If it’s for competition that the acc blows the bravo out of the water.
If it’s just for screwing around then it doesn’t matter.
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Howa 1500
- Thread starter Minnesotabean
- Start date
If it’s just for screwing around then it doesn’t matter.
Why is that? I've got a Bravo already, seems like it does it all as long as you add a few extras. What does the ACC offer that the bravo doesn't?
From my limited experience in competition, shooting side by side against the best of everything out there, a loaded up Bravo is as good as anything else and better than most.
...assuming one planned on a Howa 1500 SA + heavier 26" MTU/M24-ish contour:
Bravo for Howa 1500 SA
Chassis 440
T-slot weight 70
Heavy ARCA rail 100
Heavy ARCA spacer 100
Heavy LOP spacers 26 per
Spigot 70-123
...depending on whether the minimalist spigot (70) will work or the ARCA spigot is needed (123), and whether you want to run 1-3 LOP weights (26-78), the rig will end up ~21-23lbs and be more capable, just about as nice, and feel similar to something really nice like a Manners PRS-TCS with the heavier steel rail and all 5 weights (the other chassis I'm most familiar with).
Total "match ready" cost = ~$806-911 (add another 60 if you need/want a pair GrayOps m-lok weights up front)
MDT ACC for Howa 1500 SA
Chassis 1190
Internal weights 145
External m-lok weights (2 pair) 120
Buttstock weight 60
Bagrider 50
...~23lbs, feels like a 100% aluminum chassis (not better or worse, just different, less dead-feeling maybe IMHO), options for adding even more weight (.75lbs per mlok weight pair).
Total "match ready" cost = ~$1600
There is a bit of a stigma attached to the Bravo's as people view them as "that $350 ubiquitous entry-level chassis", and they make a pretty crappy/underwhelming first impression. More "barreled-action holder" than "match ready" IMO. But, if you take one and go a la carte and trick it out, it becomes something else entirely, and honestly will change a few peoples minds about them when they handle/shoot one that has been fully blown out from the KRG side menu.
An out-of-the-box ACC gives a great first impression, and feels like a much higher quality piece, because it is and should, it costs ~3x as much. But, it's not really "match ready" either without spending more than a few more bucks, and arguably, in some ways they're not really even "bench ready" until you attach a bag rider of some type. Though, it's the tops in MDT's range and is an awesome chassis for "joe's" as well as the "pro's".
Spend half and go with the Bravo and you'll have a sick rifle but there will always be a few rifle snobs looking down their noses at you. You probably won't get that vibe from the rifle-snob crowd with an ACC, but they have been selling factory Savages wearing them, so that may not last forever... IMHO they're equally capable.
Pick your poison.
...assuming one planned on a Howa 1500 SA + heavier 26" MTU/M24-ish contour:
Bravo for Howa 1500 SA
Chassis 440
T-slot weight 70
Heavy ARCA rail 100
Heavy ARCA spacer 100
Heavy LOP spacers 26 per
Spigot 70-123
...depending on whether the minimalist spigot (70) will work or the ARCA spigot is needed (123), and whether you want to run 1-3 LOP weights (26-78), the rig will end up ~21-23lbs and be more capable, just about as nice, and feel similar to something really nice like a Manners PRS-TCS with the heavier steel rail and all 5 weights (the other chassis I'm most familiar with).
Total "match ready" cost = ~$806-911 (add another 60 if you need/want a pair GrayOps m-lok weights up front)
MDT ACC for Howa 1500 SA
Chassis 1190
Internal weights 145
External m-lok weights (2 pair) 120
Buttstock weight 60
Bagrider 50
...~23lbs, feels like a 100% aluminum chassis (not better or worse, just different, less dead-feeling maybe IMHO), options for adding even more weight (.75lbs per mlok weight pair).
Total "match ready" cost = ~$1600
There is a bit of a stigma attached to the Bravo's as people view them as "that $350 ubiquitous entry-level chassis", and they make a pretty crappy/underwhelming first impression. More "barreled-action holder" than "match ready" IMO. But, if you take one and go a la carte and trick it out, it becomes something else entirely, and honestly will change a few peoples minds about them when they handle/shoot one that has been fully blown out from the KRG side menu.
An out-of-the-box ACC gives a great first impression, and feels like a much higher quality piece, because it is and should, it costs ~3x as much. But, it's not really "match ready" either without spending more than a few more bucks, and arguably, in some ways they're not really even "bench ready" until you attach a bag rider of some type. Though, it's the tops in MDT's range and is an awesome chassis for "joe's" as well as the "pro's".
Spend half and go with the Bravo and you'll have a sick rifle but there will always be a few rifle snobs looking down their noses at you. You probably won't get that vibe from the rifle-snob crowd with an ACC, but they have been selling factory Savages wearing them, so that may not last forever... IMHO they're equally capable.
Pick your poison.
And yet after dumping a grand into a bravo you’re still stuck with the same grip and position and no real adjustability.
I’ve had two bravos and I’ve had two accs. I still have the accs.
Compare a bravo to an xrs. Compare a whiskey3 to an acc.
I’ve had two bravos and I’ve had two accs. I still have the accs.
Compare a bravo to an xrs. Compare a whiskey3 to an acc.
Actually, it really depends on what fits and how one looks at it... The way I see it, the Bravo grip is awesome and better than anything available for the ACC and is as good or better than most anything out there, and it’s adjustable for LOP and cheek-piece height just like the ACC, just not on-the-fly, which no one really uses and most set and forget just like with a Bravo. The ACC’s hardware isn’t great too, and can be pretty annoying in that it doesn’t stay tight and constantly needs to be checked on and re-tightened...
The Whiskey’s do look cooler than the Bravo’s, but unless it’s a folder, they don’t really do much, if anything, any better. The Whiskey’s do have better hardware than the ACC’s though, the way their knobs lock is slick and makes the MDT system seem crappy IMO.
It all comes down to one’s personal taste.
IMHO, unless one wants/needs a super heavy beast and puts that trait above all, a $1500+ stock/chassis ought to say Manners or Foundation on it, but that’s just like my opinion man.
The Whiskey’s do look cooler than the Bravo’s, but unless it’s a folder, they don’t really do much, if anything, any better. The Whiskey’s do have better hardware than the ACC’s though, the way their knobs lock is slick and makes the MDT system seem crappy IMO.
It all comes down to one’s personal taste.
IMHO, unless one wants/needs a super heavy beast and puts that trait above all, a $1500+ stock/chassis ought to say Manners or Foundation on it, but that’s just like my opinion man.
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Ok but I find the bravo grip to be total crap.
And you can put any grip you want on the acc.
And the bravo has no lateral adjustment very much unlike the acc or whiskey.
And you can set the acc and forget it with a wrench just like the bravo if you wanted to nullifying the hardware you claim is crap comes loose all the time. I haven’t found that to be the case. I also adjust my stuff all the time.
Amd most all of these things apply to any of the higher level chassis, not just the acc.
Anyway you look at it the bravo offers a limited feature set when compared to other offerings with more features. If that works for you great. But to claim it offers as much and that it’s every bit as equal to any of the big time chassis is just disingenuous.
And you can put any grip you want on the acc.
And the bravo has no lateral adjustment very much unlike the acc or whiskey.
And you can set the acc and forget it with a wrench just like the bravo if you wanted to nullifying the hardware you claim is crap comes loose all the time. I haven’t found that to be the case. I also adjust my stuff all the time.
Amd most all of these things apply to any of the higher level chassis, not just the acc.
Anyway you look at it the bravo offers a limited feature set when compared to other offerings with more features. If that works for you great. But to claim it offers as much and that it’s every bit as equal to any of the big time chassis is just disingenuous.
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Good debate here fellas it’s really making me think of things I didn’t even consider. one big thing is the accessories. It appears plenty stock stuff for MDT not so many for KRG. Btw I’m in Aus, so MDT is a lot more popular over here.
There's tons of stuff for KRG HERE.
Downunder might be a different story.
I think I would tend to go with what had the most local support.
I have two Bravo's and like them very much, but I am not sure how well they would hold up to rough use in a match environment.
@spife7980 I respect your opinion and just think that, like a bunch other things in life, some of this shit is just subjective... a decent example would be: I play guitar, I'm more of a "Strat guy" while one of my buddies is a "Les Paul guy", we both can explain endlessly why our respective choice is clearly better than the other... but at the end of the day they're both great axes and we're both right.
Obviously the telecaster is superior. But Im more of an acoustic guy overall. LOL
I guess it’s a matter of personal preference then. A perfect justification to buy both.
I know this is an older thread but I am in a similar quandary. Was going to get the Brownells Howa 1500 and was looking at MDT chassis. I can also get the Howa with the KRG bravo. Problem is the lower end MDT chassis don't seem to be all that great. If I make the leap the ACC stock, then I am getting into the price range where maybe I should just go ahead and get the MPA BA PMR pro and not have to piece something together. No one wants to overspend, but buyer's remorse for buying the lesser is a real thing. Looking for experiences here. I am considering PRS shooting, and I think a chassis might be better than the bravo. Thoughts?
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My 6mm Creedmoor Howa in an ACC with a Criterion prefit. I’ve since replaced that barrel with another Criterion in a MTU profile. It’s a laser, took 7th at the Accuracy Indiana match last spring shooting out to a mile. MDT will be running their Black Friday sale soon if you want to save some money. As far as the MPA, if you are gonna spend that kind of money I would jump on that. The two I have are amazing.
