Deciding between GA precision and Masterpiece arms bolt gun. Have shot traditional stock gun till now. Thoughts and experiences from current owners appreciated!
Top tier bolt gun decision
- Thread starter Bergara 6mm
- Start date
If you haven’t shot a chassis rifle spend a day or three with a borrowed one. They aren’t for everyone. I find them comfortable to shoot and a pistol grip fends recoil like no other.....but in the end I prefer a stocked rifle.
I've used Manners stocks and MPA chassis but not a fully built rifle from either. As far as the stocks/chassis go I lean towards chassis. If I were honest with myself, I'd say I like chassis more because they look neat to me.
If you want a more practical cool guy answer, I guess I like their adjustability, interchangeable parts, and they tend to have more accessories available, especially MPA chassis.
If you want a more practical cool guy answer, I guess I like their adjustability, interchangeable parts, and they tend to have more accessories available, especially MPA chassis.
Having shot both platform types (not companies), I prefer the GA Precision, manners stock style over the MA. It has a simple, classic feel that gets the job done. The MPA gives you more adjustability and customization for different shooting styles... but you can get an arca rail on the manners and you're not that far off.
Thanks! i have shot an RPR quite a bit, but I know thats not necessarily the level of the MPA -- but it was perfectly acceptable in terms of ergonomics.
Also having too much freedom of adjustability may not be good for me. Took me 500 rounds to get my adjustable cheek piece and scope relief just like i liked it on my Bergara.
As far as styles, I prefer manners stocks.
I had GAP build me a bolt gun. Beautiful and accurate. But 2 out of 20 primers wouldn’t ignite. They had me send back the bolt and said the firing pin spring was cut too short. “Fixed it” and sent it back. Still has the same problem.
4000 dollars and it won’t go bang.
Yes, I know, I can send the bolt from a $4000 rifle back AGAIN, and maybe it will work but my level of disgust is pretty high.
I bought a TIkka CTR, bought a manners stock, YouTubed how to bed the thing, and now I have a $1600 rifle that shoots just as well and also goes bang every time. Just an option to consider. Also, build time was 1 week for shipping and 1 day for MarineTex to cure.
I had GAP build me a bolt gun. Beautiful and accurate. But 2 out of 20 primers wouldn’t ignite. They had me send back the bolt and said the firing pin spring was cut too short. “Fixed it” and sent it back. Still has the same problem.
4000 dollars and it won’t go bang.
Yes, I know, I can send the bolt from a $4000 rifle back AGAIN, and maybe it will work but my level of disgust is pretty high.
I bought a TIkka CTR, bought a manners stock, YouTubed how to bed the thing, and now I have a $1600 rifle that shoots just as well and also goes bang every time. Just an option to consider. Also, build time was 1 week for shipping and 1 day for MarineTex to cure.
I have a Bergara HMR pro that shoots well, and was just thinking of the next firearm because the lead times. With 1600 rounds in 6mm creed, performance is deteriorating and Im about to send it in for their $500 re-barrel option. Was going to keep shooting that for a while while I get the higher end gun (especially since the lead time on the GA is like 6 months). Lots have recommended that I reload to pick up some performance, but I work a lot and prefer to spend my free time shooting!
If you are going chassis/mini chassis/foundation, or similar, you don't have to bed the action which means you can get a barreled action and the stock of your choice and assemble it yourself (no six month waits). I don't know what kind of glass you are using but you might start with re-barreling the 6mm with a reputable barrel and smith, use extra money to upgrade to really nice glass and shoot that while you figure out exactly what action/stock system works best for you.
For the past 2yrs I've been shooting from my KRG chassis. Few weeks ago I put my CTR in a Manners T4A. Huge difference! I didn't realize how uncomfortable the chassis was till I got behind the Manners. So much so that I'm going to sell off the chassis and order another Manners. Chassis look nice but they're just not for me. YMMV
i own 2 GAP rifles. one 308 bolt gun one ar10, the actual armalite version. both with the rifle loads are more consistent than any Tikka or regular built up Tikka or other remington rifle i own. if money was no limit i would surely own more .
McMA5 stock = heaven compared to any chassis i own. AICS or cadex or KRG.
just my opinion
Hard to explain. The KRG feels like I'm trying to hug up against a metal framed shelf. It's rigid, no doubt, but not comfortable.
If you decide to stay with a traditional stock style you should also look into Bell and Carlson. they have a few that have the same features as chassis (specifically adjustable cheek weld).
Have a couple of Tac Ops rifles. Love them!! I’m personally more comfortable with a traditional stock weapon over a chassis weapon. Good luck with your decision.
I recently picked up the MPA comp chassis. The vertical grip is much more comfortable for me than a standard pistol grip. Picked up a second grip for my wife's XLR and ground it down to fit her hand - win there as well. Having the ability to cant the butt pad is a huge plus for me, and I also like having the longer chassis plus the spigot allows you to put the bipod way out there which so far I am liking as well since I run 26" + the brake. The only thing I do not like about it is I need to pull the cheek riser off to get the bore guide in for cleaning.
