My preference has always been towards wood stocks. I do not own a synthetic stock on any of my current firearms and the only way I would is if I were to buy a rifle strictly for out west. In that case, I would look for something in a Stainless/Synthetic combination. Be aware that the lighter weight of a synthetic stock could have an affect on recoil. I can see where it would be a good choice for waterfowl as well, but I have seen many wood stocked Remmy 870's and Mossy 500's that have been used as "boat oars" over the years with no ill effects, as long as one properly dries everything out at the end of the day. Sorry, call me nostalgic or whatever, but there is something about a nice wood stock that makes a gun, a gun. To me, that plastic, no matter how "nice" and high quality it is, just takes away from the overall aesthetic qualities of the firearm. Picture a beautiful old Winchester Model 101 with a black plastic stock...ummmm.....NO!