Are Carbon Fiber Stocks Worth It?

Carbon Fiber stocks are one of the numerous options on the market today. But just because it is available does not necessarily mean it is a good option for a serious end user. Today we are going to see if a carbon fiber stock is worth getting when there are other options.

What is Carbon Fiber?

Before we get into the stock itself we first need to understand what carbon fiber is. Carbon fiber is a synthetic material made from a polymer made from graphite fiber. It is known for being very light when compared to steel.

Carbon fiber has the added benefit of being roughly five times stronger than steel with twice the stiffness. It also has a high tensile strength, has a low amount of thermal expansion (expanding or contracting from temperature changes), and is resistant to chemicals. Many of these factors make it ideal for firearms manufacturing.

Carbon fiber is used to reinforce stocks by replacing fiberglass in certain high stress areas. This is why many carbon fiber stocks are often referred to as composite stocks.

Carbon Fiber Stock Pros

Carbon fiber allows manufacturers to customize a stock from the ground up. This makes the rifle more consistent than traditional wooden stocks because there is less variation in the material when compared to natural wood.

The strength and rigidity of carbon fiber allows for the rifle to be better bedded which in turn allows for better grouping. The lower thermal expansion of carbon fiber helps keep the groups tighter as the barrel heats up.

Stocks made out of or reinforced with carbon fiber are lighter than wooden stocks and some styles of chassis. Since carbon fiber can be molded to shape while still maintaining its structural integrity, there are more features that can be built into the stock without having to shape and cut the piece like a wooden stock.

Carbon Fiber Pros At a Glance

• Less sensitive to temperature

• Easier barrel bedding

• Consistent in multiple areas for better accuracy

• Lighter than wooden equivalents

Carbon Fiber Stock Cons

Carbon fiber stocks do have some drawbacks despite their benefits, but they are more situational than anything.

Primarily carbon fiber stocks are not going to be extremely customizable once you get them. This means you have to be sure of the features you want in the stock and the attachment points/accessories you will be using before you make your purchase. More research has to be done prior to getting the stock than something like a chassis system.

The next drawback is the wide price range, there are carbon fiber stocks that go from around $500 to well into the $2000 range. How much you are willing to spend for the features, quality, and ergonomics will determine which one is right for you.

The final drawback is related to how light the rifle can be. While being very light makes for a great hunting rifle to hike with, those who are interested in more precision shooting may find the gun to be too light. This is especially true if you are shooting magnum or similar powered loadings.

Carbon Fiber Cons At a Glance

• Requires more research before purchase

• Wide price range

• Lighter weight less ideal for some precision shooting

Comparing Carbon Fiber to Other Stock Options

The only remaining question we have is how does a carbon fiber stock compare to other stock options.

Chassis Options

Chassis systems are one of the main contenders with a carbon fiber stock. They are very versatile, often combining AR-15 style ergonomics, accessories, and mounting options that are easily adjusted by the end user. They will have adjustable lengths of pull and comb height that allows you to customize the stock to yourself without issue.

Carbon fiber stocks also allow for adjustable combs and lengths of pull but not to the same extent as a chassis. This does depend on the model with some being more customizable while others are more rigid in their format.

Wooden Stock Options

Traditional wooden stocks have a certain appeal to them. They are also 50 state legal in most regards. They have worked well for decades and are very unassuming to those individuals who are not gun savvy. But they are more susceptible to things like moisture, temperature, and elevation.

Carbon fiber stocks share those legally accepted features but with adjustability. They also can deal with more environmental factors than their wooden counterparts. Beyond aesthetics there is little reason to get a modern hunting rifle with a wooden stock when there are better equivalent carbon fiber offerings.

Conclusion

For a lot of people who want out of the box usability, a carbon fiber stock with your desired features will be your best option. If you are looking for a great option for your next rifle build, the Manners (Insert model with link here) is worth your consideration.

Knowing what you need your rifle to do will make selecting your next rifle and rifle stock easier. What works for one person may not work for your situation.