moving to Washington, synthetic or stainless barrel?

Oct 2014
3
0
washington
hey guys,

I'm moving to washington in the near future, I will be purchasing my first bolt-action rifle. I've been doing a lot of research to find which one to get as I am on a fairly cheap budget, one thing I cannot figure out is to get a synthetic or stainless barrel. I know the conditions in the PNW are wet, what am I lookin at here? I obviously plan on cleaning it on a regular basis, but will the synthetic barrel rust? If so what kind of timeline am I looking at. I'd prefer not to have to spend the extra money on the stainless barrel with being on a budget, but I also don't want to waste my money. Any help is greatly appreciated.

if it makes a difference I'm looking at a .308 either vangaurd 2/savage/tc venture/marlin x7(actually have read great reviews on the marlin, nervous but is a great deal)

thanks for takin the time, chris
 
Last edited:
Jan 2013
293
0
Amboy, WA
hey guys,

I'm moving to washington in the near future, I will be purchasing my first bolt-action rifle. I've been doing a lot of research to find which one to get as I am on a fairly cheap budget, one thing I cannot figure out is to get a synthetic or stainless barrel. I know the conditions in the PNW are wet, what am I lookin at here? I obviously plan on cleaning it on a regular basis, but will the synthetic barrel rust? If so what kind of timeline am I looking at. I'd prefer not to have to spend the extra money on the stainless barrel with being on a budget, but I also don't want to waste my money. Any help is greatly appreciated.

if it makes a difference I'm looking at a .308 either vangaurd 2/savage/tc venture/marlin x7(actually have read great reviews on the marlin, nervous but is a great deal)

thanks for takin the time, chris

Um, barrels aren't synthetic. You mean a synthetic stock, IE plastic? For example, the Remington 700 Synthetic Stainless has a synthetic stock and a stainless barrel. I wouldn't worry too much about a non-stainless barrel if you keep up on cleaning it.

The Vanguard you are looking at has a Synthetic stock and a steel barrel. Nothing wrong with that, just keep it clean and protected.
 
Sep 2014
1
0
Lacey WA
Remington

Chrisbt: First off, welcome to Washington (you will never regret it). I moved here in 1966 and stayed. Learned to fish and hunt. Grew up in Cleveland, what does that tell you? Anyway I agree 100% with RK600. Forget stainless steel (and yes it does rust). Personally, synthetic stocks, YUK! I also own a Remington 700 in 7 millimeter Remington magnum, not a finer rifle ever made and yes I do have a Winchester .338 (moose hunting). I used to build, finish and checker gun stocks professionally. Keep your rifle clean, lubed and in a fairly dry place and you will be fine. By the way, I do not remember exactly when I bought my 700, but I do know, that I have had it somewhere around 40 years and you can only imagine what that rifle has been through.
 
Oct 2014
3
0
washington
Um, barrels aren't synthetic. You mean a synthetic stock, IE plastic? For example, the Remington 700 Synthetic Stainless has a synthetic stock and a stainless barrel. I wouldn't worry too much about a non-stainless barrel if you keep up on cleaning it.

The Vanguard you are looking at has a Synthetic stock and a steel barrel. Nothing wrong with that, just keep it clean and protected.

*face palm* haha yes steel, I meant steel. but ok cool just wanted to make sure. thank you for responding RK600.
 
Oct 2014
3
0
washington
Chrisbt: First off, welcome to Washington (you will never regret it). I moved here in 1966 and stayed. Learned to fish and hunt. Grew up in Cleveland, what does that tell you? Anyway I agree 100% with RK600. Forget stainless steel (and yes it does rust). Personally, synthetic stocks, YUK! I also own a Remington 700 in 7 millimeter Remington magnum, not a finer rifle ever made and yes I do have a Winchester .338 (moose hunting). I used to build, finish and checker gun stocks professionally. Keep your rifle clean, lubed and in a fairly dry place and you will be fine. By the way, I do not remember exactly when I bought my 700, but I do know, that I have had it somewhere around 40 years and you can only imagine what that rifle has been through.

thanks sam! I've only been there once, Seattle. but driving around and just flying in, the nature was absolutely beautiful. I fell in love, and have since always wanted to move, and now is that time! I live in Southern California and work on a Sportfishing boat but theirs just not enough land out here, patios the size of my bathtub with no yard or garage and you pay stupid money. Just not my cup of tea anymore, I love being in the woods. and cannot wait to start hunting. I know not many like synthetic stocks but for the time being it has to, we'll see maybe ill like it. thanks for takin the time to respond.
 
Dec 2012
266
1
Vancouver, WA
While wood is definetly prettier, and I love the wood furniture I have on my long guns that are wood. I have to say I prefer the synthetic for being out in the woods or shooting clays or whatever. Synthetic just lends itself better to being a working class gun.
 
Sep 2013
32
0
Portland, OR
You might want to give stainless a slight edge if you're going to be on or near the coast. Either way, pull it out of the stock now and then and clean thoroughly and it'll be fine. Can't recommend synthetic or wood, have both and like them both. And definitely consider my wood stocked Mosins to be "working class" guns, lol.
 
Jan 2009
1,684
0
s. greenlake *****
I am still shooting the remington 660 that I had in jr high. I'm pretty sure it was manufactured in the 60's simetime. (originally .243, then .270 through high school, my dad converted it again to .308 when I left home 20 yrs ago)

Same wood stock..

I am not a fan of synthetic stocks.. just don't like holding plastic (same goes for glocks)

If it's a working gun, it doesn't really matter if your getting wood/plastic/stainless/blued.. its going to get scuffed, dirty scratched, wet..

just keep it clean and well maintained you'll get 50+ years out of whichever you choose.
 
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