vancewalker007
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2013
- Messages
- 990
Most of the less expensive stocks will be slightly heavier and have an aluminum bedded block setup. These stocks are off the shelf and do come with barrel channels to fit a small range of barrels. Some of them have enough material to be opened up to larger barrels some don't. If you have a standard length of pull, standard factory barrel contour, and don't mind the extra weight the B&C will be workable.So, I've looked at Hogue, Bell&Carlson, HS Precision, Manners and McMillan. These range from $200-$800....that is a huge range.
Every one of these have positive posts about shooting great groups(1/2"@100 or better). with skim bedding. Some have limited inlets.
Most will inlet for my Winchester 70 Classic post64 CRF long action with new 1 pc bottom metal or my 2pc bottom metal.
So, Hogue to B&C to.....what improvements will I see? All I really have set as musts are: rock solid bedding, durable finish, forearm fit up to a #3 contour, slightly raised or offset cheek piece(not Monte Carlo), grip similar to M70(not like Rigby or other open style), good grip texture/checkering, 14" lop, rounded forend, side mounted flush cups(gunsmith or factory install), kickeeze or Decelerator pad, durable finish and under 2.25 lbs weight.
With these requirements, the b&c looks pretty good....If not b&c, what & why?
The more expensive stocks like McMillan and Manners are going to give you every possible option to perfectly fit your barreled action and bottom metal and can be lighter weight. But, they will be more expensive. McMillan does sell some canned stocks that are less custom in the $500-$700 range off their website shop. So if you're building a custom rifle with say a Proof Sendero barrel contour and a Rem Clone of some sort these customs can be built to fit perfectly, where it would be a tough path with a canned stock. The custom makers also have the choices of carbon fiber or fiber glass, I think some of the canned stocks are now available in carbon fiber.
Grayboe makes a nice mid range cost stock.