Not sure if this should go here or in Gunsmithing.

I have 2 Rugers, one is a LH SS/Lam 375 Ruger
The other is a LH Mark II that is being re-barrelled to a 416 Taylor.

I want to re-stock both with a McMillan, which of the below 2 stocks would be better suited for my applications?
Both will have open sights, but both will see 99% use while being scoped.

Thanks for your time.



MARK II HUNTER

The Ruger Mark II Hunter has a monte carlo cheekpiece and a palm swell. It also has a small amount of cast off and cant, which makes for easier target acquisition. The forend of this stock is very narrow and will take up to a #4 barrel contour with a short barrel cylinder. The stock is available in right and left hand. For MKII actions only
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MARK II CLASSIC

The Mark II Classic is an American European design with a straight comb and a cheekpiece with a shadow line. The stock has a small amount of cast off as well as cant, which allows the shooter to get behind the scope more easily. It will take up to a #5 barrel contour. Available in right and left hand. For MKII actions only

classic -- what's the cost on that?

They have used those same patterns for various rifles for several years. I have two Win Mod 70s with the Hunter style stock, one in 375H&H and the other in 338WM. I really - really like them. Remember, that this "Hunter" style stock pattern is an exact copy of the Sako Hunter stock, (not 75, but earlier) modified only to accomodate different actions. This style and pattern of stock is arguably one of the top well designed hunting stocks ever. Sako offered it in 375 H&H, and I've never read or heard of a complaint.

I also have a FN Mauser in 30-06 with the Classic Style stock, which is the same pattern used for the Ruger, modified a little for the action, but still the same grip, butt and forend. I really - really like it too. I believe this stock is not a copy of anything, but a combination of the best features of the Classic style, and basically McMillan's design creation.

The cast off and cant is real, and really works just as they say it does. The Hunter has a palm swell which is great.

I have a stock just as pictured for the Ruger, the classic style, which hasn't yet had a barreled action bedded into it. It feels really good to shoulder.

It's a tuff choice. For smaller calibers, I might prefer the Hunter style. Really, truthfully, no matter what advice you get, the only way you are really going to know for sure is to try one of each. Go for the "Hunter" on the 375, and the "Classic" on the 416.

The Classic style is not a beefy stock, easy to get a grip on, and notice that the grip is more open. As I implied, one would think that there would be some significance to the way they shoulder and feel. I dunno, maybe I'm more adaptable to different style stocks than some, but I like both patterns about equal.

This is one of those dilemas that's gonna work out good either way.

KB

Classic...

them humpy back things just do not look right, imho.

Rich

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Classic...

them humpy back things just do not look right, imho.

Rich

Rich,
Since you haven't figured it out already, some stocks are made for function and fit first, and looks simply because they can.

The Remington "humpy back thing" hasn't drawn a lot of criticism over the years, and the refinments in the small details on this Hunter stock make the Rem stock, or any other plain old monte carlo style stock, seem simplistic.

KB

Just offering another option...

The Sako pattern stocks can be inletted for the Ruger actions - I think they charged me an extra $25 the last time for the tang modifications in the mold.

As I said, the "Hunter" stock is a Sako pattern stock, only now they have a mold set up especially for the Ruger, to accomodate the differences especially in the bottom metal, etc.

Years ago, they initially offered the Classic for the Sako, but now, same thing, they have a mold specifically for the Ruger. They also have molds, same style, for other actions, including the Mauser '98, and it looks like including the CZ medium action.

When I ordered my "Hunter" stocks for the Winchesters, they would do the special inletting thing for an extra charge. I just checked and see that the Sako Hunter style is not shown under Winchester, but under the "Sako Hunter" they say the stock can be used for Winchester.

I also have two "Sako Hunter" stocks that they inletted for FN Mauser actions, for extra charge, years ago.

Again, bear in mind, there are two Sako Hunter styles, one is a copy of the Sako 75. The "Hunter" for the Ruger, and those I'm talking about, are a copy from an earlier Sako pattern. I believe the Hunter 75 style is cloned for the Remington now, and it is a bulkier stock, designed for a heavier barrel, not as slim as the "Hunter" stock shown for the Ruger 77, or those on my Winchesters and Mausers.

KB

I like the classic stock myself. Just throwing something out on the McMillan stocks, if you get the swirled colors, a mixture of 1/3 med brown, 1/3 light brown, and 1/3 black can give it a look similar to a piece of walnut. Here's an example.

I like the lines of the classic stock.

For a big bore rifle, only the classic will do.

Have the Hunter for my LH M70. Would go back to that in a heartbeat. It fits me better than the straight comb.

It's not real easy to modify a snythetic stock, so can you handle both? If so, which one feels better? Will you be using a scope as the sighting system? If so, which one lines up naturally to that? Sometimes the shape of our hands and length of our fingers changes the way a stock feels, both through the grip and at the fore end. Same thing for our build and length of arms and neck. Are you a traditionalist, or more open to different approaches?
Just some questions that you might want to consider.
Bfly