I'm going to have my first precision rifle built soon and I'm trying to decide on something like an A5 stock or a chassis style like XLR. It's going to be a Stiller tactical .338 action. What are pros and cons of each and what should the main deciding factor be? Thanks
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conventional stock vs chassis?
- Thread starter BruteNasty
- Start date
You should really try and get behind both before you decide, and if possible, do some shooting behind each. I have been shooting an A5 for a couple of years now. After getting behind a Mcree and shooting behind it a little bit, I realized the Mcree fit me better and was more comfortable for me. So, I think the A5 is going up for sale to fund a Mcree chassis. It all depends on what you shoot better.
Manners will send you a demo of what you wanna try to feel. I wanted a chassis, and am on waiting list for new krg xray for 5R, but after being behind the AICS (shooting) I fell in love with it. I got 1.5 just because not $200 worth folding out of the way to clean, but it is more "Tacticool". But I like weight for my Match guns, so I can spot splash, and see vapor trails. Didn't want the XLR because I didn't wanna cut my rail to put on. I'd say AICS, or Mcree, but I do love the KRG W3.
The main deciding factor should be whichever one you are most comfortable behind. If you can shoot a couple rifles that have the stocks and chassis you are looking at, then that would be better.
Just a heads up: I wasted a lot of time figuring out that I just can't do pistol grip on a bolt gun - the transition between closing the bolt and wrapping the thumb under and over is very awkward.
Skip to about 1:10 ....
XLR Evolution rifle stock review - YouTube
Skip to about 1:10 ....
XLR Evolution rifle stock review - YouTube
Adding to the collective wisdom, you need to try it to see if you like it. I am 100% a chassis guy, have, or had, McRees, XLR, AICS, KRG just to name a few. All have there little quirks but all of them were comfortable for me to shoot and felt far more natural to me then a traditional stock. Out of the stocks I shot the Manners GAT was the most natural, but due to the TH design I couldn't shoot it weak side. I did try out the A5 and did like the feel but still prefer the chassis.
Other shooters, like MoBoost, prefer the feel of a stock and are less productive behind a chassis. So truth is you really need to shoot both.
Sully
Other shooters, like MoBoost, prefer the feel of a stock and are less productive behind a chassis. So truth is you really need to shoot both.
Sully
Also, Ive been reading that these chassis' do not need to be bedded? How to they fit (XLR for example) to the action as opposed to a conventional stock? Is it something that a pretty mechanically inclined person can do themself? Or does it still need to be taken to a gunsmith?
You literally torque two bolts. The action rests in a self-aligning V-block. No bedding or skill needed.
In my opinion all stocks need bedding.
You may have good results with just dropping the action is and torqueing it down, But I find that bedding them makes them more consistent rifle to rifle.
I look at the block as a good foundation to build on, and bedding it assures a perfect fit.
Also stock fit is very important as mentioned.
Just My opinion for what it's worth.
J E CUSTOM
You may have good results with just dropping the action is and torqueing it down, But I find that bedding them makes them more consistent rifle to rifle.
I look at the block as a good foundation to build on, and bedding it assures a perfect fit.
Also stock fit is very important as mentioned.
Just My opinion for what it's worth.
J E CUSTOM
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Just curious, but what is the main area your focusing on when skim bedding a chassis?? I'm just asking because Ive got several AICS's tha I have never gotten bedded and would be intrested in looking into it. Also what type epoxy would you recommend. I've bedded some bell and carlson's and one Mcmillan but never a chassis.
I do a full action bed to hold the action without any movement during heating up or cooling down.
I like to use Steel Bed or something similar like Devcon.
That seems to be the best for cold bore shot consistency.
A full bed also helps to prevent action flexing when torqued if a torque free bedding job is done on the bedding.
The only place I clearance is under the recoil lug on hunting rifles and on the sides of the recoil lug and bottom on target rifles that will be shot rapidly and heated up.
Just the way I like to do the bedding based on my experience's in over 50 years of shooting matches and hunting.
J E CUSTOM
I like to use Steel Bed or something similar like Devcon.
That seems to be the best for cold bore shot consistency.
A full bed also helps to prevent action flexing when torqued if a torque free bedding job is done on the bedding.
The only place I clearance is under the recoil lug on hunting rifles and on the sides of the recoil lug and bottom on target rifles that will be shot rapidly and heated up.
Just the way I like to do the bedding based on my experience's in over 50 years of shooting matches and hunting.
J E CUSTOM
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