Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles thumbhole laminate stocks??

what is the advantage to them in a hunting rifle? seems awkward... but what do I know? thanks

I have a couple in praire dog rifles. Seems to help a little to pull the stock into your shoulder for a steadier hold, they aren't the easiest thing to look at though.

For deliberate shooting (like P-dogs) they are stable. For big game hunting they are very slow to get into action compared to a good quasi English design like the Kimber 8400.

The large majority I have seen weren't ambidextrous and that wouldn't cut it for hunting (except when used for the aforementioned little critters).

Many thumbholes are just stocks with a hole in them. I have all my gunsmithing done at Harry Lawson's where some of the earliest thumbholes were produced. Their thumbhole is a concept that goes way beyond just the thumbhole. The stock is shaped to make it light yet help the shooter handle recoil. It was designed for hunting with offhand shooting in mind.

I only have one picture which is a leftie.


Note some of the features: There is a crossbolt safety in the triggerguard, oversized flared recoil pad, straightline stock and shapely lines. The grip is shaped to fit the hand and is canted at a comfortable angle. If I were to get a thumbhole I would pass on the clunky ones and get a Lawson.

They also make laminate versions.

Personally, I like them although they do take some getting used too.

I learned to shoot with a FN Fal, and to this day, a proper pistol grip like those had, or on an AR, feels the most comfortable and "instinctive" to handle. A laminated or wood thumbhole replicates that to a large degree, but does so without the "black rifle" look...

I was looking at a Remington Model 7 chambered in of all things 300 RSAUM. Definately not contoured for anyone but a righthanded shooter...

That just won't work for me as a big game rifle. I've had to shoot from the left on several occasions.

From the bench, they are great; in the field, it's another story. Imagine the time, taking your thumb out of the hole, flipping the safety off, and then putting your thumb back in the hole before you could get a shot off. It seems getting your thumb back in the hole whilst shouldering the piece is very ackward.
I tried one for a year and didn't like it.

I really like Thumb Hole stocks. I shoot considerably better with one. Off the bench and off handed. No they are not as fast as a straight grip stock. But I have no need for speed in a rifle. I only stand hunt. My shots are never rushed, and I do not take running shots-so speed is not the issue for me-accuracy is. And as said above I can shoot considerably better off handed with a TH stock.

And yes you can get an ambi. TH stock. The top picture is on ambi. TH stock, made by Richard's Microfit.

The other thing I like about TH stocks is that you get better recoil and muzzle flip control. I have gone to TH's on almost all my serious hunting rifles, except my lever actions. And all LEFTIES!! Tom.













[img]http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o223/HEAD0001/IMG_0440.jpg[/img]

With an ambidextrous cheekpiece......

NO. But in a pinch you can shoot it right handed. I have done it. Not nominal, but it can be done. With some TH's it can't be done. They slimmed down the section in front of the "hole". Go to their web site and you can read more about it. Here is the link if you wish to learn more about it. We must keep our minds open. Tom.

http://rifle-stocks.com/dualgripthumbhole.htm

I have an open mind and I know what works for me and maybe if I spent my life in a stand than a thumbhole would just the ticket for a SERIOUS rifle. But I don't and I ain't.

Lighten up DUDE. You are far too serious. I was only showing what I liked. Sorry if I disagreed with you, but no reason to take it personal. WOW.

And I was only showing how it was ambi. And how it can even be used without putting your thumb in the hole as a regular pistol grip stock. But did you even bother to read the link?? Personally I doubt it.

But then I guess if it is not a "serious" rifle like the ones you have then how could it be any good?? Lighten up, life is too short. Tom.

I like the way a TH stock feels when shouldered but they are ugly as hell . But then again I think the M70 FWT and 700 MTN rifle are the sexiest stocks every made.

I'm very lightened up, of course we ain't talking about using 22 calibers for deer hunting, which you know don't work.

Ambidextrous stocks are a concession not worth making.

[quote=Steelhead]I'm very lightened up, of course we ain't talking about using 22 calibers for deer hunting, which you know don't work.

Is that the one that Way over penatrates?

Out of all my rifles I have two thumbholes. I'm a stand hunter and I think thumbholes are great for that use. I love the feel you get when you shoulder them, they feel very secure and everything just seems to line up. But, if I decide to walk and stalk on a day I take something else.
LH 270 Rem. BDL
LH 50cal, Knight MK85

I only have one, but it is very comfortable in the stand or at the range. Having your trigger hand in that upright position is just more natural to me. My gun is left-hand stock with right hand bolt. Works great for a left eyed, right handed shooter like me.
Of course, I have lighter guns if I planned on a long hike or a long stalk.

SH, over the years I have had to make a right hand shot only a couple times. Last week at a pig because I was driving and he was almost behind the truck. Seems more important in turkey hunting where the birds might spot the extra movement. But I don't expect a deer to survive the slight turn necessary for me to shoot with my preferred shoulder.

stumpy

Some time ago I put a thumbhole stock on a Ruger 10-22 T 22 that I used for spring prairie dog shooting. I like the way it handled . I also have a 223 Rem Howa 1500 Varmint that came with a thumbhole stock. I dident care for the small forearm on the Rem 700 LS 221 Fireball rifle so I put a Boyds thumbhole varmint stock on it and have another one on order from Boyds to put on my 17 Fireball Rem 700 rifle. I shoot the rifles off a bench rest to develope reloades but most of my shooting is at prairie dogs.