I am putting together a 35 Whelan #4 contour Shilen on a vz-24. Hogue has a stock with full length metal bedding with the rubber exterior for a large ring 98 for $279. Has any one tried this stock? Thanks,Lee

I bought and used one on a Ruger 77 mark 2 and was very un impressed. I thought the stock was heavy and clunky. I would rather use a HS Precision or a piece of wood.

Hello Kaprota,
Several in my area have used them and admit that they are not "shapely," but take a beating and look fine after a year or so of hard use.
Have heard that the best buy is just the basic pillar bedded one and don't really need the bedding block version and saves around $100.00.
Ones I have shot seem to handle recoil quite well and does appear to be tough.

I just put one of the pillar bedded versions on my VZ24 in .376 Steyr which has a #4 Douglas barrel. The only thing I had to do was make a small cut round the front of the trigger guard assembly to get it to fit.

Hogue has made flanges in the stock that allow you to sand to fit the barrel channel and safety slot if you use a trigger mounted safety.

The stock is a bit thick but not so bad that it feels clubby. It also seemed to cut recoil by half and accuracy so far has been better than the previous stock, but this is a peepsight only rifle so I can't comment on true accuracy potential. The fore end is a bit bendy so I don't think I'd use on a varmint or long range rifle, but I've seen reports where users fixed that by epoxying a rod in the forearm to stiffen it.

ymmv

yes ive used that same stock on my 98 mauser works great,my barrel was a #5 hart, happy as can be ,regards jjmp

I've used two of the cheaper, non-full-length bedding block version, and been happy with both.

One was for a 98K mauser in 8x57, and the other I used so I could cut it down for my son to shoot a Win 70 in 270 (so I could save the original walnut stock for him later). The mauser stock had to be cut a little to clear the rear sight sleeve on the military stepped barrel. The win70 version require a little bit of trimming around the forward end of the bottom metal.

The pistol grip fits my hand very well, with just the right palm swell.

My only complaint is the rubber attracts and shows dirt and dust really bad, but is really comfortable to hold securely.

Just a thought, you might want to consider a thinner barrel contour, a 35 whelen doesn't need to weight 9#'s to be shootable.

I have the basic pillar bedded stock on the VZ24 I built as a 338-06AI. Works great. I don't see the need for a full-length bedded one at all. It's grippy as all get out and quiet to boot. I even like the recoil pad that came with it.

I have a couple for Ruger Short Actions and I put them on the rifle when I am going to be out in the real rough stuff, and in the pouring rain.. which we can get a lot of in Oregon here...

That Rubber really works well in the rain.. you can bet the crap out of your rifle in that type of hunting, and the Hogue comes home looking like it had been sitting in the gun cabinet the entire time...

It ain't pretty in my book, but it is awfully functional!

Haven't posted on this thread cause it's about a Hogue stock for a centerfire rifle. But, I do have a Hogue rubber stock on a Ruger 10-22 and it is great for a rainy day rifle. That rubber grip works.. I like it.

Don

I went ahead and and ordered the full length bedding (black - in stock). For another ten bucks you can get it in a military green - camo avail. for $320. The green and camo are special order 3-4 months delivery time. I asked, they gave a 10% discount.
Now I have to decide parkerized or matte blue?
Thanks for the input, Lee

I dropped a Whitworth in 375 H&H into the fulllength block on and other than a little trimming around the sight area it was perfect. Shoots well too. Sub 1" with 79gr H4350 and 300 grain Fail Safes.