Looking for input on McMillan stocks, please. Since the price of their stocks are almost as much as that of some of my hunting rifles, I am balking a bit at springing for one (or three). Other than weight considerations and looks, what are the real world advantages they have?

Asking here rather than in the rifle forums because I want to know from the hunter's standpoint (this not a shot at the folks there).

TIA for any response.

KG

Kamo Gari I have an interest in those McMillan stocks also. I am thinking about getting one for my ZKK-602, maybe my CZ-550.

I hunt a lot in shitty Alberta weather. When it's raining or snowing for days off and on, the synthetic stocked rifles cannot be beat.

I am looking at the CZ Express, with aluminum bedding block and Pachmyr Decellerator recoil pads. I think those stocks run somewhere around $700, but then if you drop your barreled action into that, you would never worry about it again.
I don't know if bedding is required on standard calibers, but with my magnums (.416RM & .458Lott), I think I would do it.

Mcmillan has the reputation of being one of the best and stiffest synthetic stocks going. I have been very happy with the Mcmillan stocks I have used. Unless you get the "edge" fill the stock may not weigh less than what you already have.

Lou

I own two rifles with McMillan stocks. The one in the 1st photo below (taken 2007) is on one of those "defective" post-1964 Model 70s -- a 1965 vintage .264 WM -- that has probably killed 125 or more big-game critters without a failure to load or fire.

I bought it new and after many years of carrying it around in a saddle scabbard, the stock and bluing got to looking pretty shabby. So I had Robar Inc., which is located in the same industrial complex as McMillan in Phoenix, AZ, do a rehab on the gun.

Robar put the stock on and coated all the metal parts with a layer of satin silver NP3 -- a teflon type, self-lubricating finish.

The scope is also a recent addition (2003) after the original Leupold from 1965 finally crapped out just before my hunt in Africa.

The second photo (taken 2003) shows my 300WM, which was custom built for me by Robar. It's a M700 action with a fluted barrel in a McMillan stock with a NP3 blue/black coating. The scope is also a Leupold.

Both guns shoot quite accurately, and the stocks, despite being on the rilfes for nearly 15 years, still look like new, as the pix show. -TONY

What advantages besides a small amount of weight do they offer over HS?

I went with HS on 3 of my rifles and have been very pleased. A well known rifle builder told me they were good stocks as well the Mc...

Reloader

quote:

Originally posted by Reloader:
What advantages besides a small amount of weight do they offer over HS?

I went with HS on 3 of my rifles and have been very pleased. A well known rifle builder told me they were good stocks as well the Mc...

Reloader

If your ? was directed at me, I really haven't compared the McMillan to HS. For me, buying the McM was a matter of going with Robar's recommendation, convenience and supporting a local company.

Mine are the plain-Jane sport hunting types. I think they call them HGTs or some such thing.

Also, I think the $700 price mentioned above probably includes complete installation by McMillan. Their drop-in stocks actually don't cost much more than the HS line. If I recall, they were $400 or so when I checked prices for a friend about a year ago. -TONY

I just pulled this off the McMillan web site. -TONY

SPECIALS
Choose your action and find a great special on a McMillan stock.

McMillan Fiberglass Stocks has the following stocks in inventory and ready for immediate delivery, at a LIMITED OFFER PRICE. To order any of the following, call (623) 582-9635 during regular business hours. Make sure to indicate that you are ordering a stock from our "NET SPECIAL". Refer to our web page for examples and descriptions of each stock available.

Price: $385.00 shipping included for hunting and sporting style stocks. Unless Noted!

This price includes a completely finished drop-in stock with Pachmayr Presentation recoil pad installed at 13.5 inch LOP, Uncle Mikes sling swivel studs and a black textured paint. All stocks are inletted for factory original receiver and barrel contours.

Thanks for the replies so far. I note, however, that as yet no one has really answered the question originally posed, which was: 'other than weight considerations and looks, what are the real world advantages they have?'

One of the rifles I was considering is a model 70, but as it already wears a synthetic factory stock, was asking myself, 'why bother dumping ~$500 on another syn stock, unless there are considerable gains and/or benefits?'. So, are there?


TIA,

KG

quote:

One of the rifles I was considering is a model 70, but as it already wears a synthetic factory stock, was asking myself, 'why bother dumping ~$500 on another syn stock, unless there are considerable gains and/or benefits?'. So, are there?

HUGE GAIN FOR McMillan.

Many subscribe to the theroy bigger is better and the more it cost it has to be better just has to be

Here's what you might gain. A stock that is stiffer than the factory model. Although some model 70's did come from the factory with McMillan's.

I have a model 70 stainless that came from the factory with the "tupperware" stock. It is my ranch rifle and gets constantly abused. It is thrown into the vehicle of the day and gets bumped and beaten. After four years it has still held it's zero. I've have never glass-bedded the gun and don't intend to. So to answer your question for $500 or so you might gain a half inch in accuracy and high brows may not turn their nose up when they see your rifle.

Kamo,

Only speculating here, but since you already have a synthetic stock, you probably won't gain too much with an upgrade to a McMillan, especially if the gun is shooting with acceptable accuracy now.

Better to save your $400 so you can buy gas to go hunting -- well at least for one trip anyway. -TONY

Outdoor Writer wrote:

quote:

Better to save your $400 so you can buy gas to go hunting -- well at least for one trip anyway.

How sad but true...

I got my answer, I think. Thanks kindly, gents.

KG

I handled a Sako 338 win in a McMillan stock this weekend. I was impressed with the texture, easy to hang on to.

McMillans are tougher, stiffer, and available in a wider range of styles than factory stocks. Combine the stock that feels best in your hands with the right length of pull and you'll end up with a rifle that really fits you. If you're average, no big deal, but if you're short like me, or very tall, McMillans are great. I am also convinced that the stiffer stock, especially if your action is properly bedded into it, is more accurate. Whether that's worth the extra money or not is up to you.

quote:

Originally posted by Outdoor Writer:
I just pulled this off the McMillan web site. -TONY

SPECIALS
Choose your action and find a great special on a McMillan stock.

McMillan Fiberglass Stocks has the following stocks in inventory and ready for immediate delivery, at a LIMITED OFFER PRICE. To order any of the following, call (623) 582-9635 during regular business hours. Make sure to indicate that you are ordering a stock from our "NET SPECIAL". Refer to our web page for examples and descriptions of each stock available.

Price: $385.00 shipping included for hunting and sporting style stocks. Unless Noted!

This price includes a completely finished drop-in stock with Pachmayr Presentation recoil pad installed at 13.5 inch LOP, Uncle Mikes sling swivel studs and a black textured paint. All stocks are inletted for factory original receiver and barrel contours.

I'm gonna phone 'em tomorrow.

McMillan stocks are arguably the best stocks made. Their construction far surpasses any other stock in production that I have used. Because of the quality of their construction, they are inherently more accurate than the majority of custom stocks, and essentially all factory stocks available. They are virtually indestructable, yet if you do manage to damage them, McMillan will replace them.

That being said, are they worth the extra $400??? It all depends on how much 'quality' is worth to you. But the real advantage comes only after pillar and glass bedding.

HS makes a great stock as well, close to McMillan, but not quite there. But they just don't feel right in my hands.

I have had both the mcmillan and the Bell and carlson medalist. I like the MAC finish much beeter and the weight is alot lighter. the B&C feels very substantial and is $100 less expensive from the get to.