For the sake of specifics, I'm asking/discussing this regarding the standard large ring Mod '98 Mauser, commercial or military. Is there really a good alternative to McMillan for a really good synthetic stock? In my opinion the McMillan is plenty good, and works out to a completely satisfactory finished handle.

Although they are just about out of my price range, when I want to take on a project, through completion, I know that if I just go ahead and spend the money on a McMillan, then I won't have regrets, and want to upgrade later. That has happened a few times and I could have actually saved money by going with McMillan in the first place. I have never been dissappointed with a McMillan other than the cost.

So, with McMillan as the standard of measure, is there anything comperable, better or worse?

Maybe related, maybe not - what about the Hogue, and the Butler Creek, and the Bell and Carlson? There's always the temptation to go with something cheaper, and available right now. Maybe mentioning them opens a can of worms. I dunno for sure. Maybe bedding compound will stick to the first two, after all. But in my observation, the Bell and Carlson is junk compared to McMillan. The Hogue stocks I have seen for the '98 have a barrel channel that leaves a big gap with any contour smaller than #4.

OK, addendum question/discussion: McMillan offers the '98 stock 95% inletted, which is a good thing. The stock can thus be finished inletted and bedded for a specific action & barrel, and the bottom metal variations, and the bolt handle notch cut specific to the angle of the dangle. So, my question is whether to get the molded in color, or the bondoed unfinished blank, and send it back later for paint, as the final step to completion? The initial cost of the stock is the same whether molded in color initally, or painted later at no additional charge except shipping.

Surely lots of you guys have opinion and experience on this one?

KB