Tactical vs. Thumbhole

[LRShooting]

So I am having a hard time deciding between a boyd's thumbhole or tactical stock for my savage M11 trophy hunter xp. I see thumbhole over and over, but it tactical any better for any reason? I really like the way tacticals look, and I like the wide fore end. This gun will be primarily hunting at all distances. However, weight is not an issue. I am looking for which stock is stiffest and is gonna be the most comfortable for all positions, from standing to prone. I honestly have never expirienced either type. All my guns are the plain stock that comes standard on most hunting rifles, but I do have a 22 that has a wide grip up front which I like more than a narrow grip. I guess it basically comes down to is a tactical stock going to be shootable while standing without a large problem? Ive read thumbhole over and over for hunting, but i like the style and wide forestock of the tacticals. Big concern is upright position shooting.

Update: Follow up shots are gonna be a big issue. I did a little more research and I think tactical sounds like the one for me. Sometimes when we are running draws, I may only have time to shoot a couple bullets so every second counts. Just a couple years ago, I had 4 deer down in under 10 seconds. Thats not super fast, especially with the adrenaline pumping making everything slow down, but the last deer just about got away since they haul butt when the are getting shot at. So if a thumbhole is gonna slow me down, ill go tactical. I see how it would slow you down a lot tho since time has to be taken to put your hand back in the hole and pull out. Also, I read that it makes it a pain to flick the safety on and off, especially since my gun has a tang safety.

 

[Inebriated]

The thumbholes are generally slower for follow-up shots, in my shooting. If you're hunting where a quick second shot is necessary, then I'd rather have something more traditional.

 

[gdcpony]

I like the thumbhole for my bolt guns. I love they way they feel and look. I shoot better with them by far.

However, I have to admit they are a bit slower.

 

[BCRider]

I'd say that any option where your thumb needs to slip over and out from under the stock is going to slow you down. In the situation you describe I'd suggest that a classic style stock with a high cheek rest would be better than either the tactical or thumbhole. With that style it's a short and natural sweep of your fingers up and around the bolt to cycle it up and back and for your thumb to hook it forward and back down.

 

[gspn]

i tried a thumbhole stock on a hunting rifle but didn't like it. It seems like once a year i'll get in a spot where i have to make a left handed shot (I'm right handed) and the thumbhole stock I had made it difficult to do well.

i loved the way it felt when shooting right handed, but left handed from some awkward field positions it was not working for me.

 

[LAGS]

From my stock building experience,
A thumbhole is Quicker to the shoulder on the First shot and so is a Pistol Grip stock.
But a conventual stock is quicker on follow up shots.
Now the Tactical Design is more for a Stationary platform, but is quicker on the follow up shots over a Thumbhole or pistol grip.
But Most Tactical rifles have a more closed grip radius and are designed more for Prone shooting.
I built my tactical with a more open grip radius , because I am not going to be using it from a prone position, and for the most part will be carrying it while I hunt, but want the Tactical Style for setting up for longer shots.

 

[WVRJ]

I like the tactical style vertical pistol grip better than the thumbhole because it's much handier to cycle the bolt in case a follow up shot is needed.I don't like the wide flat fore end for offhand or shooting from sitting without a rest.Manners stocks has a hunting stock that has the best of both worlds,but it ain't cheap.The bigger butt and heavier design of most tactical stocks does add weight if that's a consideration.

 

[d2wing]

For hunting I prefer a conventional stock for hunting. Your hand can rotate around the wrist of the stock easier and quicker to mount it from a normal carry position. If the others stocks were better bird hunters would use them on shotguns. As a bird hunter, no one does. Tactical is good depending on how you carry. Thumb hole is good for accuracy but slower to mount.

 

[Saleen322]

This is why Richards makes the ""Dual Grip" thumb hole stock. You can use it either way.

 

[jmr40]

Seems like I see more thumbhole stocks getting broken. I can see a more vertical grip helping on a semi, but not on a bolt rifle.