feedback on replacement stock for Ruger American

[johnnyvw]

I have an older Gen 1 Ruger American in 556 that I am in the process of upgrading. I have a PVA 223 Wylde 24" barrel on order and am contemplating a better stock (I have heavily modified the original one, but thinking rather than go through the trouble of grinding out the fore-stock to clear the barrel why not start with something better?)
I am considering the MDT Field Stock, the MDT Oryx, and the KRG bravo. If anyone uses any of them that could give me solid "good/bad" aspects of any of them that would be much appreciated. And if you have more than one of them and can give me direct comparisons, even better.

Use will just be flat range shooting from a bench (most of the time) out to 600 yards. No hunting use, doubtfull I'll ever compete (but, never say never)

Thanks!

Edit: it not necessary to have a Ruger action mounted into the stock, but it'shelpful info to know if there are any particular issues if it is (like in post #2)

 

[Erickluc]

I have an older Gen 1 Ruger American in 556 that I am in the process of upgrading. I have a PVA 223 Wylde 24" barrel on order and am contemplating a better stock (I have heavily modified the original one, but thinking rather than go through the trouble of grinding out the fore-stock to clear the barrel why not start with something better?)
I am considering the MDT Field Stock, the MDT Oryx, and the KRG bravo. If anyone uses any of them that could give me solid "good/bad" aspects of any of them that would be much appreciated. And if you have more than one of them and can give me direct comparisons, even better.

Use will just be flat range shooting from a bench (most of the time) out to 600 yards. No hunting use, doubtfull I'll ever compete (but, never say never)

Thanks!

I have a krg bravo on my ruger that I rebarreled it into a 6 creedmoor. Overall I really like it when it comes to customization. I tried out a magpul stock first and I did not care for it that much. The only down side I had is finding a magazine that fed correctly and you didnt have to force to get it to latch.

 

[johnnyvw]

Thanks for the feedback. What magazines did you find worked best?

 

[Erickluc]

Thanks for the feedback. What magazines did you find worked best?

I tried a magpul aics mag that I had first and I had to hit the bottom of the mag pretty hard to get it to latch. I bought a ruger aics and it was way worse and ending up buying a krg mag that works good, it rattled a lot so I put some electrical tape on the outside. I use the gun for hunting and I didn't want the noise.

 

[xsn10s]

I have a KRB Bravo for my Rem 700. I like it but manipulating the bolt is slower than a traditional hunting stock due to the pistol grip. I installed a Magpul on a customer's Ruger American 6.5 CM. They liked it a lot, the only complaint is it's much heavier than the factory stock.

 

[anon]

I like the Bell and Carlson stock I put on my Gen 1 300bk Ranch Rifle. I also prefer the rotary mag for how I use that rifle.

https://www.bellandcarlson.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1154

 

[johnnyvw]

I like the Bell and Carlson stock I put on my Gen 1 300bk Ranch Rifle. I also prefer the rotary mag for how I use that rifle.

https://www.bellandcarlson.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1154

I looked at the B+C, was too expensive for not upgrading the magazine. I also looked at the Boyd's AT-One since my wife has a nice Savage in one, but adding the AICS mags brought it up the price of a Bravo and just under that of an Oryx.

 

[xsn10s]

Another option is a Boyd's laminated stock. They have bottom metal for AICS style mags.

 

[johnnyvw]

I have a KRB Bravo for my Rem 700. I like it but manipulating the bolt is slower than a traditional hunting stock due to the pistol grip. I installed a Magpul on a customer's Ruger American 6.5 CM. They liked it a lot, the only complaint is it's much heavier than the factory stock.

The modifications I've done to the factory stock have probably added 7 or 8 lbs. LOL. Pretty much solid epoxy and two 1/4" steel rods in the fore-end....it's stiff!

 

[johnnyvw]

Another option is a Boyd's laminated stock. They have bottom metal for AICS style mags.

Just missed my post about that LOL.

 

[johnnyvw]

Would love to hear some real-world experience on the MDT Field Stock.

 

[xsn10s]

We have one a Mossberg LR Tactical at the shop. It's nice although I think the length of pull one both the KRG and Magpul can be adjusted shorter. which is important if you want to shoot with a more modern rifle position. Mid chest verses in the shoulder pocket. I feel like the KRG Bravo is finished a little better. but I haven't shot one either.

 

[CavReconScout]

Ruger American Gen1 6mm Creedmoor in a KRG Bravo. Built it as a hunting rifle, with the Mk3 HD weighs just over 8lbs. So far feeds 100% with the MDT mags.

 

[xsn10s]

I just handled the MDT Mossberg stock again. It actually feels pretty good.

 

[Gunooby]

I just handled the MDT Mossberg stock again. It actually feels pretty good.

I put the MDT Field Stock on my Ruger American gen 2 in .223. It's the first aftermarket stock I've bought so I can't compare it to the others, but it's a huge improvement. It's way more rigid and comfortable than the factory stock and helped my accuracy a lot. It does add a few pounds of weight so might be a little heavy to hike with, but for target shooting (which is what I do) the extra weight is a plus.

I did have issues with the mags feeding when I first got it and figured out that it was due to the mag release latch being too short. MDT sent me a couple of replacements and since I got the right size latch in it's been running great.

 

[Gunooby]

I put the MDT Field Stock on my Ruger American gen 2 in .223. It's the first aftermarket stock I've bought so I can't compare it to the others, but it's a huge improvement. It's way more rigid and comfortable than the factory stock and helped my accuracy a lot. It does add a few pounds of weight so might be a little heavy to hike with, but for target shooting (which is what I do) the extra weight is a plus.

I did have issues with the mags feeding when I first got it and figured out that it was due to the mag release latch being too short. MDT sent me a couple of replacements and since I got the right size latch in it's been running great.

Oops...right thread but replied to the wrong comment.

 

[mgoodrich]

I have the oryx stock on a ruger american predator that I had PVA barrel put on to convert it to a 22 creedmoor from a 6 mm creedmoor. The rifle shoots well and no issues with the stock itself. I have had issues with MDT's ACIS magazines (poly) feeding in this gun. The poly mags also would jam with more than 4 rounds in them (MDT 10 round mag) and not feed properly. When I switched over to the MDT metal/poly mag that fixed both issues on this gun, although I also had to smooth out the feed ramp on the action with a cadex bit.

The field stock wasn't available before, so I had 2 other guns in their XRS chassis, a 243 and a 6.5 creedmoor. Both guns shot better with this version of stock and no feeding issues with them. Again just the jamming issue with more than 4 rounds in the MDT poly mags and the metal/poly mags fixed that issue. Biggest issue was the placement of the QD sling mount. I had to place my sling on the right hand side because it would interfere (sling) with head placement when shooting.

These guns are all used for hunting. Only other issue that I have had on all these stocks is trying to get the pin placed in the mag latch with that spring. Seems to take me forever to get it started right and seated.

If the field stock had been available, that is probably the one I would have first used.

 

[johnnyvw]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I received my PVA barrel and decided to go for the Oryx stock since I found one for a good price. When I get everything together and shoot it I'll post up some pics. I found that MDT does recommend the metal mag so that's what I'll be using right from the beginning. A bit pricey, but I don't mind payimg a little more if it results in zero issues

 

[johnnyvw]

Well, today I put the action and original barrel into the Oryx stock. I realized I may need slightly taller scope rings to make sure the objective clears the barrel, so I figured I would first try things ot with only the stock being changed. Wow, I didn't know the mag release was going to be such a PIA on these things. And it doesn't allow a straight shot to the rear action screw, so I'll have to see if that's a problem. On the bright side, I heeded the advise to get the hybrid metal/polymer mags and my dummy rounds feed and ejected 100%. Excited to try it out and then tackle the barrel replacement

 

[johnnyvw]

Update: PVA barrel is installed, took it out a few days ago to break it in and see what it would do. Other than the fact that having to take out the mag release and re-install it is a major PIA, I'm pretty happy with the results. Shooting Sierra 223 77gr "Competition" rounds, did a 4 shot group at 0.32 MOA (I pulled the 5th shot, touched the trigger before I was 100% set (last round of the day and I was getting hungry...)