Custom long range, light weight Build - Which stock

300magman

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I am planning a long range hunting rifle on a custom long action (rem clone or not hasn't been decided yet) and I am trying to keep the weight down while still having a significant barrel.

At the moment I am trying to pick a top quality stock that is both light enough and strong enough to suit my purposes.

Top contenders so far are the McMillan A4, Manners T4, and possibly HS Pro Varmint/Tactical. All are "tactical" vertical grips which is what I want for this rifle, and all weigh in around 2.5-3lbs WITHOUT the optional cheek rests and length of pull adjustments (which increase the weight 1.5 to 2 lbs)


Are there any other stocks out there that I should be considering? Anything more economical? or lighter?



ALSO - a big Thanks to everyone who has been responding to my questions, I know there have been a lot of them . . . . this is my first custom rifle, and I really want to make it a dream to shoot.
 
What chambering and what's your intended purpose?

If it were me, I'd skip all the adjustable stuff right off the bat. You mentioned the A4 and T4, have you used those stocks before? I only ask because I have used them and the A4 doesn't work for me, and I don't like it. Stocks are a personal preference though, and what works for me might not work for you. I'd run an A5 with no adjustable anything. I'd also run a dupe of about a Rem Varmint/Sendero contour. I've had the M40/#7 and other heavy barrel tapers and compared to quality barrel makers Varmint contours I've no seen any benefits, unless you just want the weight.

You can get 30mm tubed, 50mm obj scopes monuted low enough with badger/seekins rails and low rings to clear the barrel and no cheekpiece is needed.

I just prefer as little fluff and extras on my killing rifles and I follow that even with bottom metal. I run ADL bottom metal and it doesn't get any more simple than that.
 
Id go with a Mcmillian ADJ HTG or in you case since you dont want adjustable the regular HTG and probably even better for you since you want vertical grip would be the A3 which is the best stock out there I have used I like it way better than the A4 because its less weight and the foreend is not bulky.
The A4 is good if you plan on shooting of a rest more than out of position.
Manners makes some that are similar to the Mcmillians and a couple new thumbhole stocks that look like they would be a pleasure to shoot I have never used a manners but they get good reviews and are made pretty much out of the same stuff as Mcmillians.
go to Results for MANNERS STOCKS
They might have one in stock for your action so no long wait time.

I personally always get adjustable stocks I almost need to because my ideal LOP is longer than what most normal stocks are stock my neck is pretty long to so its rare that I find a non adjustable comb that can fit me good.
to me that feature is worth the little bit of extra weight.
you can keep down the weight by going with a lighter barrel for hunting you do not need it to be able to retain ultra tight groups during rapid sustained fire since you probably wont be doing that.

If you know who is going to build this rifle for you I suggest two things first make sure he is a good LR rifle builder the best you can find look to see who is making the rifles that are winning or consistently placing good at long range Comps in your state.
Second see what he has in his shop you might be able to try out several different stocks and find out what is ideal for your physical build and talk to him about the best barrel profile for intended use and Caliber.
 
What chambering and what's your intended purpose?


The cartridge will be a 300 norma mag (improved), I will be using the rifle as a long range hunter and occasionally to attend a few 1000 yard f-class shoots. I know its going to be a thumper to shoot in f-class with the rifle weighing as little as I plan, but I won't be doing it too often and I will have a good shoulder pad, if I need it.


You mentioned the A4 and T4, ... I only ask because I have used them and the A4 doesn't work for me, and I don't like it. .... I'd run an A5 with no adjustable anything.


I live in a generally shooting deprived area, I don't have the chace to try any stocks before purchasing them and having them mailed here. I have used a factory rem sendaro before and I found its verticle grip much more natural than the typical sporters stocks. I had selected the A4 & T4 because the fore and aft sections of stock run parallel to the bore, as opposed to the tapered forend of the A5. . . . I thought that might be helpful for target shooting, but I see that the A5 does have a wider lower forend...so...its a toss up.

Since you have used both, could you verify one thing for me. McMillan lists the A5's drop at comb as only 1/4" while it lists the A4's as 1.4" > They look identical in the pictures on thier site; so is there actually that much difference or is that a typo?
 
I'd say its a typo. I don't have an A4 in house anymore. I remember the grips to be about the same and the combs felt the around the same height too. The clubbish forend of the A4 is what doesn't work for me. I guess that's why we have so many to choose from, it's not a one size fits all.

If you post up where you are located you might find someone close by to let you try their stocks out in person. Most guys are very helpful in that regard.
 
Why not go to the place you plan on shooting F class and talk to those guys about who is building their guns and see if any one has the stocks you are looking at.
I highly recommend you try some stocks out before you commit to the buy
the amount of money they cost you do not want to end up with something that you might regret.
BTW what kind of actions are you looking at?
 
Why not go to the place you plan on shooting F class and talk to those guys about who is building their guns and see if any one has the stocks you are looking at.
I highly recommend you try some stocks out before you commit to the buy
the amount of money they cost you do not want to end up with something that you might regret.
BTW what kind of actions are you looking at?

McMillian will take back any stock you buy, I would suggest you order a couple off the self's if they have it in your style and see if you like the fit/feel. you can always send them back and then have yours made. Granted there is some extra time involved but were also talking $500+.

The guys at Manners can add a little more material to raise the comb on their stocks, they are willing to go the extra mile, also with the 90% carbon wrap you may end up with a bit lighter stock. My choice for a hunter/tactical stock would be the MCS-T3 it a great fit for me when shooting off hand/prone/table using bags. You will find the grip more tactical in feeling the the HS stock and a nice wide fore end.
 
McMillian will take back any stock you buy, I would suggest you order a couple off the self's if they have it in your style and see if you like the fit/feel. you can always send them back and then have yours made. Granted there is some extra time involved but were also talking $500+.

The guys at Manners can add a little more material to raise the comb on their stocks, they are willing to go the extra mile, also with the 90% carbon wrap you may end up with a bit lighter stock. My choice for a hunter/tactical stock would be the MCS-T3 it a great fit for me when shooting off hand/prone/table using bags. You will find the grip more tactical in feeling the the HS stock and a nice wide fore end.

lightbulb
There you go I honestly never really thought about doing that I never needed to because I have access to different MCM stuff locally but that works haha.

Does Manners do the same?
They have some really cool options if they will take back what ever I order I might just try some out for my self.:)
 
Give Thomas Manners a call, he's a VERY nice guy. I've ran some of his stocks and liked them well enough, what led me back to McMillan was the Gelcoat finish. I'm just not a fan of painted stocks if I have a choice....personal preference again. LOL.
 
my buddy is in the same boat as you are... heavy barreled rifle build and wanting a light weight stock. If you want really really light and strong go with a Lone Wolf. you will be paying for it though, probably $650-900. MPI makes a light thumbhole out of carbon fiber, I actually have one that is unfinished and inletted for Rem 700 bdl long action that i might consider selling... MPI originally made the carbon fiber stocks for Christensen Arms but now they are made in house. Thats the route my buddy took was the finished stock from Christ. Arms $650 very light weight and high cheek piece... spent a lot of time looking at stocks for my buddy and i have mcmillans and haven't shot a Manners but held a few. I believe the manners is overbuilt, how often do you decide to drive over your gun with your truck. i like the thumhole MCS-GAT design but even with the 90% shell it is not light enough for me. Mcmillan makes the edge stocks that are fairly light but quite plain. Mcmillans are tough and proven. i have a Mcmillan winchester marksman and thought i would makek my own adjustable cheek piece so i cut a $480 stock and made it come out good but added weight doing it ... if you have to have an adjustable cheek buy the shell style adj cheek from shawn carlock at Defensive Edge (lightweight and lots of adjustment and easy solution).

PM me if you maybe interested in the carbon fiber thumbhole i have.
 
Lonewolf makes many variations and weight, the Howler is there thumbhole. Summit is sporter straight comb 16-22oz, more if you add comb,palm swell. Around 700 that pillars and bed.kevlar glass comp.
 
Look at the McMillan A3 Sporter stock with the Edge Package. It is extremely lightweight and Feels great. They don't have it on the Website yet but google it and you will find it on the net. I have a A3 Sporter with a #4 fluted Pac-nor, Pierce Action and a 4.5-14x50 LR Leupold and the whole shebang weights 8lbs 4 ounces.
 
Greybull Precision Stocks are really nice if ur looking for a happy medium between tactical and hunting. Check um out. I have them on all my long range rigs. I am guessing ur working with a Rem 700?
 
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