Yes , they are a dipped laminate stock and a bit heavy , but light for a longrange gun . They have just enough weight to allow for a very steady hold out in the field for longer shots like antelope that have already been shot at a bunch or late season cow elk hunts where they are out on those flat mesa's and you can only get within a few hundred yards even when you are belly crawling . The gun lays down like a Cadillac on a good rest and makes the longer shots a piece of cake .The one I have here is exactly 9 lbs with a Leupold 4.5x14x40mm CDS scope mounted in Warne mounts . They are also balanced very well , so they carry good. I bought one for my wife , she took both a huge cow elk at 250yds and a nice 11pt muley this year with hers , both heart shots , one and done . I have set up and worked up loads for a couple of these guns in 3006 for guys I work with this year and then mounted Leupold CDS scopes with the dials etched with the loads ballistic data . The ones I have shot will do .5 moa , another one of my hunting buddies got one in 7mm mag , and it shoots just as well . We have not needed to use the muzzle brake , gun has enough heft and very good stock design , so recoil is very mild. Triggers have also been excellent on all of these guns that I have shot. I would not have bought one at the list price of $1270 , as I think you can do better at that price point, but at $499 they are a no brainer for someone who needs a gun to reach out a bit . Combine this deal with some of the VX3 1" Leupold CDS scopes that were on sale and being discontinued this year and a guy could get a great setup , rifle & scope for under $900.