Wood/Blued or Synth/Stainless

[osteodoc08]

I did variations of the above and found the differences between the two, but I am still up in the air as to what I want in my next deer rifle.

My current rifle is a Ruger Mark II in .243 Now that my wife shoots it, I need a new deer rifle. I'm not sure if I want to go with a blued and wood setup or a synthetic and stainless setup.

I am a sucker for beautiful wood and shiny bluing, but I also like the more 'modern' look of the stainless and synthetic stock. Help!!!

 

[osteodoc08]

Anyone? I am really undecided and need some guidance. I am looking at mainly Ruger and Savage if that helps any.

 

[middy]

If it's just the looks that concern you, you're on your own. If not, what, specifically, do you need advice about?

 

[jobu07]

If it's going to be a true blue hunting rifle and you've got the luxury of making a choice and buying brand new. Grab a syn and ss. You'll have less to worry about in terms of rusting given being out all day in the humidity and possibly rain/snow.

I came home one night after hunting and put my shotgun away. I was out in the pouring rain for about 15 minutes prior to getting into the house. I gave the shotgun a cursory wipedown with an oily rag and put'er away till the next day. Low and behold, I take it out the next morning and the nice shiney blued barrel is orange! That rust will sneak up on you quick! Of course, with a nice thorough cleaning, it was back to normal. But ss is a nice luxury to have for peace of mind.

 

[osteodoc08]

I do enjoy the look of wood and a good blued barrel, not the factory bead blasted finish many are putting out today.

The main reason I threw this to the opinions of others is that I like the look of both and couldn't decide. I'm leaning towards the SS option as my other Ruger is wood/blue. Just wanted everyone else's 0.02

 

[Darth Ruger]

Where will you be hunting with it? Climate? Terrain?

 

[Ala Dan]

How 'bout laminated stock and stainless?

 

[osteodoc08]

I'll be hunting in Georgia, I'm not much for the rain, but I usually hunt on days were it is misting or light occasional rain (if I can), not when it is pouring down. I like laminate, but it sure gets heavy toting around the woods.

 

[berettashotgun]

Laminated stainless

 

[Coltdriver]

The latest rifle I bought was an encore in stainless and synthetic.

I got it in that configuration so that I could take it out in the field and get it wet and dirty and not have to fret about ruining a beautiful piece of wood or the blueing. I hunt in the mountains of Colorado but it does rain or snow or you end up climbing through the snow once in a while.

I only have a couple of rifles that are in blue and wood. A ruger #1, a #3 and a Model 70. My Model 70 is so pretty I don't like to take it hunting.

The rest of my rifles are parkerized or poly coated or painted.

So besides being good looking, the stainless and synthetic do have a utilitarian purpose to them. I would think that in a high humidity area like Georgia that the weather proof aspect would be a plus.

 

[f4t9r]

I also like the laminated stock and stainless
would be a good choice

 

[aerod1]

I prefer blue guns with wood furniture! I have some that I have been hunting with for years and they still look good. They just need a little TLC.

Jim

 

[osteodoc08]

Thanks guys, you've swayed my to the synthetic and stainless route for this one.

 

[MachIVshooter]

you've swayed my to the synthetic and stainless route for this one

For a rifle that is to be carried through the woods, that is the way to go. No worries about rust, small scratches, etc.