In theory the laminate is the stiffiest, most rigid stock. This is in a premium grade stock that the laminate layers alternate the grain of the wood with a lot of epoxy resin used. These are also the most stable in heat/cold differences. In the real cheap versions you get what you pay for. That said most of the laminates are of a medium grade. One downside is if you are going somewhere it rains a whole lot or are going to submerge your rifle in water constantly this is not the best choice as even though there is a lot of epoxy used it is still wood. They are also generally heavier than other stock options.
Composites vary wildly in quality. The best use quality plastics/fiberglass and use other fibers like graphite that add strength and ridigity. These still have some issues with heat and cold, and they flex more than a laminate. The plus is they are very durable, much lighter, and cheaper to manufacturer than the high end laminates. They are also completly waterproof if you are a duck. The wieght on some of the new stocks is almost unbelievable, the new McMillian hunter lightwwieght is 20-22 oz. Some of the low end composites are real junk and aren't even good firewood. The real cheap ones are injected plastic molded out of real low end plastic and aren't even worth the postage if someone was giving it to you.
Tactical guns are composites ( in the real world not mall Ninjas ) because of durability and cost, which mean a lot to military and police customers. Laminate stocks are usually the #1 stocks used on high end benchrest guns. These never will see the hard use that a typical military rifle will. They might get shot a lot but the top number of rounds on a benchrest rifle before rebarreling is 2000, a it is babied to and from the range. A military rifle could see that in as short as a week maybe two, and handling at times can be very poor.
Outside the realm of theory I like laminates on target/benchrest rifles, but I would also use one on a hunting rifle. Composites I would use on military reproductions, hunting rifles, and will use them in target rifles but only to save the cost of the high end laminate. If you will notice there is a lot of overlap in the above matrix, pick what you like, fit it to your expectations and requirements and buy quality and you won't be disappointed in either option.
