JeffG,
I always thought that too until I started handling/shooting Steyr’s and while they do have extra wood they are much lighter than most wood stocked rifles - especially American ones (never did understand why the major companies didn’t remove more wood to make the stocks handle better?! The Ruger mannlicher stock rifles are a step in the right direction but could still stand to lose some significant wood.
Of course just my opinion but I like the styling of a well made mannlicher and 260Remguy probably has the reasoning right - when hunters actually walked to hunt instead of resting on there vehicle or other rest and shooting 1/2 mile+
PennDog
