska use Ruger m77 as their loaner rifle because they are so tuff.
James, I have to agree with you on the m77 being a great rifle and really close to the pre64 Winchester. And I think the MkII is why Winchester went back to the pre64 style action? I believe the MkII came out in 1989 and was a true control feed and then suddenly Winchester came out with the classic in the early 90's which was there first control feed action since 1963.
Hello Mr River, I like you love wood stocks. Recently when I bought my first precision centerfire rifle, I just knew it had to have a classic wood stock. Yes just as you I can see some advantages to synthetic stocks, I love my Bell Carlson stock on my Winchester, however for me wood is eye-candy, and I will always love wood more than synthetic any day of the week. But to be honest, I just love all quality firearms, and don’t see myself ever selling my synthetic stocked rifles. So did you say linseed oil is what I would want to use on my Featherweight Walnut Stock? If so, how often would you recommend to treat the stock with oil? What do you recommend for safe storage of rifles Tom? Do you use a safe with a desiccant, or a electric heating rod? What humidity do you recommend 35-45%? This might be an interesting video, “How to properly and safely store rifles to prevent wood swelling and prevent corrosion to barrels? Take care and God bless Tom. 😎👍
When you die ,the relatives won’t fight over your Tupperware! They will fight over your cast iron 😂 I think you’ll get the parallel🇺🇸. thanks so much for sharing your videos
I have some Remington 760s . The wood is nice I also have a 7600 that has the new finish it's still nice. I seen the synthetic stocked 7600 s just look junky. Planning to go to Tulsa, Ok on 4-2 & 3 for the Tulsa Gun Show lots of goodies there but be willing to pay the prices.
I appreciate Pre-64 Winchesters rifles however; the new models that are push feed are good ones too. The action is still the same except for the extractor system. The differences are the aluminum trigger guard for one. The stock on your Cabela’s model is a Classic stock shape. The FeatherLite is more Classic European style stock. I am not a fan of Mauser style claw extractors for the idea their better is debatable. That might be a point for a dangerous game rifle for some; just not for me. The things I like are the safety and the flat bottom action and recoil lug. Are Winchester rifles better than Remington? In some ways yes and in others no; both being American is what I like most. Mine are older and have wood stocks; wood is traditional and synthetics; not so much. If wood is not seasoned correctly it can move but; that is rare for the most part. However; someone with the knowledge can straight wood just as they can straighten steel. If you ever take the time to see how rifle and shotgun barrels are made. You will see what I am talking about. Shotgun stock makers once add castoff and drop using heat and moisture to better fit a shotgun stock to the shooter. The same as Fishing rod makers use heat to straighten Bamboo rods. Look at a bent wood rocker sometime or a recurve bow. 🙄🙂
Ed if I didn't reload and had to use factory ammo I would have went with a .243 instead of the .257 Robert's. Both are just great low recoiling cartridges ideal for a Featherweight.
I almost picked up a rifle recently very similar to your 257 Roberts. It was in 280 Rem with the same stock and CRF. Was in very good shape. My brother in law is the proud owner now thanks to my tip on it as he’s wanted a 280 for a while. Know much about that rifle or were some special ones made in the last 20 yrs in that caliber being CRF?
Is there something special to G10 material, or is it just a rebranding of something that already exists? I prefer my G10 grips on my SIG P229 pistol over my wood grips, but I don't know how that material would translate to a rifle stock. I know it's not as pretty as wood, but I love the feel of it (especially the checkering) and, like synthetic, it won't warp over time and allegedly you can work it similar to wood.
I think one of the greatest failures in modern gun manufacturing (even high end guns) is that the wood used isn't anything compared to the wood stocks of 60 or a 100 years ago. I still hunt an old 1928 Winchester Model 12 and that stock is bullet proof. On the other hand I've got a pile of nice new rifles that if you look at the wood it'll scratch. It may very well be a result of timber practices, us rushing production and the wood being younger and just not as stout. But whatever the case, the wood used now tends to be nothing compared to the older stocks and that's another benefit of the synthetics on modern guns.
A winchester model 12 is a shotgun i know that because I have 2 of them one is a 1957 build date and the other is a 1942 build date that was issued to the guard unit at the oak ridge national laboratory , I'm sure their could have been other firearms made by Winchester that came out the same year but when you say model 12 the shotgun is the one that is the most well known! That is because it was used in ww1, ww2, Korea and Vietnam wars!
@@mikebeddingfield2144, yes, I hunt with a 1928 Winchester Model 12 20ga nickel steel shotgun. The wood on that shotgun is a thousand times better than the wood on any of my modern rifles. It’s better wood than the high grade wood on most anything offered nowadays.
I have three new and thus FN Model 70s. All control feed. One of them is my 6.5 Creedmore Super Grade with a French walnut stock. They'll be burying me with that rifle. My synthetic Savage 243 shoots as good as any rifle I've ever fired. It's a tool.
The only problem I've seen personally with wood stocks were with 338 win mag. My brother's model 77 ruger cracked at the wrist and tore out the recoil lug. Steel bedded it abdcross bolted the forend. The newer model 70 Winchester left hand blew out the recoil lug after about 10 rounds. It got Steel bedded. Saw another almost identical ruger 77 in the pawn shop. Broken wrist repair and cracked forend. The McMillan stock on mine gives me noticeably less recoil impact to my cheek and shoulder and is actually on par with my solid butt plate pre 64 in 30-06. Love the walnut, love the stocks CZ puts on their rifles. Both definitely have their place. Nothing is more hideous than a lever action rifle with a synthetic stock, rails and a suppressor. Have you ever seen a wood stock ar? Also hideous. The last few Winchester factories did a terrible job bedding their actions.
The action screw on the ruger m77s should be tourqed to 90 pounds and the wood stocks don't last long. I had a ruger guide gun 338 win mag and a m77 tang safety that both cracked stocks at the same areas you mentioned
Im a synthetic and ceramic cerakote guy. I like to hunt and not be worried bout weather or scratches in the brush. I just focus on hunting now. Not distracted by the fear of hurting my thousands of dollars rifle
Nothing like a beautiful wood stock in a fine rifle.
Years ago I fell into custom synthetic and stainless rifles as “the way to go” and they shot great, now they occupy the back of the safe and all I seem to carry these days are walnut and blue steel. It just feels right.
Dude same! I wish they made a wood glock!...😁
You forgot to mention how much better a wood stocked rifle feels in the hands. Also its quiter in the bush.
Yeah boy!
Mr. Rogers with weapons. Keep up the good work!
I just thought it was me, but I understand exactly what you're saying. I was in the local gun store the other day and there just wasn't any wood stocks to speak of, and the one's that were there, well it was like they came from scrap wood from a construction site. Nothing like the old days, when just looking at the wood made you want that gun over another one. After watching your video I certainly felt your passion. Thanks for the walk down memory lane
Every scratch on a wood stock tells a story - I’m inherently more careful when using my wood stock rifles as opposed to my synthetic stock. I liken it to running an aluminum boat versus a fiberglass hull. Great video Tom.
Thanks and great user name! I love that.
So is the alum. The plastic stock?
Your videos and gunblue490 makes my day. Always be waiting on yours videos 👍🏼
Glad to see your doing firearms stuff again Tom! That’s my favorite topic you cover! Really enjoy your channel! Thank you 🙏🏻
Well Tom woods is beautiful no matter what it is what it is....
Personally I find some fire arms to be art not a tool. With wood stocks you can put two rifles side by side same make same model . One of them will pull your eye more than the other. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder . Great show.
I will always prefer a wood stock because no two look just alike. That's to say every wood stock has its own distinct character that makes it truly unique.
You have some fine Winchesters! Wood vs. synthetic, ehh? Some types of synthetics are very good, but most are too flimsy that come on factory rifles. I love good wood, it absorbs vibration well, and looks good on a hunting rifle.
You make a great point. Even the worst wood stock is at least firm and easy to bed an action in. A budget tupperware stock, well.....they dont even make a good door stop.
I see the one thing that that I can agree right away it “absorbs vibrations well” it does something but it definitely slows down the vibration, whether it absorbs it or evenly spreads it I can’t call it but my fat cheeks noticed this immediately…wood pls
No matter what the feel of a wood stock in your hands is special.
See this video reminds me of a few years back I found a Al Biesen Winchester in 270 and thought they were asking a little too much not realizing who he was, now I really wish I had bought it and yes it was a beautiful rifle! I had the same thing on an XTR 270 one of the first years they came out and my brother in law took it hunting in the rain and it warped too. Took it to a master gunsmith and he was able to repair the stock and then glass bedded it and it shot like new. Having hunted and reloaded almost 60 years you are correct about wood stocks being better because they were a living thing and most of the time no 2 wood stocks are exactly the same. Great video as always keep them coming!
Thanks Edward. I'm hoping this stock has settled down now and if has I'll touch up the bedding and it should be good but I'm going to wait and see?
Thoroughly enjoyed the video. Great presentation and topic. Thanks for coming back to your original viewer base.
I have a old rem 6mm mode 700 from the 60’s. My grandfather gave it to me and I shot my first buck with it when I was 13. It has a beautiful stock that has many scratches and dents from a lifetime of hunting. Now I’m 44 and gramps gone but i’ll keep hunting with it. I’m teaching my son to hunt now. It may be old but it’s very special. I love the old look and feel of the wood stocks compared to the composite.
Cause I just like wood. Maple or walnut. Whether it better I don't know. But it's pleasure to see a fine stock on a shotgun or rifle. But I'm old school ,I've got 270. 3 position lock. High grade. Winchester. With a nice wood stock. With a cheek piece. Carved. Into it. Really good gun. Never will get rid of it,, mines not a feather weight. But it doesn't kick bad neither. Because of the extra weight. It has the boss on it which is nice too.model 70,, bolt action. Pretty accurate. Within and inch groups at 200 yards.
Great video Tom, and totally agree that Wood stocks are so much better, they have character and function, you can just look at them every day and appreciate the quality and finish of a good timber stock, especially on a Winchester Model 70.
Dunno if we got some different models out here in Australia, but I have a 1976 push feed XTR, nice timber with the ebony forend and capping with the white lines, shoots just as classy as it looks too.
Thank you for talking about WOOD stocks and blued steel...I was browsing RUclips the other day and all I could find was plastic guns with carbon fiber barrels..AND Yes I call all synthetic rifles PLASTIC...Plastic guns seem to be the rage right now and I don't see it changing...but Plastic rifles have no soul...they are a tool, much like my hammer. When I go hunting or shooting I much prefer my rifle to have a little soul..the nicks and dings put on the rifle by folks like your grandfather are what give the rifle soul...Thank you for this video
Absolutely my friend.
Another good video Tom . I to love wood . And yes it’s good to laugh at ourselves. Keep them coming. Good luck fishing .
Wooden stocks do have their benefits. This is especially true in colder climates. Synthetic stocks, are actually fairly brittle in cold climates. This is especially true for synthetic stocks on more budgeted rifles. The same budget stocks don't like extreme heat either. In some rifles I've seen like the Savage Axis and Mossberg Patriot, when you fire long strings of shots consecutively their groups start to open up. The stock does shift. I will add that fiberglass and Kevlar Synthetic stocks hold up better. Like your Bell and Carlson, McMillans and HS. Precisions. The higher end brands of stocks have an aluminum bedding system of some sort. Wooden stocks seem to obsorb more recoil. Wooden stocks definitely have a warm feel to them. Where Synthetic stocks shine in my opinion is in humid environments. I like them both for different purposes.
Great video! I have a 1943 Kar98k that the original stock has been cut down and sporterized, action bedded, barrel free-floating, and rebarreled to 7x57. I love this beautiful rifle; it's a dream to shoot. But I honestly don't think I would have given it a second look if it would have had a synthetic stock. I found it at a gun show earlier this year. It also had a Leupold M8 6x scope on it, and I got it for 450 beans.
HOLY socks... That is one 'heck' of a warp!!! Reminded me of Browning's 'salt-drying' of their stocks. I'm a wood-crafter...I'm in total love of wood, whether it stays right, or makes my piece twist. The stuff is flat-out gorgeous.
Tom, you are a very nice person, and I love wood as much as high-quality synthetics! But the laminate is UNsurpassed! 😃👍
Mickey Mouse I agree. Can't beat laminate wood stocks but they tend to be heavy so find a lightweight laminate. The advantage of wood over synthetics is there is no flex and whip. They are a solid base for a rifled action. Most modern wood stocks today have eliminated warping from moisture and they are CNC machined to the specific rifled action for a tight fit. Many are tight enough so there is no vibration and do not to need bedding.
Love laminated stock on my 300wsm and accurate as hell!
Good video
Mickey your right Tom is one of those guys that you can’t help but like him😇 being retired and spend most of my time around guns over60+ years ago I started on the road to collecting rifles since my father was friend with some of the big time gun people in the 50’s and 60’s and I checked the other day and I am at somewhere around 2,500 guns that I have bought sold or gave away at one time or another and having owned both the wood and all the other try of stocks out their and your not too far off in stocks! Now days it’s not about getting the game for me it’s more about the time I spend with my 3 boys who love to hunt and just hoping they get something. I love a pretty wood stock even more now because I don’t have to go out in the rainy snowy weather but if I did then the other non wood stocks are the way to go as it is also with bench rest guns. It’s so nice to have so many choices today compared to the old days but wood will Alway have a place in my heart just like that pretty girl you couldn’t help but stare at because of her beauty !
Sure agree with you Tim. ALL of my rifles happen to have wood stocks. But two are special to me. One is just the original factory stock on my father’s Remington 721 in .270 win that dad gave me before he passed away. The other is a custom built .22-6mmAI that my best friend built me and another super friend Mike Kueffler up in Newkirk, OK built me. Both those are special stocks to me. I’ve a couple other custom built rifles, a .375H&H and .30-06 with neat super comfortable wood stocks. But ALL my rifles happen to be wooden sticks. They’re special to ME and I’m the one who enjoys them. Even my shotgun stocks are wood. Enjoyed your video and so glad you found special stocks for your guns.
I’ve got a model 70 that says Light Weight on the barrel . I never knew why but after your video I know . Thanks for info and your good videos.
I absolutely agree about the appeal of wood stocks. My 7x57 ( left to me by my father in law, a great man) is a 1930s Mauser action rebarrelled and sporterised. Wood stock. Love it. Use it for all of my deer shooting. But I travel to hunt in Europe and Africa. I take my Blaser. Accurate, composite, soulless. If a baggage handler breaks it I'll be ticked off but not heartbroken - and they'd have to work really hard to break that plastic. You are right - the wood is once a living thing, the plastic is not and so not special. Loving your videos by the way.
I really like your featherweight! An American Classic all the way around for sure!
Been looking forward to getting back to the gun videos! I'm not a fisherman 😉😁
I currently own mostly older military surplus rifles which also are wood stocks and mostly blued but some parkerized steel. A few of the rustier modified rifles I’ve reconditioned and the derusting, re bluing, sanding and hand rubbed oil finishing is really enjoyable.
TR, you're becoming my favorite channel!
I'm the type that hasn't met a gun I don't like whether wood, synthetic, or Legos, but I'm a real sucker for a pretty piece of wood. Beautiful burl or nice figuring really catches my eye as artwork would to others. Good luck and God bless.
Wood is pretty, and quieter in the woods when branches rub on it, buuuuut in wet or extremely humid areas they have issues. Warpage is the big one and the second is always needing to check the mounting bolts.
Great job, Tom. Thanks for making this video.
Hi Tom enjoyed your video , I have purchased four new rifles this year and they all have wooden stocks I just love the look and feel of them !!
Thanks keep them coming I’m subscribed to your channel for awhile now and enjoy your down to earth style
Yeah I love wood stocks, I personally like the weight of them, with heavier barrels, makes for less recoil, and they are a pleasure to look at. Great Show.
That’s why you should seal a wood stock with something that keeps the wood from being affected by moisture in the air or no moisture in the air.
It is fine from the factory. Don't mess with the wood. than it starts warping. let it breathe.
Good video, I agree with most of what you stated. I own several synthetic stock firearms. On the other hand, in the last few years I've started collecting wood stocked rifles(especially Winchesters) I believe they are under priced.
I enjoy watching your videos. They are always entertaining and informative.
However, I notice when most people post about Winchester bolts actions they seem to neglect to mention Winchester reintroduced the Control Round Feed in 1992. They've been around in the market place for 31 years.
Your Cabelas Super Grade looks remarkably similar to my to French Walnut Super Grade. Moreover, the Featherweight and Compact Featherweight are both sold with Control Round Feed Actions today. It seems as though some Influencers today don't realize that Control Round Feeds manufactured today are readily available, and are stronger than actions manufactured prior to 1964, due to tighter tolerances and improved metallurgy. More than that, some pre-war models needed to have the safety switch changed or modified so the owner could mount a scope. That big paddle switch didn't allow for much clearance. Don't get me wrong, Pre-64s are wonderful rifles. I really enjoy the look of the stock, the cone in the receiver, and the metal butt plates. I don't care for the screw in the barrel connecting the stock or the non-free float. I would rather have a new one. I do miss the iron sights.
That being said, I prefer old Colt Pythons (or old Colt Revolvers) to new ones any day of the week.
All other considerations aside: I'm one of those who think firearms should be as beautiful as they are functional. I have never seen a synthetic stock that I thought was "beautiful", even in the least degree. There's just something special about wood matched to metal - especially figured wood matched to blued gun metal.
Tom I love the hunting rifle videos....I also love pre64 Winchesters..I have 3 of them and they hunt every year.
I'm old school all the way. Wood stocks, blued steel etc. (no Cerakote ) Also I like the older cartridges. 6.5x55 Swede, 7x57 Mauser, 300 Savage, 32 Special, 8x57 Mauser as well as .308, 303 British and30-06.
And 243
@@DeerHunter308 For some reason I never took to the 243 or the 270.........................or the 6.5 Creedmoor
It's called character. Thanks Tom.
So, what a great topic! I’m only buying wood stocks and they are vastly outnumbered in the marketplace. Sadly, the race to the bottom line there are casualties. They are quality, jobs and pride. Bring back real craftsmanship across the industry.
looks like my Model 70 was made in 1952, great info thanks
I recall reading in a few different articles on wood stocks that a stock maker can steam a walnut stock to enable a slight degree of reconfiguration. For example, with shotguns, the amount of cast off (or cast on for lefties) can be altered. I wonder if this might be a solution for your warped Win. Model 70 stock?
Another nice video. I've had a few composite stocks but at one time I had 89 Browning rifles, all with gorgeous wood stocks.
You have much interest in the Remington 760 or 7600?
I am a fan of the 760 in 30-06.
You remind me if men in my past I highly respected regarding guns thanks for chatting
Nicest rifle I’ve ever shouldered is my fathers Steyr mannlicher stutzen (full length Bavarian walnut stock)
Jack, I have never fired a sporting rifle with a full length stock, but I do hope to try one one day!
Have to agree I love a good wood stock. Many of the super grades come in Maple and while it's a handsome rifle, I wonder if there's a difference in the durability (more or less prone to warp, crack etc. They're pretty to look at, but I think I prefer the Walnut. Right now my only wood stocks are on my Henry Golden Boy and a 1950 Pre-64 1894 in 32 Winchester Special. You mentioned gunblue490---well he's the one that turned me on to that "underdog" "old school" caliber. happened to find one and it's just a beauty. most of my others are synthetic. One I like is a Stocky's M-50 full length aluminum bedded and heavy. Being heavy it's a bench target/varmint. But all the same I'd prefer wood.
sugar maple is a much tougher wood than walnut. On our log drays the sugar maple runners lasted longer than anything.
@@wisconsinfarmer4742 A few maples on our street are horrible, but they aren't sugar maples. They drop limbs by the ton. Silver Maples I think.
@@cbsbass4142 yeah, silver is pretty weak. Sugar maple is as tough as burr oak. I am about to order a model 70 super grade, and just decided to get 30-06. this will be the first gun in 30 years.
@@wisconsinfarmer4742 My Closest Cabela's once had a Maple (blonde color) Super Grade in 7Mag in their Gun Library section about 2 years ago. It was beautiful. Of course, it was $1500 then and I couldn't afford it. Long gone now.
Wood stocks gives a gun a soul. I have my Grandpa's 30/06 Springfield. I take it hunting at least once a year on nice days. l still kinda get to hunt with Grandpa. It's the same wood he had in his hands when l was a kid hunting with him.
Sir you don’t ever have to be apologetic about something your passionate about. I am right there with you on the beautiful wood stocks. I’ve not had the misfortune of having one warp, at least not to the extent that it caused accuracy issues but if I did, I’d do exactly what you did. Great video and great rifles!
I'm a bid wood stock fan period and just like them better period regardless of which is "better"
I bought a Model 70 feather Weight XTR in 1986 when I got out of the Army. It is a 7X57. Its the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. It shoots anything and everything Ive put through it with no problems. I shoot groups that are covered with a dime! Ive done that cositently over these years!
Now that's a nice rifle!
Darn it Tom you make a compelling argument. I'm looking at them Winchester beauties, and getting a streak of envy. I love my model 70, but I have to admit, as functional and comfortable as it's synthetic stock is, I absolutely love a chunk of walnut with some character. You might have convinced me to either go out and buy another, or see if I can find a stock to match. I do have another rifle that I need to replace the stock on, and was planning on getting a Boyd's laminate, but they also have some really nice Turkish walnut and maple. I may just splurge and get the prettier stock for that one. But that stock project of yours is looking good! Do you think you get it checkered?
Garth, I'm planning on doing the checkering myself this summer on the A3. I recut the checkering on the FN M98 stock and that checkering was so far gone that after that think I can actually handle doing the checkering from scratch?
As for the laminate stocks, I really do like those and there a few of them out there that I always thought of as special but my big gripe with them is that once you get a deep scratch or deep enough mark in them it looks really bad sort of like plywood. And it's never coming out. But they are very stable and have a unique look and feel to them.
And you mentioned something there that I keep wondering about and that's maple. I've never tried a maple stock but I've heard they were actually denser than walnut. But for me any well made wood stock is special and every stick of wood is unique. They are getting pricey these days but for me worth the extra? Good luck on whatever route you decide to go.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving you are right about maple. It doesn't have those open grains like walnut or oak, but it is softer. That may or may not be good thing. I guess I am not sure how wet weather would affect it? Dimensionally I think maple is more stable that a lot of hardwoods, but walnut if I am not mistaken is more like a mahogany or teak, and I think resist rot better. But that density might give a bit of weight which I would like for the rifle in question. That one is a 300 Win Mag and I wouldn't mind a bit more recoil mitigation. Of course, price point is certainly becoming a factor these days. I got some thinking to do.
Your in my bad books now Mr River
I love wood, i'm a carpenter by Trade.
Choice of wood (the slab that a stock is shaped into) is paramount as is the controlled seasoning of the slab.
i have and and have had many fine wooden stocks, several i've made as you have by hand myself at great pain and at the expense of a lot of time - enjoyable but time consuming.
As to synthetic stocks, yes they are new which says a lot as to why they are or are not appreciated. (Time will change this as it is with alloy chassis for the new generations)
However living in a climate where the temperature the moisture and literally as we say can change in a day, my default working stocks are synthetic and also stainless steel sits nestled in them.
My take it out from my temperature and moisture controlled safe on a sunny day to show of is "my shiny deep blued steel actions in a high grade wooden stock".
This is a rare and cherished event .
Kia Ora.
love your stuff from New zealand.
P.S Tell that Lake space invading varmit to "Bog Off".
I agree with you 110% Tom. I have compared many wood and synthetic stocked rifles of the same brand and caliber - the wooden versions (especially the real American Walnut ones) always appeal to me the most. Wood has inherent beauty and warmth, and is to be cherished and respected. Wood is just the perfect material to use - it offers natural comfort to us that is 'just right'. I've concluded only wooden stocked rifles work for me.
Far from the perfect material. Its like steel framed semi auto pistols . Just extra weight .
Tom what load does the .257 like? I have the same rifle and the only load it likes is 80 grain Barnes. Everything else is horrible! Thanks
I dont think I can ever recall anyone accusing a synthetic stock of being GORGEOUS! The same can't be said about wood stocks.
My wife has two classifications for my guns: Pretty and Ugly. There is not one "Pretty" gun that has a composite, camo or laminate stock...all walnut. We are at that stage of life where we have been trying to pare down some of our stuff. I recently parted with a 1980's Remington 870 Wingmaster with some beautiful dark walnut woodwork and rich bluing. My friend said the slide looked like a wet chocolate Hershey bar. I really appreciate your promoting GunBlue490. I have been a fan for years. He is a little old-school....but so am I. I cannot find one thing to criticize in his vast knowledge of all things firearms related.
I myself like the idea of a wood stock ,I do glassbed and float all my wooden stocks I make for myself and customers but you can't beat a beautiful figured piece of wood
Wood Stock make a Gun look pretty. pleasing to the eye, plus a wood stock is stiffer which makes a rifle kick less and in my opinion shoot bedder. if the barrel is free floated more accurate.
In 1974 after my first Dall sheep hunt I corresponded with Jack O'Connor several times after having his read his stuff as a kid for the decade before. His replies are cherished keepsakes. Depending on your own hunting conditions a wood stock rifle might suffice vs. a synthetic, from a technical perspective it'll never surpass it from a purely aesthetic angle it generally wins. But the harsher the weather and terrain and your means of access more rugged a wood stock takes second seat to synthetic for about the last 40 years. An inexpensive, injection molded "plastic" stock after a few days in coastal Alaska or hanging on the back of a pack sheep hunting will outperform the best wood stock. A hand laid up synthetic, blue printed stock to your action definitely scores first. Shooting a heavy magnum in very cold temps you will chance splitting a wood stock especially a well figured one even if stored outside but it won't happen very often if at all with a synthetic. And while the P64 M70 will NEVER be truly duplicated, no matter what Winchester may claim, the wood stocks on the last few years of their run P64s (62-63) were pretty crummy stocks. Big difference between an early PreFWT and a late PreFWT and I've owned quite a few of both. On a Catskill deer hunt I wouldn't hesitate to carry a Bissen stocked or G&H Springfield rifle but packing moose quarters on a packframe where you might need a rifle on hand for bears I'd opt for something a little more rugged. I have several Brown Precision stocked M70s, and all have picked up the inevitable dings and bings of a rifle used in tough hunting country, the memories are just the same as the honored marks on walnut. Incidentally, when US Repeating Arms reintroduced their M70FWT in the early 80s their marketing strategy was to offer some oddball calibers (7x57, 257 Roberts), put that weird fore end tip on the stock, along with the Fluer de Lis checkering, which was never standard on a factory P64 , either Standard or Featherweight. What they did very obviously, intentionally chose to ignore was to add CRF, Mauser type extraction, and was a big reason why it didn't sell like the hotcakes their salesmen intended.
I am 73 years old, I love the efficiency of my ARs. But for real deep deep love, I need blued steel and walnut. I have 4 custom rifles built on surplus military actions. One 1903 Springfield in 30-06 with a full length Manlicher style stock. One 1891 Mauser in 7.65 Argentine with a Manlicher style stock. And two 98 Mausers, one a switch barrel in 22-250/30-06 in a stock that the gunsmith carved out of an original military stock. When I first saw this rifle it was in a beautiful walnut stock, but he wanted more than I could afford, about $400 more than I eventually paid for the rifle in the modified military stock. This was the first rifle I bought in 1973 after getting married just the year before. The last custom rifle in my collection is another 98 Mauser in 30-06 with a full length stock and a European style butter knife bolt handle. I also have a post 64 Winchester model 70 XTR in 30-06, a Voere Stutzen in 270 Winchester with a full length stock and double set triggers and a Weatherby Vanguard in 25-06 in the factory wood stock and lastly I have a stainless steel Ruger model 77 in 30-06 in Ruger's synthetic boat paddle stock. Can anyone guess which one would be the first to go if I was forced to sell one?
I had a ruger American with a synthetic stock. Was way too light kicked like a mule. I hated that gun and traded it for a HOWA 1500 308. Stock is alot beefier. Absolutely love it. It's all about the brand
It's all about the use for the rifle. I would rather a light rifle that's got a bit more recoil if I'm packing it up the mountain and only going to shoot it once at a animal. It also depends on how the stock fits you the recoil will be worse if the stock doesn't fit right and slaps your cheek or shoulder harder
How do you recommend taking care of a new model 70 stock in French walnut?
How often does it need any attention?
Leaning against a wall harmful (don't have a gun cabinet yet, and am not interested in any safe.
Thanks.
I love the look of a wood stock.Winchester has made some beautiful wood stocked rifles.The problem is when a person is in wet snowy conditions or heavy rain your chances of rust increase dramatically.I don't like the look of a fiberglass stocked rifle,but with a stainless action your chances of pitting or rust occurring is none at all.
For dry conditions a wood stock is perfect, but not for wet conditions.Cold conditions can make a tight action jam,but not with the stainless actions.
Nice you can paw all over those guns that might never get used as collection guns.
I have made my main loving as a hunting & fishing guide working in Alaska - Pacific NW and in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania.
My guns now are nearly all synthetic stocks so not to get chewed up and warp in the bath weather I must use the guns in.
I have become so well at building AR 10 uppers in wildcat cartridges I am selling off most of my bolt rifles to make AR 10 uppers in the WSM cartridge.
I have to tip my hat to you sir! I know how much work hunting is by itself and on mostly flat ground. I can't imagine how much work guiding is and in remote rugid mountains like those. And the sights you must have seen and still see! And it makes sense you preferring synthetic stocks. Your rifles are tools of the trade. I guess at the end of the day wood stocks are a luxury? But they are a luxury I do enjoy. Now one thing I am surprised to hear about is you trading in your bolt guns for ARs. I haven't even thought of using short mags in an AR10 but that makes perfect sense but long term I would think the bolt guns would be more reliable for you just like the synthetic stocks?
i was thinkin what caliber would be best to fix you boat motor! LOL
Hey Tom great video. I wanted to ask if you ever solved the barrel problem you had with your 270.
Hello, I appreciate you. Thanks for putting this video out. It is good to look at the stories etched in the stock especially if the rifle was handed down to you to be handed down to yours. I have a question. Do you do restorations or creations for others?
I'm glad you enjoyed it Thomas. And no I don't do restoration work for others at least not now. I'm currently remodeling my new house and I'm hoping to have a shop by next year just to do more of this type of work. It's something I've really enjoyed.
I found a brand new FN built model 70 supergrade in 7mm rem mag. It had a gorgeous reddish hue to the feathercrotch stock that was a big part of my buying the rifle. But the grain angled through the stock and one day it warped worse than yours did. I sent it back to Winchester, commented about the angled grain and they restocked it. I was really looking forward to seeing what the new stock would be like, hopeing it would be pretty. When it came back, it was obvious the wood was dense, quality wood, but it had the straightest grain running straight through the stock, it looked like a laminate stock. And the color was a sort of dull, darker brown. It's aesthetics were very disappointing to me. I'm sure it was a stable, good shooting stock, but this was a supergrade rifle and it didn't even begin to have comparable looks to the original stock. It just ruined that rifle for me. I wish I could get another one on par with how that 7mm was originally. But I console myself with my model 70 supergrade in 30-06. It has a beautiful feathercrotch pattern in the butt, but straight grain running through the pistol grip to the fore end tip. And attractive coloration to boot. It is a very accurate and attractive rifle and so far every game animal taken with it has dropped in its tracks with one shot. It is the rifle I wanted my whole life and is my favorite of all, but that doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy a nice second one too!! 😉 I also found a special limited edition B78 in 30-06, built using the current 1885 action with the current trigger but sporting a 24 inch barrel. But it has an absolutely gorgeous rich brown stock with a gorgeous extensive feathercrotch figure on both sides of the butt. The stock was a very big factor in my buying it. The 24 inch barrel was a very nice addition, instead of a 26 or the standard 28 inch barrels usually on the 1885. It gave the rifle a very handy and compact size of 40 inches overall while still giving full ballistics of the 30-06 cartridge. The fore end flexed just enough though, that it affected accuracy a bit, but I relieved the barrel channel enough that it's full floating is maintained despite the flex and now it shoots accurately and consistent. It has taken all its game so far with 1shot also. It is my 3rd favorite rifle, but my first, second, and third favorites are so close and they will be with me to my dying day.
I just ordered a new brown Winchester factory laminate stock from eBay for $60
Fits 2002 SA model and up
Sweet deal.
Hey Tom,
I have a 30-06 Winchester model 70 Lightweight that I bought new but can't really remember when. Pretty sure it was mid to late 80's. Anyway, I just dropped it off at my gunsmith last Saturday to see if he can make a "shooter" out of it. It never grouped very well and even though had/has that that unmistakable quality of fitting me perfectly, had been relegated to the back of the closet for lack of accuracy. It wasn't horrible, probably 3" at 100yds , but I always had something that shot better. I know it has a bed and free-float in its future as well as a trigger job and a decent recoil pad ('06 kicked like a mule in that lightweight). It's funny that I found your video the week after I dropped it off! I will certainly let you know what magic the Smith is able to draw outta her. Hope it's worth the $$$!
That sounds like a nice rifle Alex! And I'm guessing it's going to end up being a real shooter? Most of the Winchesters from that time were.
On old rifles i like wood on new i like synthetic. Mostly now i use same long range rifle with synthetic. I am building a titanium action carbon fiber barrel carbon fiber stock In 308 for a ultra light weight mountain rifle it will be 6.2 pounds with scope
The only plastic stock that I can think would make a difference is the M77 boat paddle, but I think that’s the exception to the rule kinda thing.
I wanted a bolt action rifle with a nice wood stock but when I felt my synthetic the way it felt in the my hand sold me. I may want a wood stock in the future and I may be able to swap it out in the future.
Love the looks of a beautiful wood stocked but gave up on them back in the 1980s. I do love laminate wood stocks and they are very stable. I probably would have put a Boyd stock, pillar bedded and free floated ending the problem?
How do you feel about the browning a-bolt rifle? It is my favorite, and I love it in 30-06.
Hello Tom,wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos. I have learned a great deal. I am a grandfather with 6 granddaughters 2 great granddaughters and 1 grandson. He just turned 5 and may be a hunter some day, but only 1 granddaughter, my 6 year old has shown any interest in guns. Weatherby Vanguard has produced a rifle for the ladies with a sloped down stock that slopes to the right and actually looks warped. Could your warped stock actually be intended for a female shooter? By the way, I bought one in 6.5 Creedmore designated for her when she grows up in case I am no longer around at that time. It is a beautiful rifle.
In my opinion, I have own a number of pre 64 model 70 rifles and their good rifles. But, the Ruger M77 mk2 is almost the same. The Ruger m77 mk2/Hawkeye has a lot things that are even better. Scope rings, trigger, number of chamberings. A lot of the guides in northern Canada and Alaska use Ruger m77 as their loaner rifle because they are so tuff.
James, I have to agree with you on the m77 being a great rifle and really close to the pre64 Winchester. And I think the MkII is why Winchester went back to the pre64 style action? I believe the MkII came out in 1989 and was a true control feed and then suddenly Winchester came out with the classic in the early 90's which was there first control feed action since 1963.
Hello Mr River, I like you love wood stocks. Recently when I bought my first precision centerfire rifle, I just knew it had to have a classic wood stock. Yes just as you I can see some advantages to synthetic stocks, I love my Bell Carlson stock on my Winchester, however for me wood is eye-candy, and I will always love wood more than synthetic any day of the week. But to be honest, I just love all quality firearms, and don’t see myself ever selling my synthetic stocked rifles. So did you say linseed oil is what I would want to use on my Featherweight Walnut Stock? If so, how often would you recommend to treat the stock with oil? What do you recommend for safe storage of rifles Tom? Do you use a safe with a desiccant, or a electric heating rod? What humidity do you recommend 35-45%? This might be an interesting video, “How to properly and safely store rifles to prevent wood swelling and prevent corrosion to barrels?
Take care and God bless Tom. 😎👍
I have a 1995 model 70 featherweight. It has the claw extraction and the schnabel forend. Its bedded and lapped. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
95 was a good year for Winchesters. That's when they were calling them the "Classic" and every classic I've ever shot was a tack driver!
When you die ,the relatives won’t fight over your Tupperware! They will fight over your cast iron 😂 I think you’ll get the parallel🇺🇸. thanks so much for sharing your videos
Lmao that right cast iron skillet the best
I have some Remington 760s . The wood is nice I also have a 7600 that has the new finish it's still nice. I seen the synthetic stocked 7600 s just look junky. Planning to go to Tulsa, Ok on 4-2 & 3 for the Tulsa Gun Show lots of goodies there but be willing to pay the prices.
🇦🇺😎👍Interesting content Tom
Are you my doppelgänger. I totally agree with everything you said. That’s kind of spooky
I appreciate Pre-64 Winchesters rifles however; the new models that are push feed are good ones too. The action is still the same except for the extractor system. The differences are the aluminum trigger guard for one. The stock on your Cabela’s model is a Classic stock shape. The FeatherLite is more Classic European style stock. I am not a fan of Mauser style claw extractors for the idea their better is debatable. That might be a point for a dangerous game rifle for some; just not for me. The things I like are the safety and the flat bottom action and recoil lug. Are Winchester rifles better than Remington? In some ways yes and in others no; both being American is what I like most. Mine are older and have wood stocks; wood is traditional and synthetics; not so much. If wood is not seasoned correctly it can move but; that is rare for the most part. However; someone with the knowledge can straight wood just as they can straighten steel. If you ever take the time to see how rifle and shotgun barrels are made. You will see what I am talking about. Shotgun stock makers once add castoff and drop using heat and moisture to better fit a shotgun stock to the shooter. The same as Fishing rod makers use heat to straighten Bamboo rods. Look at a bent wood rocker sometime or a recurve bow. 🙄🙂
Enjoy watching your videos
I appreciate that
I have a current production Featherweight in .243. It’s a sweet rifle at a reasonable price.
Ed if I didn't reload and had to use factory ammo I would have went with a .243 instead of the .257 Robert's. Both are just great low recoiling cartridges ideal for a Featherweight.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I don’t hunt, but I do frequent the range. I love the light recoil. If I need more recoil😀, I take my 45-70.
I almost picked up a rifle recently very similar to your 257 Roberts. It was in 280 Rem with the same stock and CRF. Was in very good shape. My brother in law is the proud owner now thanks to my tip on it as he’s wanted a 280 for a while. Know much about that rifle or were some special ones made in the last 20 yrs in that caliber being CRF?
Is there something special to G10 material, or is it just a rebranding of something that already exists? I prefer my G10 grips on my SIG P229 pistol over my wood grips, but I don't know how that material would translate to a rifle stock. I know it's not as pretty as wood, but I love the feel of it (especially the checkering) and, like synthetic, it won't warp over time and allegedly you can work it similar to wood.
I think one of the greatest failures in modern gun manufacturing (even high end guns) is that the wood used isn't anything compared to the wood stocks of 60 or a 100 years ago. I still hunt an old 1928 Winchester Model 12 and that stock is bullet proof. On the other hand I've got a pile of nice new rifles that if you look at the wood it'll scratch. It may very well be a result of timber practices, us rushing production and the wood being younger and just not as stout. But whatever the case, the wood used now tends to be nothing compared to the older stocks and that's another benefit of the synthetics on modern guns.
A winchester model 12 is a shotgun i know that because I have 2 of them one is a 1957 build date and the other is a 1942 build date that was issued to the guard unit at the oak ridge national laboratory , I'm sure their could have been other firearms made by Winchester that came out the same year but when you say model 12 the shotgun is the one that is the most well known! That is because it was used in ww1, ww2, Korea and Vietnam wars!
@@mikebeddingfield2144, yes, I hunt with a 1928 Winchester Model 12 20ga nickel steel shotgun. The wood on that shotgun is a thousand times better than the wood on any of my modern rifles. It’s better wood than the high grade wood on most anything offered nowadays.
@@davidjoy1846 yes sir it is, i riley enjoy the slam fire capability of the model 12 as well. Very handy when you need that lighting fast backup shot
Preach it brother
I have three new and thus FN Model 70s. All control feed. One of them is my 6.5 Creedmore Super Grade with a French walnut stock. They'll be burying me with that rifle. My synthetic Savage 243 shoots as good as any rifle I've ever fired. It's a tool.
You don’t see people spray painting their high polished walnut stock either.
oh btw you can use a synthetic stock as a boat paddle if necessary......don't ask how i know 😁
The only problem I've seen personally with wood stocks were with 338 win mag. My brother's model 77 ruger cracked at the wrist and tore out the recoil lug. Steel bedded it abdcross bolted the forend. The newer model 70 Winchester left hand blew out the recoil lug after about 10 rounds. It got Steel bedded. Saw another almost identical ruger 77 in the pawn shop. Broken wrist repair and cracked forend. The McMillan stock on mine gives me noticeably less recoil impact to my cheek and shoulder and is actually on par with my solid butt plate pre 64 in 30-06. Love the walnut, love the stocks CZ puts on their rifles. Both definitely have their place. Nothing is more hideous than a lever action rifle with a synthetic stock, rails and a suppressor. Have you ever seen a wood stock ar? Also hideous. The last few Winchester factories did a terrible job bedding their actions.
The action screw on the ruger m77s should be tourqed to 90 pounds and the wood stocks don't last long. I had a ruger guide gun 338 win mag and a m77 tang safety that both cracked stocks at the same areas you mentioned
Im a synthetic and ceramic cerakote guy. I like to hunt and not be worried bout weather or scratches in the brush. I just focus on hunting now. Not distracted by the fear of hurting my thousands of dollars rifle
Opinions are like bungholes. Everybody has one and it usually stinks.
Great video! I have the same Featherweight as yours in 257 Roberts and I think it was also made in 1982, hard to confirm. I'm crazy about that rifle!
I love stocks made from American black walnut, I don't like laminate wood stocks but I'll choose laminate over polymer any day.