New Synthetic stock vs orginal

1

1MX

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2016
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Location
Georgia
I have a 1500 .270. It is not modified at all and well kept.

I would like to tighten up the grouping. Would it be better to buy a new synthetic stock or free float, pillar, or glass bed (etc) the original stock.

I would hate to change out the wooden stock but want to confidently shoot past 200+ yards.

Thank you for the replies.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Have you first tried different ammo, reloads, various factory loads as well. My 1500 in 3006 liked Winchester better than Remington factory loads. The nice think about a synthetic stock is that it can weigh less. People worry about wood moving but if the stock is dry and finished on all sides inside and out it is not going to move a lot. You might try some pressure under the fore-end and see what that does. Of course good glass and mounts are a plus as well. Good luck and merry Christmas.
 
Troystat said:
Have you first tried different ammo, reloads, various factory loads as well. My 1500 in 3006 liked Winchester better than Remington factory loads. The nice think about a synthetic stock is that it can weigh less. People worry about wood moving but if the stock is dry and finished on all sides inside and out it is not going to move a lot. You might try some pressure under the fore-end and see what that does. Of course good glass and mounts are a plus as well. Good luck and merry Christmas.
Click to expand...


What do you mean pressure under the fore-end? Also, would glass bedding be better than free floating?
 
Pressure under the fore-end is where the farther most part of the stock touches the barrel. Most wood stocks have 'bumps' at that point to contact/apply upward pressure to the barrel. A business card can be put there to apply more upward pressure OR apply upward pressure to a floated barrel where no pressure existed.
Glass bedding is usually used with a free floated barrel to solidify the receiver to the stock and allow the free floated barrel to vibrate. The vibrations become consistent and allow for finding accurate loads.
 
I experienced a similar situation with my pre 64' Mod. 70. The original wood stock had been refinished and after having it properly restored, it looked and shot great. This rifle, with the original stock, provided 3/4" inch groups with its favorite load.

One evening, upon returning from a successful hunt, I pulled the rifle, in its case, from the back seat. As I slung the rifle case over my shoulder, I felt the rifle shift and slither out the bottom of the unzipped case. A careless, stupid mistake on my part.

The butt of the rifle hit the concrete floor on the toe of the stock, cracked the original butt plate and sheared off a triangular piece of the stock that stopped just behind the sling swivel stud.

Off to my friend, who repairs stocks, it went and the search began for a replacement synthetic stock. I selected a Bell & Carlson model with the gray, spider web finish. The next stop was to my gunsmith for glass bedding and free floating the barrel.

It turned out great! With the new stock, bedding and free floated barrel, the 3/4" groups turned into 1/2" and less groups at 100 yards with the rifles favorite load. The original, repaired, wooden stock now resides in a gun cabinet for safe keeping.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0165.JPG
    IMG_0165.JPG
    229.5 KB · Views: 8
Last edited:
When it comes to wooden stocks on a rifle I have them free floated and have never been disappointed. When it comes to cheap synthetic stocks on a rifle I replace them with a better synthetic stock.

I don't play with pressure points or anything. Put some air between the stock and barrel and you'll see a difference.
 
Adding to my post #5. I'm a Remington 700 person although I do look for S&W 1500s' at gun shows, and reworked 3 700s'. A 700BDL 17Rem,a 700ADL 6mmRem,and a 700ADL 30-06. After shooting them 'stock',all three were glass bedded and free floated,all 3 improved.
 
What size group are you getting now? It may be, depending on what you're shooting at, you have sufficient accuracy to be confident beyond 200 already. Could be all you need is practice at longer ranges.
 
^^^ that. The 1500s',being built with Howa actions are excellent and accurate. What are the intended targets past 200yrds ? The 270Winchester is an excellent long range cartridge. with its' .277" dia bullets,it's the next size up from the current rage of 6.5mm weaponry.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top