Synthetic vs. wood stocks and recoil

[Ruark]

True or false:

A gun with a synthetic stock kicks harder than a wood stock. Not only is there a weight difference, but the wood stock absorbs the energy better than a synthetic.

The reason I'm asking: I have a synthetic stocked .243 (Marlin XLS) and I swear it kicks as hard as my old wood-stocked 30.06. Just wondering what everybody else thought. I've read several times that the above statement is true.

[tbeak]

I think there is a relation but also, and more importantly I think, it's the gun design

But there's more educated folks than myself

[topduarte]

For me I do not know as all of my guns are wood stock instead of plastic/synthetic.

I just like the look of them.

But my old Mossberg 88 with slugs and synthetic stock did kick like a mule.

[DuramaxDude]

True or false:

A gun with a synthetic stock kicks harder than a wood stock. Not only is there a weight difference, but the wood stock absorbs the energy better than a synthetic.

The reason I'm asking: I have a synthetic stocked .243 (Marlin XLS) and I swear it kicks as hard as my old wood-stocked 30.06. Just wondering what everybody else thought. I've read several times that the above statement is true.

Yeah weight has a lot to do with it of course but how the gun is bedded and designed and if it does or doesn't have a recoil lug and whether or not it has a kick pad and how good of one it has all makes a big difference. If its a hollowed synthetic stock you could fill gaps it with epoxy or something like that to add weight to it or a limbsaver recoil pad or a mercury filled metal recoil reduction tube put in the stock with foam or something.

[Lone_Wolf]

I'm saying false, That's just from my experience. But I don't buy the cheap-o super-lite synthetic stock guns. I prefer synthetic. I hate scratching up a pretty wood stock. I think design has a lot to do with it, and weight obviously. Weatherby Vanguard S2 is a good example of a nice synthetic stock reasonably priced rifle with a decent weight to it that doesn't kick bad at all in your bigger calibers. My dad has two Winchester Model 70 wood stock 30-06's that will knock your shoulder off.

[TacticalCowboy]

I think it's all in stock design. Strangely enough, I had a Marlin XL7 in 30-06 that was quite pleasant to shoot. A TC Encore of about the same weight was brutal in both .308 and 30-06, with either the walnut or thumbhole stock.

[kumathebear]

Prefer synthetic but also love the thumbhole laminate as well? No help but one thing I do know at least for me and the boys....I notice EVERY little blemish or scratch on wood...just one of the reasons we have gone to synthetic and SS instead of blue. I do believe weight and design has a lot to do with recoil, but the big calibers are long gone for me and my old fart shoulders.

[topduarte]

I understand everybodys liking to synthetic but it does not it for me. Old school wood here for me with battle scars is the I go.

[dustoffer]

Shape of the stock (drop at heel, comb height, etc), weight, and composition of the recoil pad are the factors I would argue for over stock material.

[Cajun Blake]

Shape of the stock (drop at heel, comb height, etc), weight, and composition of the recoil pad are the factors I would argue for over stock material.

x 2

[LWD]

Shape of the stock (drop at heel, comb height, etc), weight, and composition of the recoil pad are the factors I would argue for over stock material.

x3 and add the width of the butt and overall gun fit. Way too many factors to make such a sweeping generalization.

LWD