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Thinking about an upgrade for my XS-7 in .308. Any thoughts on the solid walnut vs laminate varieties? How about the different profiles? Thanks in advance.

Laminates are considerably heavier

Laminates are heavier in general although solid walnut varies considerably in density so the difference might not be all that great. You can also lighten the laninates somewhat but you have to remove a lot of material to make much difference.

The walnut only costs about $40 more. I frequently hunt on horseback and am increasingly less fond of recoil as my Steve Austin shoulder ages, so I guess neither weight nor price are determining factors. Does the laminate offer significant performance advantages? Aesthetically, I kind of like them. It's not like this is a pre-'64, or anything.

https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/product-configurator

I'm thinking Classic or Prairie Hunter, maybe in Nutmeg. Which would you choose?

Laminates are usually more stable than solid walnut.

Personally, I like the looks of several of Boyd's laminate colors - nutmeg, forest, and royal jacaranda especially. I don't care about the weight or "clunkiness; many of my hunting rifles exceed 9 lbs. I'm 6'3" and have big hands.

As far as performance, laminates may be more stable and stronger than solid walnut. If you don't mind the aesthetics and weight of laminates I'd say go that direction. While I love a nice walnut stock, I've done several Boyd replacements on economy synthetic stocked rifles. A couple "non-traditional" colored stocks I've done turned out pretty cool IMO.



This checkering pattern I had them do on a stock was pretty cool and got a lot of attention.

Yep, you don’t see that checkering pattern very often.

The work required to produce a good fitting, accurate, and great looking stock is exactly the same as making a POS. So why make a turb to start with? That is absolutely a penny smart and a pound foolish.

I have multiples of both the Classic and Prairie Hunter styles. I prefer the Prairie Hunter to the Classic and the Heritage to any other style that Boyds offers.

The Heritage is a lighter version of the Prairie Hunter with a smaller forearm. I put laminated Heritage style stocks on several Ruger American Predators and the handling was improved, but the weight increased by a whole pound.

I think the nutmeg looks good too. This one is a M700 in 223.

And this one is a milsurp Mauser in 257 Roberts.

i wish they made a walnut/walnut lam,

I started with a laminated Boyd Classic, removed the cheek piece, bored out the butt stock, got the weight down to around 26 oz.

Custom Pro Oil finish (tung oil/urethane).

Jard trigger, glassed and free floated.

Shoots pretty good.

DF

Excellent information and photos, gentlemen. I'm going to look at the Heritage, and check out forest and royal jacaranda colors, too. Thank you very much.

The glue in plywood is brittle.My buddy had his split. It got sold at a gunshow. Of course you get around that by using fibers in the epoxy bedding.

Laminate = Plywood at it finest.

Nutmeg, indeed. How long's the barrel on that Bob?

I got a pink laminate BAR in 270 win, it’s very accurate. But heavy.

Pink and .270?

Now that could get you some comments.

DF

Or whistles.

Had it done at 25 inches.