Aftermarket Hunting Stocks

sroc112

sroc112

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 17, 2024
136
45
USA
#1
Been back and forth for some time now on which factory hunting rifle I want to purchase next. The next 2 rifles I want will be a 308 and a 300WM. Been eyeing a few different models by Weatherby, Tikka, and Remington. However, also considering purchasing a Howa barreled action off of Brownells and building it that route.

I would fit this build with a classic hunting style stock, and have so far been looking at McMillan and Bell & Carlson. However, I'm not overly versed in the aftermarket stock market for hunting style stocks so wanted to turn here to see if you all have any other manufacturers that I should be looking into.

This will be a rifle that is used as a range gun and a hunting rifle. Not super concerned about weight, as none of my hunting hikes will be too too deep into trails for the time being. I can handle a bit of the weight for the amount of hike time I'll have.
 
#4
For a blend of modern and classic, the Woox product line has a few good lookers. Depending on the hunting style though, the wood could be a drawback.

Woox Superleggera
superleggera-816295_2000x.jpg


Woox Wild Man
Wild-Man-Walnut-Dx_2000x.jpg


Woox Exactus
Exactus-Walnut-Dx_2000x.jpg
 
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#8
I had a couple Bell and carlson, got lucky with an M40 tikka stock that didn't require bedding. Had a savage that did. I now have an origin in a manners though. For super lightweight I don't think it can be beat as far as stiffness goes (stocks, not chassis). If weight isn't the biggest concern then there are plenty of good options already listed in this thread. Pick what looks the best or has the best price/availability.

Edit: depending what rifle you decide to go with will determine what stock maker you'll be able to use also. Tikka has good aftermarket support from a few, but not all. Weatherby and howa probably have less. Remington will obviously have the best choices.
 
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#9
I really do like some of the McMillan and Manners stocks, but I think due to budget on this build I will end up going with one of the B&C.

Question:
If I went with the barrel below, along with the model stock below, would it be as simple and dropping in and screwing in the action? Or is any additional trimming/bedding going to be needed? Trying to get an idea if I can do this myself or will need to drop off at a gunsmith for any reason.

www.brownells.com

HOWA Barreled Action Var Hvy Blue 308 24" #6 Threaded SKU: 100023948 | Brownells

Check out the HOWA Barreled Action Var Hvy Blue 308 24" #6 Threaded SKU: 100023948 available Online at Brownells Today and many more Rifle Receivers & Parts products are available in our Gun Parts Department.
www.brownells.com www.brownells.com

 
#10
In my experience, I was 50/50 for needing the stock bedded. The first one I bought tightened the groups up with no bedding necessary. The second one I bought I needed to bed it to see any improvements. If you're happy with group size already then there should be no bedding required. The stock will provide better ergonomics than a factory stock as well as being stiffer.
 
#11
HMRamateur said:
In my experience, I was 50/50 for needing the stock bedded. The first one I bought tightened the groups up with no bedding necessary. The second one I bought I needed to bed it to see any improvements. If you're happy with group size already then there should be no bedding required. The stock will provide better ergonomics than a factory stock as well as being stiffer.
Click to expand...
Is that referring to it as is, or assuming the stock gets properly bedded?
 
#14
I had emailed Bell & Carlson but no response as of yet. Wondering if anyone here may be able to help.

I ordered the barreled action that I posted a few posts up. I want the style stock of the model #6644 but that is a long action. Model #6550 is listed as short action, but the forend seems to be slightly different. Almost seems like it bumps out a bit half way down. Does anyone know if that is actually the case or if it just appears that way due to the design in the photo?

 

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#17
Is there any purpose to that bump out other than just different grip feeling? Added stability for heavy barrel, recoil, etc?

My other alternative is to maybe see if anything from McMillan goes on sale for the 4th. This is a budget build, trying to keep the stock under 500.
 
#20
I ordered a McMillan Hunters Edge Sendero in May, 43 days later it arrived, Ambush Carbon Sonoran, 2b barrel channel and weighs 23.3oz with pillars. I didn't snap a picture of it before I left for Kansas, but I really like it, takes the 6.5 PRC with a 24" barrel to 6.269lbs bare. Waiting for the bases to arrive
 
#24
B&C has a 10% sale for the 4th, ordered mine this a.m. I'll post a picture of the final assembled product toward end of month if anyone is interested.
 
#26
Well, here it is. Went with a B&C Weatherby style stock with a Howa Barreled Action, heavy varmint in 308. Shitty pics but I'll be at range Sunday so will take one of it on the bench outside.

It's exactly what I wanted, a budget build with a classic hunting style stock. Perfect for my 300yd home range. I know it's not as sophisticated or as expensive as most of the taste on this board, but it's fine by me : )
 

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#27
I do have a question though, as this is my first barreled action/stock build.

The barrel seems to sit a bit tighter on the left side, leaving more gap on the right. Is this normal/acceptable or is there an easy fix to it? A little hard to see in the Pic but it is more noticeable in person.
 

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#28
sroc112 said:
I do have a question though, as this is my first barreled action/stock build.

The barrel seems to sit a bit tighter on the left side, leaving more gap on the right. Is this normal/acceptable or is there an easy fix to it? A little hard to see in the Pic but it is more noticeable in person.
Click to expand...
If it is just a bit bigger of a gap but doesn't actually touch, I would just consider that acceptable for a more budget friendly stock. You could loosen the screws and see if it can be centered better before tightening again, but it might just end up in the same spot once tight. If it touches then that's not acceptable.
 
#29
Evintos said:
For a blend of modern and classic, the Woox product line has a few good lookers. Depending on the hunting style though, the wood could be a drawback.

Woox Superleggera
superleggera-816295_2000x.jpg


Woox Wild Man
Wild-Man-Walnut-Dx_2000x.jpg


Woox Exactus
Exactus-Walnut-Dx_2000x.jpg
Click to expand...
I've always liked accurate rifles, now I've outgrown the PRS game wanted to see a bit more wood. I'm kinda liking what Woox is doing with the combo wood and chassis. I've seen at least one major Co. is doing something similar . I like it a lot, even though Woox wood is very pleasant, it wood be even better for Woox to get some classier wood.
 
#30
Here are some better pics from the range today. Also, loosened up the action screws and realigned the barrel, tightened it back up, and fits perfectly in between the stock now. Problem solved
 

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#31
Sepearte question for yall on the topic of this rifle. It's my first 308 and also my first varmint style barrel. Yesterday was my first day out shooting this since it's been assembled. I went through 2 boxes of ammo on this trip (40 rounds). Was not my intention to burn through so much but took me quite a bit longer to get this zeroed in.

I started at the 100yd, then moved on to the 200, and then the 300. I shot from about 10am-12pm, took an hour break, and then shot again from 1pm to almost 2. Didn't really shoot more than 3-5 shot groups then let it cool for a few minutes.

So based on total rounds over that period of time, is that considered to be "too much" for 1 range trip on 1 gun? I don't usually put that much down one barrel, but since I was using this gun for the first time yesterday, it was the only one I brought with me.

What do yall average on a range session for a bolt gun? Any reason to be concerned for a first fire to have gone through as much as I did?
 
#32
sroc112 said:
Sepearte question for yall on the topic of this rifle. It's my first 308 and also my first varmint style barrel. Yesterday was my first day out shooting this since it's been assembled. I went through 2 boxes of ammo on this trip (40 rounds). Was not my intention to burn through so much but took me quite a bit longer to get this zeroed in.

I started at the 100yd, then moved on to the 200, and then the 300. I shot from about 10am-12pm, took an hour break, and then shot again from 1pm to almost 2. Didn't really shoot more than 3-5 shot groups then let it cool for a few minutes.

So based on total rounds over that period of time, is that considered to be "too much" for 1 range trip on 1 gun? I don't usually put that much down one barrel, but since I was using this gun for the first time yesterday, it was the only one I brought with me.

What do yall average on a range session for a bolt gun? Any reason to be concerned for a first fire to have gone through as much as I did?
Click to expand...
IMO that's fine.
Some people like to preserve barrel life and take it super easy.
Personally IDGAF. If I'm trying to fire form brass or settle in a barrel I can pretty easily burn 100 rounds in an afternoon. I usually keep it to a max of 10 shot strings and then let the barrel cool. I do sometimes use a barrel cooler to try and help out.

Barrels are consumables and if you ever shoot a match you have no option to care about barrel wear
 
#33
Another question for you all - Does it appear the the end of the action is seated correctly within the stock? Not sure if it's supposed to appear more like it's sitting on top of the edges of the stock or if it looks like it's pulled too deep inside? Sorry if I am not using correct terminology.
 

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#35
sroc112 said:
Another question for you all - Does it appear the the end of the action is seated correctly within the stock? Not sure if it's supposed to appear more like it's sitting on top of the edges of the stock or if it looks like it's pulled too deep inside? Sorry if I am not using correct terminology.
Click to expand...
I'd shoot it as is but just a few times because I am always impatient to get some powder burned in a new rifle. However, I'd also end up bedding it because my OCD would never allow all those little inconsistent lines where the action meets the stock.
 
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