lrshooting
03-02-2015, 01:00 PM
I cannot comment on barrel choices. I run a factory 26" .308 varmint taper barrel on my rig. I'm sure I could probably take it from a 1/2 MOA rifle to a 1/4 MOA rifle with a good barrel, but I'm happy where I'm at now in that regard.
My rifle came with the factory Tupperware stock that I quickly swapped out for a Bell & Carlson Tactical Medalist. I liked the B&C but wanted a bit more. I ended up hacking on it; adding a raised cheek piece, shaving off the front "wings", and texturing the grip areas. With skim bedding it was shooting lights out . . . but I wanted a detachable magazine! After adding up the cost of the stock, the mods I did to it, and the cost of detachable bottom metal hardware, I discovered that I was in the same ballpark of an entry-level chassis system. I ended up selling off my B&C and bought a McRee's chassis. The modularity of the chassis and the ability to accept AI magazines make it money well spent.
Along that same line, we recently built up a Savage rifle in .223 for my son to shoot in the matches. I bought a Boyd's Tacticool for it, pillared and bedded it, and again added my raised cheek piece mod. I ordered the factory bottom metal direct from Savage to convert it over to the detachable magazine set-up. Although the cost of the stock, mods, and bottom metal don't quite get to the same dollar figure as what I would have done to the B&C to add bottom metal.
Take a look:
Bell & Carlson = $250
Detachable Bottom Metal (from one of the reputable aftermarket makers) = @ $250
Mods to make the stock more usable = @ $50
Total = $550
Boyds Tacticool = $100
Detachable Bottom Metal (from one of the reputable aftermarket makers) = @ $250 / Savage Factory DBM = @ $100
Stock Mods (Raised Cheek Piece / bedding / pillars - all DIY) = $50
Total = either $250 with the Savage factory DBM or $400 with the aftermarket DBM
I think that, going through the work I've done to make either of the stocks more shootable/accurate, I can see how going with the chassis set-up from the get go is money well spent. I do like tinkering and messing with DIY, but I've finally realized the benefits of a chassis. I was happy to see that an un-bedded chassis (you can skim bed if you're not happy with the accuracy out of the box) didn't negatively affect the accuracy of my .308. Still a 1/2 MOA rifle if I do my part.
Sounds like how I am...I cant stand buying things when I can make/modify them better myself. Not to say that a 1000 dollar McMillian isn't a lot better because it is when it comes to durability, weight, and finish, but for the budget guy, I think Boyds has it cornered if you are willing to do DIY stuff.
My rifle came with the factory Tupperware stock that I quickly swapped out for a Bell & Carlson Tactical Medalist. I liked the B&C but wanted a bit more. I ended up hacking on it; adding a raised cheek piece, shaving off the front "wings", and texturing the grip areas. With skim bedding it was shooting lights out . . . but I wanted a detachable magazine! After adding up the cost of the stock, the mods I did to it, and the cost of detachable bottom metal hardware, I discovered that I was in the same ballpark of an entry-level chassis system. I ended up selling off my B&C and bought a McRee's chassis. The modularity of the chassis and the ability to accept AI magazines make it money well spent.
Along that same line, we recently built up a Savage rifle in .223 for my son to shoot in the matches. I bought a Boyd's Tacticool for it, pillared and bedded it, and again added my raised cheek piece mod. I ordered the factory bottom metal direct from Savage to convert it over to the detachable magazine set-up. Although the cost of the stock, mods, and bottom metal don't quite get to the same dollar figure as what I would have done to the B&C to add bottom metal.
Take a look:
Bell & Carlson = $250
Detachable Bottom Metal (from one of the reputable aftermarket makers) = @ $250
Mods to make the stock more usable = @ $50
Total = $550
Boyds Tacticool = $100
Detachable Bottom Metal (from one of the reputable aftermarket makers) = @ $250 / Savage Factory DBM = @ $100
Stock Mods (Raised Cheek Piece / bedding / pillars - all DIY) = $50
Total = either $250 with the Savage factory DBM or $400 with the aftermarket DBM
I think that, going through the work I've done to make either of the stocks more shootable/accurate, I can see how going with the chassis set-up from the get go is money well spent. I do like tinkering and messing with DIY, but I've finally realized the benefits of a chassis. I was happy to see that an un-bedded chassis (you can skim bed if you're not happy with the accuracy out of the box) didn't negatively affect the accuracy of my .308. Still a 1/2 MOA rifle if I do my part.
Sounds like how I am...I cant stand buying things when I can make/modify them better myself. Not to say that a 1000 dollar McMillian isn't a lot better because it is when it comes to durability, weight, and finish, but for the budget guy, I think Boyds has it cornered if you are willing to do DIY stuff.