A good way to compare stocks and chassis?

[Jackomason]

With so many options with both stocks and chassis its easy to get lost in the mix. On that note I dont have many chances to handle other peoples precision rifles. How do you weigh your options before deciding what you want? What are the deal brakers you look for? How much is subjective and how much is objective?

I intend to make the drive a couple times a year to attend some "loacal" matches. But 90% of my shooting is field/coyote hunting.

Im considering the Manners T4a, MPA BA lite and the MDT ess.

At this point I really like the ess but I dont have the finances to be changing things up all the time if I make the wrong decision. Would I be best off buying a budget chassis and attening local matches?

I dont nessisarily want to hear what to choose but how to choose.

 

[jojotheclown]

I'm in the same situation. Basically the answer has been "attend local matches". Additionally, when I posted something similar here, there were several great hide members that offered to meet up and show me a few of the models I was interested in.

 

[IDbound]

I think maybe it is just an issue that spending extra money makes one "think" he has better equipment. For example, I had a Savage Stealth that shot perfectly fine. But the internet buzz was that if you didn't buy a Tikka Tac A1, you just could not be a serious shooter. I obliged and made the upgrade but haven't "yet" got it to shoot as good as the Savage. Now I see where people buy a Tikka rifle just to throw away the stock or chassis to buy a fancier chassis. I am beginning to wonder how much of this upgrading is just "head games". I can't really talk because I enjoy playing!!

 

[Jackomason]

I think maybe it is just an issue that spending extra money makes one "think" he has better equipment. For example, I had a Savage Stealth that shot perfectly fine. But the internet buzz was that if you didn't buy a Tikka Tac A1, you just could not be a serious shooter. I obliged and made the upgrade but haven't "yet" got it to shoot as good as the Savage. Now I see where people buy a Tikka rifle just to throw away the stock or chassis to buy a fancier chassis. I am beginning to wonder how much of this upgrading is just "head games". I can't really talk because I enjoy playing!!

Ive had accuarcy many times, but accuracy is cheap now. I guess its like horse power, its the fancy car that has better handling, and thats what Im after. Ive never been too interested in cheap guns but id really like to build a gun that wont limit me and Id like to minimize any failures. So ive picked up a bighorn origin and put a barrel i can trust on it. Now Im ready to get a well rounded stock or chassis that wont hold me back. I get what your saying but thats just not how I think. And somewhere in this game there is a method to the madness. I shoot by myself alot so I dont have anyone to impress...

 

[kRcu]

I would bet most chassis companies would let you return a chassis after handling it. I’ve known what does and doesn’t work without even firing anything. Some stocks/chassis just don’t have the fit or feel I’m looking for. I’d happily be out a shipping charge or two vs. getting stuck with something I hate.

Only other thing would be to attend a match. You don’t need to shoot to attend either, so don’t feel like you need to throw something together to be able to go.

 

[mckchome]

With so many options with both stocks and chassis its easy to get lost in the mix. On that note I dont have many chances to handle other peoples precision rifles. How do you weigh your options before deciding what you want? What are the deal brakers you look for? How much is subjective and how much is objective?

I intend to make the drive a couple times a year to attend some "loacal" matches. But 90% of my shooting is field/coyote hunting.

Im considering the Manners T4a, MPA BA lite and the MDT ess.

At this point I really like the ess but I dont have the finances to be changing things up all the time if I make the wrong decision. Would I be best off buying a budget chassis and attening local matches?

I dont nessisarily want to hear what to choose but how to choose.

This is a really good question. Here are a few thoughts:

- visit local matches if you can, and if you don't have a rifle volunteer to help run the range and check out equipment as the day passes.
- chassis are so mainstream now, that you can find some of them in stores like Cabelas on the Ruger PR, Mossberg's PR, Remingtons--you get the idea. Get behind some of those and compare them to more traditional stocks. That might help answer the big question, stock or chassis?
- Make a list of priorities in a stock, using criteria that can be seen "on paper": weight, material (fiberglass, polymer, aluminum), modularity (what do you want to be able to adjust?), compatibility with your barreled action. Rank these according to significance and then line them up on a spreadsheet. At the very least, you'll be able to see where you're making compromises, etc.
- Like you, I'm about 90% hunting (mostly coyotes and then also deer, antelope, etc., but I coyote hunt year round). I try to walk into my stands a pretty good distance and so I don't like having a 15 lbs rifle in my Eberlestock. Nor do I like having such a rifle that isn't easily moved around in case the coyote comes from a direction I don't expect.
- Concealment: If you're hunting coyotes then you may want to consider things like: (1) how well does it conceal? (2) is it a "noisy" chassis? For instance, while I like my McCrees precision chassis for competition, I hate it as a hunting chassis beacuse the aluminum material makes too much noise if another piece of equipment rubs against it or scrapes it.

I hope this helps. I've been through quite a few stocks and chassis options and would be happy to talk more. PM me.

 

[Jackomason]

This is a really good question. Here are a few thoughts:

- visit local matches if you can, and if you don't have a rifle volunteer to help run the range and check out equipment as the day passes.
- chassis are so mainstream now, that you can find some of them in stores like Cabelas on the Ruger PR, Mossberg's PR, Remingtons--you get the idea. Get behind some of those and compare them to more traditional stocks. That might help answer the big question, stock or chassis?
- Make a list of priorities in a stock, using criteria that can be seen "on paper": weight, material (fiberglass, polymer, aluminum), modularity (what do you want to be able to adjust?), compatibility with your barreled action. Rank these according to significance and then line them up on a spreadsheet. At the very least, you'll be able to see where you're making compromises, etc.
- Like you, I'm about 90% hunting (mostly coyotes and then also deer, antelope, etc., but I coyote hunt year round). I try to walk into my stands a pretty good distance and so I don't like having a 15 lbs rifle in my Eberlestock. Nor do I like having such a rifle that isn't easily moved around in case the coyote comes from a direction I don't expect.
- Concealment: If you're hunting coyotes then you may want to consider things like: (1) how well does it conceal? (2) is it a "noisy" chassis? For instance, while I like my McCrees precision chassis for competition, I hate it as a hunting chassis beacuse the aluminum material makes too much noise if another piece of equipment rubs against it or scrapes it.

I hope this helps. I've been through quite a few stocks and chassis options and would be happy to talk more. PM me.

You hit the nail on the head, thank you. Thinking back to feel as far as initial impression goes i tend to lean towards a slimmer profile. I remeber handling a christensen MPR and loved the control vs something like the old remington/HS precision combos that were on the shelves when I worked at cabelas back in the day. So much has changed...

Well maybe id better just put pen to paper and start writing and see what comes to mind.

Edit: Ill also heed the advice and go to some local matches, that should save me $$ in the long run.

 

[mckchome]

You hit the nail on the head, thank you. Thinking back to feel as far as initial impression goes i tend to lean towards a slimmer profile. I remeber handling a christensen MPR and loved the control vs something like the old remington/HS precision combos that were on the shelves when I worked at cabelas back in the day. So much has changed...

Well maybe id better just put pen to paper and start writing and see what comes to mind.

Edit: Ill also heed the advice and go to some local matches, that should save me $$ in the long run.

Since you're a coyote guy too, also consider how you support the rifle in a stand (tripid, shooting sticks, bipod) as the answer to this question may influence whether you want a flat or rounded hand guard. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[Olen_4504]

this is why i wanted to start a precision rental company. ( i actually did try, but its EXPENSIVE to start out)

rent scopes

rent chassis's

rent XYZ.

if you like it, buy a BNIB and return the "rental". i'll include the rental cost off the sale price. you don't like it - send it back. you are only out <$100 on a $800-2000 chassis.

 

[mckchome]

this is why i wanted to start a precision rental company. ( i actually did try, but its EXPENSIVE to start out)

rent scopes

rent chassis's

rent XYZ.

if you like it, buy a BNIB and return the "rental". i'll include the rental cost off the sale price. you don't like it - send it back. you are only out <$100 on a $800-2000 chassis.

That is an interesting idea--capital intensive for sure--but probably appreciated by some. There is an analogous business in lens/camera rentals. The companies literally own $10 + lenses and they rent them out for some $60-100 per day. Of course, you have to put down a significant deposit. Even the most expensive chassis is < $5k, so the model may be workable. Plus you could make a heck of a YouTube review channel with all that equipment at your disposal!

 

[Jackomason]

I think the growth and activity on snipers hide gives a decent indication that the market would be good but it makes you wonder how good it needs to be? How many guys actually want the best equipemt and would rent? Good thoughts. Id be on your customer list!