Help me fix my HNT26

tsovern · Feb 24, 2024

My particular HNT26 twists and flexes like mad on the tripod and bipod. It shows at the reticle and target.
It seems to me like the forend itself is rigid enough, the connection to chassis seems to be most of the issue. I've considered epoxying it permanently if I could figure out good way to remove BA when needed. Almost certainly that would require some material removal from the forend " bridge".
Anyone tried this or have another solution ?

Maurygold · Feb 24, 2024

100000% do not bond your action to that chassis. its highly highly unlikely to fix whatever is going on and will cluster fuck the solution

tsovern · Feb 24, 2024

Sorry, I mean bonding the forend to the chassis, not the ba.

Lost_Phil · Feb 24, 2024

Before you do anything to your HNT26 stock, I would contact MDT and let them know what the issue is that you are having and see what they say. They have pretty good customer service and will generally go out of their way to help you.

tsovern · Feb 24, 2024

Lost_Phil said:
Before you do anything to your HNT26 stock, I would contact MDT and let them know what the issue is that you are having and see what they say. They have pretty good customer service and will generally go out of their way to help you.

My understanding is it's the nature of the beast. Totally acceptable to some, possibly unnoticed by others.

Lost_Phil · Feb 24, 2024

Tsovern said:
My understanding is it's the nature of the beast. Totally acceptable to some, possibly unnoticed by others.

I would think that the forend being made of Cabon Fiber would not have much flexibility. I would measure the flat part with the M-Lock slots and see if Area 419 has an Arca rail that you could attach to stiffen it up better.

redneckbmxer24 · Feb 24, 2024

You should be able to get your barreled action out with the handguard in by tilting it up enough to clear the trigger and then sliding it back. I’ve done it multiple times.

264win · Feb 24, 2024

If it’s “twisting and flexing like mad” I would definitely suggest something is wrong.
Perhaps post up some pics here to help identify what’s going on.

Thump_rrr · Feb 24, 2024

Does yours have the forend with the built in ARCA rail?

tsovern · Feb 24, 2024

redneckbmxer24 said:
You should be able to get your barreled action out with the handguard in by tilting it up enough to clear the trigger and then sliding it back. I’ve done it multiple times.

My BnA trigger won't clear w m24 barrel. But I think shaving the bridge a bit would get it.

tsovern · Feb 24, 2024

264win said:
If it’s “twisting and flexing like mad” I would definitely suggest something is wrong.
Perhaps post up some pics here to help identify what’s going on.

Not sure how I would capture it.

tsovern · Feb 24, 2024

Thump_rrr said:
Does yours have the forend with the built in ARCA rail?

It's arca.

KDE Customs · Nov 4, 2024

I just came across this post, so I am wondering if you have had any luck fixing the flex of the carbon forearm?

We have the same issue with to much flex. The reticle can be torqued left and right as well as up and down 10-12 moa off target.

308pirate · Nov 4, 2024

tsovern said:
My understanding is it's the nature of the beast. Totally acceptable to some, possibly unnoticed by others.

Did MDT tell you that or are you assuming based on what you've heard?

gearguywb · Nov 4, 2024

I had a PRC in one of the chassis and was very impressed with it. I did not notice any movement. Of course I was not putting it in a vise and trying to twist the he!! Out of it either (I can imagine how you could see it twist 10-12 MOA without doing something like that)

tsovern · Nov 4, 2024

KDE Customs said:
I just came across this post, so I am wondering if you have had any luck fixing the flex of the carbon forearm?

We have the same issue with to much flex. The reticle can be torqued left and right as well as up and down 10-12 moa off target.

I haven't.

tsovern · Nov 4, 2024

308pirate said:
Did MDT tell you that or are you assuming based on what you've heard?

No, MDT didn't tell me anything. It just seemed not to be an issue for the majority. I may have unreasonable expectations. Or not.

Emerson0311 · Nov 4, 2024

When you clamp other chassis into your tripod are they much solider than the HNT26?

tsovern · Nov 4, 2024

Yes. As well as off the bipod .

762 ULTRAMAGA · Nov 5, 2024

I've heard similar feedback when clamping into a tripod, this is the main reason I decided to go with the XLR.

308pirate · Nov 5, 2024

tsovern said:
No, MDT didn't tell me anything.

It figures. The first thing you should have done was to ask them about the problem you're having.

roostercogburn98 · Nov 5, 2024

Pretty sure there are MDT peeps here. Let’s see what they have to say?

@MDT_Josh
@MDT_OFFICIAL

tsovern · Nov 5, 2024

308pirate said:
It figures. The first thing you should have done was to ask them about the problem you're having.

Why? At the time I was the only one w complaint. There's nothing defective w my example. The design flexes too much for me. It appears that I'm by far in the minority. I see my choices as three:
1. Sell it.
2. Fix it.
3. Live w it as is.
I do appreciate your well thought out and helpful input.

308pirate · Nov 5, 2024

tsovern said:
Why? At the time I was the only one w complaint. There's nothing defective w my example. The design flexes too much for me. It appears that I'm by far in the minority. I see my choices as three:
1. Sell it.
2. Fix it.
3. Live w it as is.
I do appreciate your well thought out and helpful input.

Are you seriously asking why?

Let me help you:
A) The manufacturer might actually be able to help you better than anyone else.
B) The manufacturer might actually want to know about a dissatisfied customer so they can maybe improve their product.

JFC

Secant · Nov 5, 2024

I use my HNT26 on a tripod all the time, and I don’t experience anything close to what’s described in this thread. MDT is very responsive. One phone call or email 8 months ago would’ve gone a long way.

MDT_Josh · Nov 5, 2024

roostercogburn98 said:
Pretty sure there are MDT peeps here. Let’s see what they have to say?

@MDT_Josh
@MDT_OFFICIAL

Thanks for the tag! Unfortunately I have bad news as this is the Achilles heels of the HNT-26 in it's current design and a byproduct of making it as light as it is. Personally, I switched away from the HNT for NRL Hunter because of this reason and we have been working on multiple solutions for the past few years.

Time for the good(ish) news! We have multiple avenues to solve this flex/bounce/instability, however none of them can be easily retrofit to the existing design. We'll be making a rolling design update on the HNT's (which will help), releasing a new product in the short term future (which will be a semi-permanent solution), then most likely working on a second generation of this chassis in the mid-long term future.

Sorry that I don't have better news for you right now, but this is an issue we are tracking and actively working to resolve ASAP.

- Josh

st1650 · Nov 5, 2024

MDT_Josh said:
Thanks for the tag! Unfortunately I have bad news as this is the Achilles heels of the HNT-26 in it's current design and a byproduct of making it as light as it is. Personally, I switched away from the HNT for NRL Hunter because of this reason and we have been working on multiple solutions for the past few years.

Time for the good(ish) news! We have multiple avenues to solve this flex/bounce/instability, however none of them can be easily retrofit to the existing design. We'll be making a rolling design update on the HNT's (which will help), releasing a new product in the short term future (which will be a semi-permanent solution), then most likely working on a second generation of this chassis in the mid-long term future.

Sorry that I don't have better news for you right now, but this is an issue we are tracking and actively working to resolve ASAP.

- Josh

Will HNT26 owners be able to send their chassis for this update ? For me it’s unusable on anything bigger than a 223 or subsonic.

roostercogburn98 · Nov 5, 2024

MDT_Josh said:
Thanks for the tag! Unfortunately I have bad news as this is the Achilles heels of the HNT-26 in it's current design and a byproduct of making it as light as it is. Personally, I switched away from the HNT for NRL Hunter because of this reason and we have been working on multiple solutions for the past few years.

Time for the good(ish) news! We have multiple avenues to solve this flex/bounce/instability, however none of them can be easily retrofit to the existing design. We'll be making a rolling design update on the HNT's (which will help), releasing a new product in the short term future (which will be a semi-permanent solution), then most likely working on a second generation of this chassis in the mid-long term future.

Sorry that I don't have better news for you right now, but this is an issue we are tracking and actively working to resolve ASAP.

- Josh

Your welocme(I reckon)? I just hate to see good companies get bagged on without any real representation or opportunity to fend for themselves.

MDT_Josh · Nov 5, 2024

st1650 said:
Will HNT26 owners be able to send their chassis for this update ? For me it’s unusable on anything bigger than a 223 or subsonic.

Unfortunately we don't have a program set up for this , however, if you have just bought this chassis, we do have a 30-day return policy for a full refund!

roostercogburn98 said:
Your welocme(I reckon)? I just hate to see good companies get bagged on without any real representation or opportunity to fend for themselves.

Appreciated and that is why I try to stay active here as much as possible

- Josh

FNG1001 · Nov 5, 2024

this is good to know.

carbonbased · Nov 5, 2024

MDT_Josh said:
Thanks for the tag! Unfortunately I have bad news as this is the Achilles heels of the HNT-26 in it's current design and a byproduct of making it as light as it is. Personally, I switched away from the HNT for NRL Hunter because of this reason and we have been working on multiple solutions for the past few years.

Time for the good(ish) news! We have multiple avenues to solve this flex/bounce/instability, however none of them can be easily retrofit to the existing design. We'll be making a rolling design update on the HNT's (which will help), releasing a new product in the short term future (which will be a semi-permanent solution), then most likely working on a second generation of this chassis in the mid-long term future.

Sorry that I don't have better news for you right now, but this is an issue we are tracking and actively working to resolve ASAP.

- Josh

MDT_Josh said:
Unfortunately we don't have a program set up for this , however, if you have just bought this chassis, we do have a 30-day return policy for a full refund!

I don’t own one of your chassis, so no dog in this, uh, discussion? (there’s no fight, obv)

Just so I understand: MDT sold a chassis that some percentage of have unreasonable flex. And…you still sell this chassis? Presumably with some still being overly flexy?

And you won’t take them back past 30 days to fix (too hard to retrofit) or exchange for some other chassis?

I assume this is the chassis in question. Doesn’t appear to mention any flex, but perhaps I’ve missed it.

HNT26 Chassis System

The first purpose-built hunting chassis from MDT. Weighing in starting at 26oz (for chassis stock, buttstock, forend and pistol grip combined), this is the most ultra-light hunting rifle chassis on the market.

mdttac.com

Supersubes · Nov 5, 2024

carbonbased said:
I don’t own one of your chassis, so no dog in this, uh, discussion? (there’s no fight, obv)

Just so I understand: MDT sold a chassis that some percentage of have unreasonable flex. And…you still sell this chassis? Presumably with some still being overly flexy?

And you won’t take them back past 30 days to fix (too hard to retrofit) or exchange for some other chassis?

I assume this is the chassis in question. Doesn’t appear to mention any flex, but perhaps I’ve missed it.

HNT26 Chassis System

The first purpose-built hunting chassis from MDT. Weighing in starting at 26oz (for chassis stock, buttstock, forend and pistol grip combined), this is the most ultra-light hunting rifle chassis on the market.

mdttac.com

You're reading into this too much i think. Its an ultra light weight chassis. To the OP, all of the HNT 26 chassis would be too flexy. To many people, including me, they’re just fine. MDT is working on the design to make it more rigid moving forward.

MDT_Josh · Nov 5, 2024

carbonbased said:
I don’t own one of your chassis, so no dog in this, uh, discussion? (there’s no fight, obv)

Just so I understand: MDT sold a chassis that some percentage of have unreasonable flex. And…you still sell this chassis? Presumably with some still being overly flexy?

And you won’t take them back past 30 days to fix (too hard to retrofit) or exchange for some other chassis?

I assume this is the chassis in question. Doesn’t appear to mention any flex, but perhaps I’ve missed it.

HNT26 Chassis System

The first purpose-built hunting chassis from MDT. Weighing in starting at 26oz (for chassis stock, buttstock, forend and pistol grip combined), this is the most ultra-light hunting rifle chassis on the market.

mdttac.com

As @Supersubes said, it's more of a perception thing than a functional issue. All of the HNT-26 chassis that we have sold have had the same level of forend flex due to the design of the interface. For some people accustomed to a one piece stock or a very rigid chassis, this will be noticeable, however, it is a tradeoff of the weight savings that we have accomplished. If you are coming from a background of ultralight products and factory stocks, then the flex is less noticeable and more normalized.

Not being a company to sit on our laurels and accept mediocrity, we are trying to find ways to improve forend rigidity, keep the weight the same or lower it and provide the customer with the best system possible. After a few years of HNT-26 production, we've learned a lot and will build off of that knowledge for the currently released CRBN stock, as well as future products!

- Josh

Secant · Nov 5, 2024

After MDTs response, I reread this thread and then had to recheck this out. I had an MDT HNT26, Manners EH-1 (with arca), KRG W3, KRG X-Ray, and MDT ACC elite handy as well as an RRS with Anvil30 head.

I’ll say that as a standard practice, I look to establish proper NPA regardless of bipod, clipped in tripod, or bag on tripod/prop/etc, as I’m sure most/all do. When clipped into my tripod, if I really try torque’ing the rifle, I can get about 4mil(ish) of “flex” from all setups, which can be seen as movement of the ballhead - ballhead lock is fully engaged. In real life, if I need that much movement, I unlock the tripod or reposition the rifle. For me, I’m not seeing the issue that is being described. Maybe I’m missing it. I also clip in at the balance point, which is close to magwell.

I will say that I had an out of spec forend initially with my HNT26, and that was noticeably underperforming. Maybe that is a contributing factor for some. Maybe their ballhead, tripod, or bipod are also contributing factors?? Maybe they are clipping in at forend tip for some reason?

I’d have no issues buying another HNT26 at this point, even given MDTs response.

st1650 · Nov 5, 2024

Ehhh yes and no
The design and the way the forearm attaches with these 2 tiny tiny t15 screws, on an ultra lightweight high recoiling setup, eventually they will loosen and flex more … even with blue loctite.

Obviously the HNT26 with the way it attaches the forend will never be as strong as a 1 piece manners LRH.

It’s still a good chassis for its weight, great ergos but my lightweight hunting rifles go in XLR Element 4 and MPA ultralite - the weight difference is negligible and they’re definitely easier to shoot for higher recoiling calibers.
I do prefer the carbon fiber over aluminum so I’m looking forward to a stronger Gen 2 HNT26 … for now it’s a great host for my 6lbs 18in 204ruger coyote gun.

KDE Customs · Nov 5, 2024

Josh,
Thanks for the update.
We love the chassis except for the flex. Wouldn’t mind a little more weight if it eliminates the flex, or reduces it. Everything else about the chassis is great.
Can’t wait for the next generation though and I’m sure we will be buying them also.

Thanks for your time and again for the update information.

KDE Customs · Nov 5, 2024

Love the looks of it.

johnjohn301 · Nov 5, 2024

Instead of epoxying the forend permanently (which could complicate things later), you should look for adjustable connectors or clamps that can provide a tighter fit without permanently altering the forend.
You'll be able to maintain the ability to remove the BA when needed.

carbonbased · Nov 5, 2024

MDT_Josh said:
As @Supersubes said, it's more of a perception thing than a functional issue. All of the HNT-26 chassis that we have sold have had the same level of forend flex due to the design of the interface. For some people accustomed to a one piece stock or a very rigid chassis, this will be noticeable, however, it is a tradeoff of the weight savings that we have accomplished. If you are coming from a background of ultralight products and factory stocks, then the flex is less noticeable and more normalized.

Not being a company to sit on our laurels and accept mediocrity, we are trying to find ways to improve forend rigidity, keep the weight the same or lower it and provide the customer with the best system possible. After a few years of HNT-26 production, we've learned a lot and will build off of that knowledge for the currently released CRBN stock, as well as future products!

- Josh

Ok, the group here sounds generally ok with this. And since I don’t even own the thing, I’ll roll with it. You seem like a reasonable fellow.

tsovern · Nov 5, 2024

I'm not ok w it.

trob · Nov 5, 2024

Soldier Mountain Arms developed a ‘HNT26 Fix’ this year. Sounds like it addresses the issues described. It should come from mdt without needing a fix, with what they cost. I don’t have one, so this is just a FYI

wpeach1912 · Nov 5, 2024

$100 and it’ll be fixed with that SMA kit ^

tsovern · Nov 6, 2024

Holy shit, thanks trob!

st1650 · Nov 6, 2024

trob said:
Soldier Mountain Arms developed a ‘HNT26 Fix’ this year. Sounds like it addresses the issues described. It should come from mdt without needing a fix, with what they cost. I don’t have one, so this is just a FYI

View attachment 8540056

MDT should make these under license from SMA and sell them as an upgrade.

Baron23 · Nov 6, 2024

MDT_Josh said:
Thanks for the tag! Unfortunately I have bad news as this is the Achilles heels of the HNT-26 in it's current design and a byproduct of making it as light as it is. Personally, I switched away from the HNT for NRL Hunter because of this reason and we have been working on multiple solutions for the past few years.

Time for the good(ish) news! We have multiple avenues to solve this flex/bounce/instability, however none of them can be easily retrofit to the existing design. We'll be making a rolling design update on the HNT's (which will help), releasing a new product in the short term future (which will be a semi-permanent solution), then most likely working on a second generation of this chassis in the mid-long term future.

Sorry that I don't have better news for you right now, but this is an issue we are tracking and actively working to resolve ASAP.

- Josh

I love the honest reaction. Respect to you and MDT.

tsovern · Nov 6, 2024

st1650 said:
MDT should make these under license from SMA and sell them as an upgrade.

Lol... fuck no. I'll be paying SMA directly.

st1650 · Nov 6, 2024

tsovern said:
Lol... fuck no. I'll be paying SMA directly.

Sure but they barely have any in stock and very few MDT customers are even aware of this product.

FNG1001 · Nov 6, 2024

carbonbased said:
I don’t own one of your chassis, so no dog in this, uh, discussion? (there’s no fight, obv)

Just so I understand: MDT sold a chassis that some percentage of have unreasonable flex. And…you still sell this chassis? Presumably with some still being overly flexy?

And you won’t take them back past 30 days to fix (too hard to retrofit) or exchange for some other chassis?

I assume this is the chassis in question. Doesn’t appear to mention any flex, but perhaps I’ve missed it.

HNT26 Chassis System

The first purpose-built hunting chassis from MDT. Weighing in starting at 26oz (for chassis stock, buttstock, forend and pistol grip combined), this is the most ultra-light hunting rifle chassis on the market.

mdttac.com

Very succinct, and it's how I interpreted it as well.

I was going to pick up an HNT26 but, after reading the details in this thread, I'll be looking at Manners and XLR.

308pirate · Nov 6, 2024

st1650 said:
Sure but they barely have any in stock and very few MDT customers are even aware of this product.

Some people are clueless about business

Supersubes · Nov 6, 2024

FNG1001 said:
Very succinct, and it's how I interpreted it as well.

I was going to pick up an HNT26 but, after reading the details in this thread, I'll be looking at Manners and XLR.

I wouldn’t skip it so fast unless youre just not interested in light weight. Manner’s doesn't make a stock to compete with this, and the XLR has nowhere near the refinement in shape the HNT does. The mag sticks out, every single edge is square, it hit every branch falling out of the ugly tree, and you’ll pay the same high price for it. I’m skeptical that its meaningfully stiffer as well, but I've never played with one on a tripod, so I’ll let someone else opine on that

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