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9667C26F-E387-485B-984C-DEDD5A0C90C7.jpeg The myth of plastic stocks enabling a rifle to shoot straighter has taken over our society. Manufacturers did everything they could to promote vacuum cast materials because they don't require much craftsmanship or cost. Off course, that should lead to more inexpensive guns (to some extent it has) but it has further reduced the gunmakers craft making it closer to building toys. I have a few black guns and some that I have replaced plastic with wood but my taste will always be something like this. When some future 4th generation grandson of mine gets it, he will know his great, great, great, grandfather was a classy guy.
 
I understand about finding a used wood stiocked and blued steel rifle...
I was lamenting the next to nothing production of new bolt action rifles made with wood stocks , blued steel and iron sights.
Seems like most production rifles have a synthetic stock , no irons and a black or camouflage paint job...not something I'm interested in.

As I said in my first post in this thread ...perhaps its a good thing that I do not work for a rifle or hunting apparel company...:D
And to add that I am glad that we are not limited to my likes and dislikes in the firearms world ...just would be happy to see a return to more wood stocks and blued steel.
Andy

The rise in popularity of the plastic stock is probably perfect timing, high quality wood, suitable for rifle stocks has been getting scarcer!
Even in the mid eighties when I worked at Kimber of Oregon there were difficulties obtaining enough matching blanks to turn out a production run of rifle stocks. Sometimes they had to kind of save up enough blanks to do the run, or have a smaller run.
I'm kind of lucky in my goofiness, I like a good looking fiber/polymer stock almost as much as beautiful wood! Most of my bolt rifles are from the, '60 thru '80s and have some beautiful California Claro Walnut stocks as well as plain but nicely figured walnut, so plenty of room for plastic in my safe! :)
 
personally at that type of money or much less I would and have had a better custom built- pick a decent action- rem 700 - savage etc- even a used one - last custom i had done was a remmy 700 ss adl bimart closeout on black friday - 339.00$ out the door with a cheap scope- pick a qualified gunsmith - have the action fully trued and tuned- pick a barrel from the several quality manufacturers - 300$ to 400$ pick your cartridge- pick out your stock- lots of stock options from wood-laminates- glass- composites from 125$ to 600$ the new boyds At1 at 200$ is a bargain- pick out your preference for bottom metal 125$ to 500$ - pick out a good trigger 125-250$ let the smith go to work. my last custom total smith cost was under 500- included action trueing- chambering-threading-custom muzzle brake- inletting for action and bottom metal- action bedding - relieving barrel channel to float a heavy varmint barrel- trigger setup- handed me a custom ready to shoot that will shoot 1/4 moa- and cost under 2000$ and performs and looks better then a 3000$ weatherby in my opinion .
 
View attachment 397872 The myth of plastic stocks enabling a rifle to shoot straighter has taken over our society. Manufacturers did everything they could to promote vacuum cast materials because they don't require much craftsmanship or cost. Off course, that should lead to more inexpensive guns (to some extent it has) but it has further reduced the gunmakers craft making it closer to building toys. I have a few black guns and some that I have replaced plastic with wood but my taste will always be something like this. When some future 4th generation grandson of mine gets it, he will know his great, great, great, grandfather was a classy guy.

Beautiful rifle!!! Great scope mounts!.......Ya big show off! ;););)
 
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View attachment 397872 The myth of plastic stocks enabling a rifle to shoot straighter has taken over our society.

I believe you're right about this line, @Argonaut .
My rifle wears a synthetic stock and not for this reason. It's for the reason that my rifle attracts so much water during hunting season that you'd think it was a submarine! The Hogue I have is real 'grippy' also has a better recoil pad than a Ruger stock. The best group I ever shot out of one of my Rugers was when it had the Ruger walnut stock on it, though. Probably shouldn't have sold that stock.
 
Myself I've gotten away from the Weatherbey's entirely. With the cost of the guns and cost of ammo, Phewwww!! I've sold the 2-3 Belgium's I had for years not to awe-full long ago and got big bucks for them. The ammo cost was eating me out of house and home to the point I couldn't really enjoy going out and shooting them much as much as I would liked to have. Seriously 60-80 bucks for a box minimum,,,REALLY??? Why?

Ya Ya I know, reload for them. Fine if you only have a few guns,but when you got my heard of guns, I just plain don't want to have 10,000 dies Plus I'm just sick of fussing with wildcats and Weatherby calibers anymore. I did that when I was young and it just sucks up to much time IMHO. I can still shoot sub 1/2 moa groups with many of my standard caliber guns and at 67 I don't think it's going ta get much better than that,,,no matter What I spend,,LOL!!!

Lets face it, there's guns out there that will shoot damn near as well at 1/3 the cost with out even having to fuss with them. Some of the heavy barrel tactical and varmit Savage's come to mind for one, those shoot awesome. And for about a grand -1200 ready to rock. Tons of caliber choices too.

Mind you I absolutely love my Weatherbey's but I don't really see paying what there asking for a plastic stock gun nowadays, there living off there reputation and just hoping for a sucker to pay 3K for one . No Frigging Way is it worth it IMHO.

Now a nice early grade 4-5 Belgium,,,that just may be an entirely different story !

I love those bad boys, there beautiful! And a past weakness of mine,,,,,,,,
 
Myself I've gotten away from the Weatherbey's entirely. With the cost of the guns and cost of ammo, Phewwww!! I've sold the 2-3 Belgium's I had for years not to awe-full long ago and got big bucks for them. The ammo cost was eating me out of house and home to the point I couldn't really enjoy going out and shooting them much as much as I would liked to have. Seriously 60-80 bucks for a box minimum,,,REALLY??? Why?

Ya Ya I know, reload for them. Fine if you only have a few guns,but when you got my heard of guns, I just plain don't want to have 10,000 dies Plus I'm just sick of fussing with wildcats and Weatherby calibers anymore. I did that when I was young and it just sucks up to much time IMHO. I can still shoot sub 1/2 moa groups with many of my standard caliber guns and at 67 I don't think it's going ta get much better than that,,,no matter What I spend,,LOL!!!

Lets face it, there's guns out there that will shoot damn near as well at 1/3 the cost with out even having to fuss with them. Some of the heavy barrel tactical and varmit Savage's come to mind for one, those shoot awesome. And for about a grand -1200 ready to rock. Tons of caliber choices too.

Mind you I absolutely love my Weatherbey's but I don't really see paying what there asking for a plastic stock gun nowadays, there living off there reputation and just hoping for a sucker to pay 3K for one . No Frigging Way is it worth it IMHO.

Now a nice early grade 4-5 Belgium,,,that just may be an entirely different story !

I love those bad boys, there beautiful! And a past weakness of mine,,,,,,,,
I think you ment to say German. Before Roy designed and started producing his own MK 5 he built guns on many actions possibly including some on The FN/Browning action but the MK5's were built in northern (west) Germany prior to moving to Japan and then back to the US. My 378 ammo is 135.00 or so a box but it isn't a range rifle you shoot 100's of rounds a weekend with. If I shoot a box a year, that is a lot and means I killed a lot of game. My 308/7.62 and 5.56 rifles take most of the shooting. I am not convinced that the rifles are any more expensive than they ever were. When I started my first job, minimum wage was 1.65 an hr and I couldn't afford a Weatherby. The same as minimum wage people today can't afford the price tag for one. They are good solid rifles, not the finest on the market but very capable and nice. They still do not cost what the finest rifles do.
 
View attachment 397872 The myth of plastic stocks enabling a rifle to shoot straighter has taken over our society. Manufacturers did everything they could to promote vacuum cast materials because they don't require much craftsmanship or cost. Off course, that should lead to more inexpensive guns (to some extent it has) but it has further reduced the gunmakers craft making it closer to building toys. I have a few black guns and some that I have replaced plastic with wood but my taste will always be something like this. When some future 4th generation grandson of mine gets it, he will know his great, great, great, grandfather was a classy guy.

You should really post a warning before displaying rifle porn like that..:rolleyes:.. yea gods that's gorgeous!
 
Is that like the 27th iteration of the 6.5?
I'm holding out for the 6.5-22rimfire with the countersunk breach face. Should work well for ringing doorbells @ .35yards.
I do like my new 6.5 X55, but while it feels good and works on paper... unfortunately I was unsuccessful in evaluating its performance on deer this year:(
Well, another 354 days (if they don't set the season back another month) and try again:)
 

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