Oryx Chassis Initial Thoughts

**celltech** · 03-12-2019, 08:35 PM

Just got in my long awaited Oryx chassis for a Savage 12FV transplant...so let's see what it looks like. When I started my Savage rifle adventure years ago the one thing I always wanted to improve was the stock. I always hated how flexy the Axis tupperware was and was and I quickly got rid of them. So I turned to Boyd's for some pretty laminate wood stocks. While I like the Boyd's price and customization options they always seem like another project. Next thing you know you are looking at pillars and bedding to firmly mount the action.

When I started on the 12FV craze I quickly tried out a B&C composite stock. Talk about plug and play. They felt like a bridge girder and the action fit like a glove with no needed modification. As my desire to shoot at longer distances started to grow I would look at a chassis system but the price always turned me away. When MDT announced their new budget Oryx line I was intrigued and took the plunge.

The chassis arrives in a plastic bag with 2 action screws, an eccentric drilled oval spacer that allows both 4.27" and 4.40" action screw spacing, a pre-inserted .25" length of pull spacer, adjustable cheek riser, instructions, and uhhh....that is it. So my thoughts...

1. It's heavy...With the LOP spacer installed it weighs 69.4oz. The stock is a 1 piece milled aluminum slab that is minimally covered in some cosmetic plastic. It looks to me that if they had the choice between strength or low weight, they went for extra metal. With the 24" barrel, empty 10rd mag, and Athlon TAC 6-24x50 scope I am at 13.34lbs.
2. The mill work on the aluminum spine is quite good. The anodizing does not appear that thick though. It feels more like an old M16 parkerized finish.
3. The plastic trim piece molding quality is acceptable. There are some obvious flash and mold marks. It mostly lines up with everything and is totally serviceable.
4. The recoil pad is more firm than soft. Not as hard as a stock Boyd's leather strap but not a Pachmayr either.
5. The magazine release paddle is huge and very positive. The spring is a torsion style wrapped around the pivot pin...not a cheap compression spring held in a tiny pocket.
6. The grip has a nice moulding with positive feel. It's a somewhat grippy firm rubber. Appears to be AR15 compatible although looking at some I have lying around an extended beavertail might need to be trimmed down.
7. The bottom of the fore grip is milled for Magpul M-LOK style accessories. At the very end is a drilled and tapped hole for a swivel stud, but none is provided.
8. At the bottom rear of the chassis is a QD hole for a sling.

So then I mounted my 12FV action with its x-caliber .243 varmint profile barrel...the instructions mention -0- about the eccentric spacer and its use. Recommended screw torque is 60 in/lbs or "snug plus 1/4 turn".

1. The action screws fit perfect. The front screw did not hit the bolt head...yeah!
2. Only the action itself actually sits on anything. The recoil lug bottom does not make contact.
3. It mounts like my B&C, very firm and positive. The action screws quickly reach firmness and you can tell that last 1/4 turn locks up tight...nothing is flexing.
4. The barrel milling relief is huge. A straight taper barrel would fit...and then some. This relief starts at the barrel nut and just continues on. If you like a tight, but not quite touching stock, this is not for you.
5. There is no real flex in the front end. You can squeeze the barrel down a smidge if you try, but it really is stiff.
6. The AICS magazines that I have fit very snugly. All I have is a 5 and 10 round Magpul. They both require a firm smack to seat if the bolt is closed. The 5 rounder rubs a bit on the front and back, but that could be fixed with some fine sandpaper. The feed lips *just* kiss the bolt head so no problems picking up the rounds.

So now to playing around with the mated action and chassis. One thing I notice is that either cycling the bolt or dropping the trigger gives you some "twanging". I think my wood Boyd's and composite B&C do a much better job of absorbing vibrations. Will this show up as a problem in shooting? I have no idea...

Overall I am pleased with this unit. I commend MDT/Oryx in bringing a cost effective chassis option to the masses. Hopefully I can get it out soon and see if it performs...

Attachment 5884 Attachment 5881 Attachment 5882 Attachment 5883 Attachment 5879 Attachment 5880 Attachment 5878 Attachment 5877 Attachment 5876

**DesertDug** · 03-13-2019, 08:27 AM

Great review, let us know how it shoots!

**Oxn316** · 03-17-2019, 01:15 PM

Any update on the chassis. I purchased one also but have not had the chance to shoot.

**Ryfulman** · 03-17-2019, 02:14 PM

That pinging sound you hear is because the assembly doesn’t touch anywhere,allowing that tone to play itself out. This is a good thing. It means the barrel/action assembly can freely oscillate,making finding a node more easily.

**celltech** · 03-17-2019, 06:42 PM

Took it out yesterday. Was working on 2 different bullets for my .243, the 108 gr Hornady ELD and a 107 gr Sierra. Put ~60 rounds through it and it shot beautifully. Had 2 sub 1/2 MOA groups and a 1/3 MOA with the 107s. The stock felt solid and very easy to work off of. I love the straighter grip and how you can really put -0- force on the chassis as you pull the trigger.

I only took the 5 round Magpul mag and it was tight and hard to seat. I need to just sand down the mould lines a tad and I think it would be much better. My 10 rounder seems to seat easier.

I am debating on pulling the plastic off and painting over the anodizing with some epoxy paint, just to give it a smoother look.

At any rate it didn't hurt my accuracy at all, and may have made it a tad batter. In fact it was shooting so good that I aimed for the push pin holding down my target and melted it into the backer. Still highly recommended!