I'm building a VZ-24 300 Win Mag and intend it to be an all weather gun. Hopefully, Alaska will be in it's future. It isn't going to be a super lightweight, but I will try to keep the weight down.

What is everyone's opinion of the various stocks? I occasionally see Bell and Carlson stocks on sale for about $150 in some of the catalogs (not the one with the aluminum bedding block). Is McMillan worth the money?

I'm looking for strength and accuracy, but I don't want the extra weight of the stocks with the aluminum bedding block.

Lastly, has anyone used a Boyds laminate? How do they stack up with a synthetic?

Thanks in advance. Right now it rests in a cut-down K98 stock. Looks so ugly it's almost cool!

I have had and now have quite a number of synthetics plus a highly modded Boyd's lam. or two. I have had a Clifton, several Brown's, several Micky's, several Rimrock-Borden's and have used a High Tech, since my first custom synthetic in 1985.

I prefer and use classic CRF rifles and have synthetics on 3 of my 4 P-64 Mod. 70 Alaskans in .338WM and my .375H&H as well. These are Rimrocks on one pair of .338s and the .375 and a Brown on the other .338, I have a modded Micky for the fourth and have been too busy to finish installing it.

I have Brown Kevlar on one of my P-64 FWTs in .270W and a Micky Edge on it's mate plus an original HVA 7x57 with steel bottom metal in the Brown Kevalar.

I have a .30-06 P-64 FWT in a Rimrock as mate to my .375 and a custom .375 "shorty" in a Micky plus my P-64 Westerner in .264WM in a Micky G&H. I have a Micky AHR style coming for my Brno ZG-47 in 9.3x62 and am probably buying a Mikcky Edge for my Brno 21-H roundbolt re-chambered to .280R. You might say I LIKE synthetic stocks!

My custom FN 9.3x62 is going into a very lightened Boyd's lam. which will weigh about 28 oz., about perfect for that chambering, IMHO.

I have other wood stocked rifles which may well end up in synthetics, as well, due to the wet conditions I often hunt in.

Now, which is "best", well, since Borden is no more, sadly, as that was hell of a stock for the price and damm good by any measure, I would choose Micky as numero uno. Brown's take a LOT of finish work, BUT, they do make up into a dang nice handle and I do not care for High Tech's thicker grip, but, many like them very much, including guys whose opinions I respect.

Overall, buy a Micky Edge for lighter rifles and a reg. Micky for magnums and be happy.

Thanks, Dewey,

I've never heard of "Micky". Oh, now that I write it, you mean McMillan!? And by Brown, you mean Ed Brown?

Funny you should mention a lightened Boyds. That is one of the things I've been thinking of, getting a Boyds JRS and making a bunch of lightening cuts into it.

Are the Ed Brown Kevlars fairly heavy?

Thanks

Brown Precision is the maker, the late Chet Brown was among the very first fiberglas stock makers and he was a hell of a nice guy, with real hunting knowledge.

The Kevlars I have are about the same weight as McMillan Edge stocks, the lightest available that I would trust.

The Boyd's requires a LOT of work, inside and out to get it to where a regular synthetic would be. I like them in cold weather and have a good friend who does the work and his are just about perfect for my uses.

I would, all in all, go with a McMillan stock for almost any hunting rifle I can think of and these are probably the best made of the lot.

Laminate = heavy.

McMillan Edge = Light & Sweet!

Although the McMillan Edge is light and sweet, unfortunately I have to believe MCmillan's web site, which indicates that this stock isn't available for a Mauser. However, they do offer a regular fiberglas stock for the Mauser. I have one in the classic style, which started as the Sako american style, and they now offer it for various rifles. Another good choice in McMillan is the Sako Hunter style, which they offer for Rugers, and I think they will inlet one for the Mauser. I have two which they inletted several years ago for me, and I really like them. My only complaint about the McMillan is they are loud when working the bolt, I mean they really clank. But my brother ran over one of my McMillan stocked rifles with his truck with no damage that I can find - to the rifle that is. I didn't inspect the truck.

The other problem with the McMillan is that if you are ever horse back hunting, with your rifle in a saddle scaboard, and the stock hangs up on a tree or something, it will tip the whole horse over, or break the scaboard straps, or the cinch straps - something has to give, and it's not likely to be the stock. They are tough Of course, if this is a concern of yours, just buy a Bell and Carlson. Problem over, horse still standing. the stock is sure to give first, right at the wrist.

You can experiment with a bunch of synthetic stocks like Dewey, if you have the time and money. But I understand why you are asking for advice. You would like to save time and money, and use the experience of others to come closer to getting it right the first time.

Personally, I can't stand the Boyd's JRS stock. The butt is too straight - no drop at all - which is all wrong for fitting me. I like a classic style, but with a little drop at the heal.

OK, I'll boil it down. I think I'm entitled to an opinion, and you asked for it. If you want a really sturdy stock, which has near perfect shape and design, and don't mind the clank, go with a McMillan. If you want a stock that works, which is quiet and sturdy, and doesn't cost a fortune, and you can buy with practically no wait, go to Midsouth Shooter's supply web site and shop for a Hogue stock in the color you like. The issues to be concerned with are the barrel contour, and the shape of your bolt handle. These stocks work well with a Shilen #3 contour, and they are made to fit the Mark X or Charles Daly or Remington 798, or the commercial FN bolt handle. Smaller barrels leave a gap in the barrel channel, but the channel can be opened up for larger barrels.

Another stock that works, and is tough, and readily available, and has a very usable shape, is the Butler Creek. It's cheap, and good, and quiet, and the barrel channel is much narrower than the Hogue, so you can fit a smaller barrel in it without the gaps. The forarm is a little flexable, but I think a creative guy could find a way to make it stiffer if stiff is what you like. Heck, call Brownells and ask them about some of that stifferena. Tell them kabluewy recommended it. They will know what you mean. But don't be surprised if they recommend a good pharmacy. And this stock can be painted in whatever color you like.

Hope I've helped.
KB

The only synthetic srock I have ever seen broken WAS a Micky and it WAS from a horse "wreck" here in B.C. Horses are big and kinda strong and can basicly wreck the Lord's Prayer in the mountains and often do!

The Boyd's lam. stocks can easily be re-shaped, as I posted, one of mine is being modded as we speak. They can be brought down to 28-29 oz. and then they really are a fine piece of gear, we spray ours with floor grit and they work just superbly.

Micky will make almost any of their stocks in the Edge technology, my buddy has a Sako Classic model, two Darcy Echol's Legends and the MK-X model in this, the latter is what I am planning on using on my Brno 21 project, as previously stated. You might need to talk to Dick Davis on this.

My buddy builds very basic, highly functional rifles on P-64, FN, HVA, Brno-CZ and similar actions. He is in the mineral exploration business, very successfully and could afford a Darcy Echol's Legend, if he wished. But, he finds that his rifles work perfectly in the Yukon, B.C., N.W.T., Labrador and so forth and so do I...except I have not been to Labrador, yet.

I have seen B&C and Butler Creek stocks cracked, Ramline seems pretty skookum, but, almost impossible to epoxy bed and so I still consider my original suggestions the best over-all option, each to his own.

Great stories, Kabluewy! Pharmacy?

Sounds like the McMillan, then, is the answer if I don't want to spent a lot of time grinding out the Boyds. One thing I know I can't stand is the Hogue "overmolded" stocks, like Ruger is putting on the Alaskan. That super grippy stuff feels like it should be on a kid's toy. I can just see it sticking to my jacket as I try to shoulder it for a quick shot.

Glad to hear McMillan will likely inlet the Edge for a Mauser. I'm thinking I'll do that and get exactly what I want.

I've got one of these on a 270WSM it's a nice stock the barrel action was send to them and they did the stock installation. http://www.hightech-specialties.com/

I put one of these on a 30-338mag
http://www.mpistocks.com/index.htm

I use a B&C on a 30-06 first time and that is a real nice stock my nephew liked it so much he's using one for his 257Wby that he's have done on an old ruger tang action.

I got afew McMillian stocks one Rimrock some H&S
lots of good stock being made today.

http://www.lonewolfriflestocks.com/

Can't go wrong with B&C for what it is. I've used a Boyd's lam (factory stock on a Howa) and they are kind of hefty. But this was a thumbhol, so its a bigger stock. You could buy a sporter laminate and shape it down a bit. Also check rifle-stocks.com. You can get lams in a huge array of colors and with several stock patterns. If you check the close-out list, you can probably find what you want a bit cheaper. Lots of people order them, and never pay or who knows what.

Have a McMillan and two B&C Medalists which I believe give the most bang for the buck.

I know they are heavy and a lot of people don't like the closed grip, but I love my Hogues overmolded with the full length aluminum bedding block. I have it on M 98 in /338 WM. It weighs 9.0 lbs with 3 rounds in it, a Burris 3-9 with lens caps on top, and a padded nylon sling. DW

quote:

Posted 09 January 2009 19:32 Hide Post
Great stories, Kabluewy! Pharmacy?

Sounds like the McMillan, then, is the answer if I don't want to spent a lot of time grinding out the Boyds. One thing I know I can't stand is the Hogue "overmolded" stocks, like Ruger is putting on the Alaskan. That super grippy stuff feels like it should be on a kid's toy. I can just see it sticking to my jacket as I try to shoulder it for a quick shot.

Glad to hear McMillan will likely inlet the Edge for a Mauser. I'm thinking I'll do that and get exactly what I want.

McMillan won't inlet their EDGE stock for a Mauser. You can get other patterns with their EDGE technology, but the stock pattern they call the EDGE is not for a mauser. Go with the SAKO Classic, it's a great design, and you get get it made with the liteweight construction.

The ...stock pattern they call the Edge..., this is NOT the Pattern, it is the full carbon fiber technology which they offer.

I would check with Micky, of course and I will double-check with my buddy who told me that the Mark X inleted blank he has IS Edge technology, one of the several styles using it that he has.

He put the "Hunter Compact Edge" on my minty spare P-64 Fwt.-.270W., with blind mag and this is one FINE little mountain rifle so equipped. It weighs just over 7lbs. with a Zeiss Conquest 3x9 in Talley Lever mts. and shoots a 150NP into .6 at 100M at a MV of 2900 fps. Pretty damm hard to beat, but, I do kinda prefer the Brno 21 action and the .280R, so......

I will post here tomorrow or Monday as soon as I double check to eliminate any confusion. I like the Micky Edge stocks better than any others I have used, but, the Rimrocks work VERY well on magnum rifles and apparently Jim Borden has some left....cheap, maybe call him.

Dewey....I would to find out more about the stock with the blind magazine on the pre-64 model 70- .270. I have featherweights in my collection; (30-06, .270, .243, .358) that I would like to set up that way. My cell: 507-273-9867........Thanks, Grant.