Difference in durability or accuracy between +/- 1000k chassis?

[AyKay]

I am wondering if on chassis in the +/- $1000 range if their is going to be a difference in accuracy and durability of the platform between say between an XLR Chassis or a AC ACIS Chassis.
I really like the XLR's ability to add a short rail to the top for possible Nightvision at a later point. Has anyone tried the XLR 20 MOA Remington 700 SA Scope Base?

I am new to long ranger precision, so if I missed any important details please let me know:
One of these +/- 1k chassis will be going onto a Remy SPS 700 Varmint 26" Barrel rifle and I plan on putting a NightForce on and would like to max out in the 800-950 yard range. I want to make my best attempt at doing everything correct from the start and have been doing hours and days of research so far!
And yes, I did use the search engine...A lot.
Perhaps I am missing something or overlooking a more important aspect of my current mock build?


Thanks to any and all help!

 

[Andy27AL]

Both are great, as are many others. What really matters is how it fits you.

 

[bohem]

I will preface my statements with a comment:

Everything you're going to get here is an opinion from someone, in reality the product offerings out there that fit your receiver are all good and bad in some way. All of them work well to get the gun pointed in the right direction and this is evidenced by the numerous chassis systems on the market that are all doing well.

Now, for my feeling on chassis:

I really dislike them. I don't like shooting a bolt gun with an AR grip, so that immediately knocks out a large percentage of the chassis market for my use. I've owned an AICS 1.5, McCrees and spent a bunch of time behind Ashbury, XLR, AIAX, and a modicum of time behind the Eberlestock chassis and the new Rock Solid's. I have a Rock Solid in my garage for a buddy that wants me to drill and tap a new swivel stud into it. Built fine, just not the ergonomics that I like at all.

The ACIS 1.5 is the most tolerable and I'm not huge on it. I strongly prefer the more "traditional" stocks like a Manners T4, T2 & the McMillan A3, A5, A3-5, etc.

I write all of this to really say this:

Spending $1k+/- on a chassis without spending some time behind one is (IMO) a recipe to go through a number of iterations, each one with you buying the chassis and then reselling it for a 15-25% loss, buying another, etc. Some will get lucky early and like the chassis immediately, some won't. So, if at all possible, see if you can float around your local club or talk to guys that you know with chassis systems on their rifles and get a little F&F time on them before you buy something. There is a constant advice given with buying a carry pistol "Go try a bunch and see what you like first". That's tougher to do with a precision rifle chassis but it's entirely true here as well.

 

[Assault116]

I will preface my statements with a comment:

Everything you're going to get here is an opinion from someone, in reality the product offerings out there that fit your receiver are all good and bad in some way. All of them work well to get the gun pointed in the right direction and this is evidenced by the numerous chassis systems on the market that are all doing well.

Now, for my feeling on chassis:

I really dislike them. I don't like shooting a bolt gun with an AR grip, so that immediately knocks out a large percentage of the chassis market for my use. I've owned an AICS 1.5, McCrees and spent a bunch of time behind Ashbury, XLR, AIAX, and a modicum of time behind the Eberlestock chassis and the new Rock Solid's. I have a Rock Solid in my garage for a buddy that wants me to drill and tap a new swivel stud into it. Built fine, just not the ergonomics that I like at all.

The ACIS 1.5 is the most tolerable and I'm not huge on it. I strongly prefer the more "traditional" stocks like a Manners T4, T2 & the McMillan A3, A5, A3-5, etc.

I write all of this to really say this:

Spending $1k+/- on a chassis without spending some time behind one is (IMO) a recipe to go through a number of iterations, each one with you buying the chassis and then reselling it for a 15-25% loss, buying another, etc. Some will get lucky early and like the chassis immediately, some won't. So, if at all possible, see if you can float around your local club or talk to guys that you know with chassis systems on their rifles and get a little F&F time on them before you buy something. There is a constant advice given with buying a carry pistol "Go try a bunch and see what you like first". That's tougher to do with a precision rifle chassis but it's entirely true here as well.

^this is solid advice, thankfully for me, when in this situation I got behind an AICS (actually an almost identical rifle to what I built) and loved it, it's perfect for my wants/needs. That said, I'd never assume that what's perfect for me is perfect for anyone else. It is really your best bet to find what you like without spending a fortune to get there.

 

[AyKay]

Thanks for the advice, but I was really looking for answers to my questions as I have done about 75 hours of research in the past 3 weeks. I know this is nothing in the scheme of things, but did not see any threads talking about the question I listed here.
I like pistol grips so I do not see why this would be any different on a bolt gun.
Thanks for taking the time to reply and help me make a decision based on my wants.

 

[morganlamprecht]

I will preface my statements with a comment:

Everything you're going to get here is an opinion from someone, in reality the product offerings out there that fit your receiver are all good and bad in some way. All of them work well to get the gun pointed in the right direction and this is evidenced by the numerous chassis systems on the market that are all doing well.

Now, for my feeling on chassis:

I really dislike them. I don't like shooting a bolt gun with an AR grip, so that immediately knocks out a large percentage of the chassis market for my use. I've owned an AICS 1.5, McCrees and spent a bunch of time behind Ashbury, XLR, AIAX, and a modicum of time behind the Eberlestock chassis and the new Rock Solid's. I have a Rock Solid in my garage for a buddy that wants me to drill and tap a new swivel stud into it. Built fine, just not the ergonomics that I like at all.

The ACIS 1.5 is the most tolerable and I'm not huge on it. I strongly prefer the more "traditional" stocks like a Manners T4, T2 & the McMillan A3, A5, A3-5, etc.

I write all of this to really say this:

Spending $1k+/- on a chassis without spending some time behind one is (IMO) a recipe to go through a number of iterations, each one with you buying the chassis and then reselling it for a 15-25% loss, buying another, etc. Some will get lucky early and like the chassis immediately, some won't. So, if at all possible, see if you can float around your local club or talk to guys that you know with chassis systems on their rifles and get a little F&F time on them before you buy something. There is a constant advice given with buying a carry pistol "Go try a bunch and see what you like first". That's tougher to do with a precision rifle chassis but it's entirely true here as well.

from the other side...i love chassis systems and the AR style grips more than tranditional and have them on both my long range builds (and another comin soon in the KRG xray)...ive been behind the xlr, mcree, aics, whiskey 3, and the MDTs and they all feel great just small differences and features

but, i also agree 100% that you shouldnt drop $1k into a chassis if u have never been behind one...until u actually check them out u wont really know what u like

 

[AyKay]

If it matters I have been shooting nearly every week for the past 10+ years. I am a competive pistol shooter.
Not that this matters, but I am no FNG.

 

[strike33]

Thanks for the advice, but I was really looking for answers to my questions as I have done about 75 hours of research in the past 3 weeks. I know this is nothing in the scheme of things, but did not see any threads talking about the question I listed here.
I like pistol grips so I do not see why this would be any different on a bolt gun.
Thanks for taking the time to reply and help me make a decision based on my wants.

Well if you're looking for a direct answer.. then no. There will not be any accuracy differences in the well manufactured chassis.
These guys are just trying to save you some aggravation with their suggestions.
I have a Cadex and an AICS. there's a good $1,000+ difference between those two. I love the feel of the Cadex and very much dislike the AICS. You won't know until you are behind them.
All the top chassis are as durable as anyone needs them to be. Stick to the all aluminum ones if that is a huge concern. The chassis with carbon fiber may be a bit less durable if you plan on throwing it out of a helicopter or off a building

 

[The_FNG]

If it matters I have been shooting nearly every week for the past 10+ years. I am a competive pistol shooter.
Not that this matters, but I am no FNG.

Hello

 

[AyKay]

Well if you're looking for a direct answer.. then no. There will not be any accuracy differences in the well manufactured chassis.
These guys are just trying to save you some aggravation with their suggestions.
I have a Cadex and an AICS. there's a good $1,000+ difference between those two. I love the feel of the Cadex and very much dislike the AICS. You won't know until you are behind them.
All the top chassis are as durable as anyone needs them to be. Stick to the all aluminum ones if that is a huge concern. The chassis with carbon fiber may be a bit less durable if you plan on throwing it out of a helicopter or off a building

Thank you!

Hello

Howdy, brother.






Anyone tryed the XLR 20 moa mount for Remy SA?

 

[HumbleEinstein]

Thank you!



Howdy, brother.






Anyone tryed the XLR 20 moa mount for Remy SA?

I'm interested the answer to this question as well.

 

[JBM_DC]

Anything from XLR is good to go, there is no reason to believe otherwise. I now have 3 of their chassis and 1 of their scope bases.

 

[AyKay]

Thanks everyone for clearing up some questions I had. Now I need to keep on saving and researching!

 

[shovelstrokeed]

FWIW, I have an AI AX chassis on my one and only, so far, precision rifle. I fell in love from the first time I fondled it and now that I'm behind it on a weekly basis at the range and a lot more in dry fire exercise, I only have one complaint. It is addressed on quite a few other chassis systems.

That one complaint is there is no vertical or swing adjustment for the butt plate. I would love to be able to lower the butt plate a bit and swing it just a little like I could on the custom stock I had on my trap gun.

They seem to fit me pretty well but I have an advantage in that I am pretty much average size and body type. Most guns fit me pretty well regardless. 5'10" - 180 lbs - 16.5-33 shirt size.

 

[AyKay]

I thought the butt plate could move up and down on the xlr system. You are saying you wish it was lower and could turn into your shoulder? The lower might not be an issue for me because with the bipod bringing the front of the rifle up for prone and the high scope rings for standing, kneeling, sitting.
Side note: I wish the OEM AK stocks were also lower when using irons cause I only catch the bottom half of butt plate. I do not have this issue with the stock while using optics.

 

[Sapper524]

The only down side to some Chassis is weight. I have a McRee and XLR and both work fine. My F/TR rig is a McRee and I have shaved weight off it myself to keep things under the 18.1 lb limit. Most chassis out there have rails and ways to mount a clip on later. Most of them have a decent amount of adjustment in the buttstock to make it fit. The XLR is harder to mount a scope on due to the barrel shroud up front and having a shorter rail. The KRG W3 is a little heavier if weight is a huge concern. If a folder is high on the priority then the McRee gets my vote as it locks up very tight. I have not tried the newer XLR folder hinge. Bolt side folders are better in my opinion but those chassis are north of 2k. Lots of options out there and more showing up every week. My favorite rifle is my 18 inch 308 in an XLR ... my teammate/partner/spotter sold his XLR and went McRee as he is fanatical about mounting his scopes as low as he can. I have no doubt Kyles 20 MOA rail will work fine as his products are rock solid.

from my experience - kind of a random observation I noticed ... shorter guys (under 5'10) seem to like the McRee and W3 and taller guys like the XLR.

 

[AyKay]

The KRG X-Ray should be neat also, but since it is not released yet, I do not know much about this.
Yes, I am essentially looking for a rugged, lighter weight chassis that will accept the ten round .308 mags and have a pistol grip and adjustable stock.
If the XRay can get this all done for the price point that it is being advertised at then I might have to jump on it and I can get the optic quicker

I will have the read the thread about the XRay tomorrow.

 

[MrGreg]

I have not tried the newer XLR folder hinge.

I've got one on my carbon, and it's solid. My only comment is, if you plan on getting it cerakoted, order the folder disassembled (and the mag release latch, too).

 

[COLOSHOOTR]

FWIW, I have an AI AX chassis on my one and only, so far, precision rifle. I fell in love from the first time I fondled it and now that I'm behind it on a weekly basis at the range and a lot more in dry fire exercise, I only have one complaint. It is addressed on quite a few other chassis systems.

That one complaint is there is no vertical or swing adjustment for the butt plate. I would love to be able to lower the butt plate a bit and swing it just a little like I could on the custom stock I had on my trap gun.

They seem to fit me pretty well but I have an advantage in that I am pretty much average size and body type. Most guns fit me pretty well regardless. 5'10" - 180 lbs - 16.5-33 shirt size.

Surgeon makes an adjustable butt plate for the AICS that may solve your problem and make your chassis fit even better.

http://www.surgeonrifles.com/ai-butt-plate?ReturnUrl=LwBhAGMAYwBlAHMAcwBvAHIAaQBlAHMA

 

[Vargmat]

FWIW, I have an AI AX chassis on my one and only, so far, precision rifle. I fell in love from the first time I fondled it and now that I'm behind it on a weekly basis at the range and a lot more in dry fire exercise, I only have one complaint. It is addressed on quite a few other chassis systems.

That one complaint is there is no vertical or swing adjustment for the butt plate. I would love to be able to lower the butt plate a bit and swing it just a little like I could on the custom stock I had on my trap gun.

They seem to fit me pretty well but I have an advantage in that I am pretty much average size and body type. Most guns fit me pretty well regardless. 5'10" - 180 lbs - 16.5-33 shirt size.

Get the target buttplate for the AIAX chassie and you are good to go. Im about to place an order for this upgrade as well.

 

[brianf]

the original question of XLR or AICS durability; i have both along with some other stocks chassis and regular/bedded and for the comparison of AICS to XLR the AICS is tougher. the XLR is still very nice but you can bend/dent the fore end and the collapsible stock hinge is not as "wiggle free" as the AICS, still strong and does the job very nicely though. i am equally comfortable behind pistol grip or thumb hole so comfort wise it is even, you can play barbie with the XLR grips and butt stock (change to a magpul etc) if you want and with the AICS you can get viper skins or buy some more skins and play camo dress up if you want.

being all aluminum the XLR allows you to mount stuff where ever you want but who really does use all the rails we buy.
one thing i do like about the XLR is that the bipod is a little farther out so it can feel more stable at times.
AICS great off a bipod but being square if you need to shoot off a pack or a tree limb it is not as forgiving as the round fore end of the XLR. with the XLR i actually made up a flatter fore end piece kind of like a manners for a little more stability when shooting off strange surfaces. with the aluminum tube up front i just mounted it how i wanted.

anything you purchase from XLR is of high quality and workmanship so don't worry about it. and both will be machined straighter and flatter than your remmy action, so accuracy will be the same.

almost forgot my usual answer, YOU HAVE TO GET BEHIND ONE BEFORE YOU BUY. opinions are great for starters but everybody is different. nothing worse than spending big bucks and not liking it, or forcing yourself to like it because its cool and everybody likes it. buy the one that YOU shoot the best.

 

[sulcop96]

AhKay,

I know your researching the hell out of chassis, I see you on a bunch of threads, but you may be doing so much your head will implode. First, on chassis, you need to get behind one for a while and not just some dry fire or a range trip. A chassis is a different shooting platform and some love them (me) others hate them (bohem) so it is 100% subjective. I don't know if there is a direct correlation between time with pistols/ARs and comfort of a chassis. Perhaps there is because I did not go to sniper school until I was 40 and had been carrying an AR/pistol in the MArines/Army and PD for 22 years. I was never comfortable with the HS stock I started with and at sniper school shot a guys McRees and it felt great. I have been a chassis guy from that point on but I have also run Manners GAT and McMillan A4 and really liked both but still prefer the chassis.

Now onto the comparison. Disclaimer, my kids are all grown up, house paid for and I am well employed so I spend money on my two vices, powerlifting/bodybuilding and rifles. For that reason I don't mind losing a few bucks and buying something, using it and then selling it. For that reason I have a collection of chassis; see photos below. WHat I have used is; AICS, McRee, XLR, KRG X-Ray, Knoxx Axiom and the JP.

I enjoyed all of them and they all have advantages but my preferences are in the following order from favorite to least favorite: X-Ray, XLR, AICS, McRee, JP and the Axiom. Now "my" preferences differ form others but the X-Ray wins hands down because of one factor, weight. The thing is like 3 pounds. Hell I have heavier bowel movements, and it is as comfortable as any chassis I have used. Weight is a factor when you need to shoot standing unsupported or even kneeling or seated. Also makes a difference when you need to lug stuff around, but most shooters go from the parking lot to the firing range so that may not be a factor. The ergonomics of the grip fit me very well and there is a nice space for my thumb. It is adjustable but you do need the spacers for the LOP but even when I go from heavy TAC gear to a t-shirt I don't find a huge deviance. Must just be my build but once I set a chassis LOP I almost never fiddle with it.

XLR is just a excellent piece of work. Yes you need a tool to set it up but once set it feels great in the hand. It is lighter then the others, but not as light as the X-Ray and is a tick more in price. The nice thing is Kyle can fit an XLR to about any rifle and mine sits on a Howa 1500 and another on a FN SPR. It is adjustable and like all chassis allow the use of rails all over. I use them, mostly for "work" and like the ability to attach my NVS, lasers, lights, flush cups.... but if you don't need them the tube is fine with no attachments.

AICS is great and I will not sell min. I will swap it out with the X-Ray form time to time but its a keeper. If I never used the X-Ray this would be neck and neck with the XLR. Down side, it is a slug to carry around. Add the IMUNS and a bipod and unsupported positions take on a whole new workout aspect. Also no real place to add flush cups or rails other then the IMUNS (or adding Viper skins, an excellent addition) Still a great system.

McRees, same as AICS, heavy. Great chassis and lots of options at a good price. Had one, used it, liked it but sold it off. No reason not to get one but for me I more or less like the "look" of the AICS and XLR and when the performance is the same it was more aesthetic then anything else. Still a great looking rig but the whole eye of the beholder thing...

The JP I just didn't feel good behind. I can't even articulate it. Some people love them, I just didn't get that fuzzy internal feeling with it. Ditched it quick so not a lot to say.

The Axiom was not bad once a made a little modification. After the first few range trips I found all the recoil absorbing springs in the stock and pistol grip seemed to change the travel of the rifle on recoil. Again, can't articulate it but IT SUCKED and threw me off. So, I took a punch and tapped out the springs. Then it was just a chassis and was actually a solid piece of work. It shot well and I enjoyed it for the price... free. I went to a Blackhawk class and they reps were pushing them and one of the guys tossed me one. Got a bit of use out of it but it was not really in the same league as the others. If you come across one for $100 or less, tap out the silly recoil absorbing springs (side bar, is the .308 really that bad that we need recoil absorption?)

As for accuracy, what I can say is there was really no difference in any of them. Well the Axiom sucked till I took the springs out but then it went back to 1/2 MOA. All were at one time or another on my best 700 but float around my other rifle as well. So it comes down to preference and little things like weight, attachment points, price and looks. Bottom line I can't see you being totally dissatisfied with any of the chassis out there. You may find a better "fit" over time but I would make sure its what you want and pick one and shoot the hell out of it. If you don't like it throw it in the sale section here, or hell I'll I may buy it, lol.

Sully