Thread: Recent trends in firearm fashion

Most of those things do have practical purpose. Synthetic stainless certainly can take a bit more abuse without rust or damaging your nice stock.
Carbon stock can save a reasonable bit of weight.
30mm scopes have more elevation for those who need it, as well as let in more light.
Suppressors save your hearing.
Bipods have their place for open country or when long range/varmints are the main target.
The latest cartridges seem to be much more practical than the last generation which was full of Super Ultra long magnum rounds and Super Ultra short ones. Where as the likes of 6.5 creedmoor doesn't claim to be a Super Loudenboomer, but it does what it does efficently.

The fads I don't think are necessary are:
Custom painted camo hunting rifles.
Anything other than a picatinny rail for sights or a bipod.
A hotrod cartridge in a short "bush pig" rifle (never understood why you would want a expensive flat shooting round in a ridle designed for 200m max).
Fluting a bolt to save weight, yet put a 30mm or 34mm scope on the same rifle, or a stainless suppressor.
I really dont like the latest fad of ladder reticles that allow you to use hold overs out to a 1000yards, yet is put on a scope with exposed turrets or cds turrets.