.223 build - Chassis vs stock, Rem700 vs Vanguard?

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Murdy

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I'm in the very early stages of planning a semi custom build for a bench rest rifle with a little bit of coyote potential behind her. The unofficial plan is to swap out the Stock, trigger and likely the barrel.

The other day I saw a good deal on a Vanguard so I jumped on it. Sadly, as I'm looking for a stock that floats my boat, the options are very limited for that action. There are a few options for chassis that I like, but a friend of mine (who hates chassis) swears that I'll be sacrificing accuracy if I don't go with a bedded glass stock (grayboe is what catches my eye). Sadly, Grayboe does not currently make a stock for the vanguard action... although they claim that they will be in the next year or so. Now that I've touched a Triggertech Diamond, I'd really like one of them, but same boat. They claim to be making one... someday.

So... a Remington 700 popped up. Much more in the way of options for everything, but a little more money for the rifle, truing and lapping, etc.

Now I'm in a dilemma. Keep the Vanguard, or abort the mission and switch to the 700?!?! Any thoughts on this?

Now for the actual question: Anybody out there have experience with the same build on a chassis vs a good quality stock? Real world comparisons? What kind of accuracy differences (if any) did you see? I'm also open to opinions... what's the better route? Chassis (like a MDT) or a Stock (Grayboe)???
 
I don't have any experience with Vanguards but tons with R700s. In reality, the 700 (or anything else in the same footprint) is the easy button with regards to compatibility/upgrades.

As far as accuracy differences between a bedded stock and a chassis, there shouldn't be any. Some people prefer the feel of a stock over a chassis but there shouldn't be any accuracy difference.
 
rugbydave said:
I don't have any experience with Vanguards but tons with R700s. In reality, the 700 (or anything else in the same footprint) is the easy button with regards to compatibility/upgrades.

As far as accuracy differences between a bedded stock and a chassis, there shouldn't be any. Some people prefer the feel of a stock over a chassis but there shouldn't be any accuracy difference.
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THIS ! Exactly Right ! jmo RJ
 
I find a chassis much more comfortable to shoot, can’t beat a pistol grip.
Rem 700 and a MDT would be my choice.
Lots of aftermarket support,easy barrel swaps.
 
HS precision makes a stock for the Weatherby/Howa if your going to be hunting coyotes and benching the rifle I would stick with a stock instead of a chassis just my two cents
 
Remington 700 would be my choice for aftermarket support. Not sure it's worth truing and lapping like you mentioned. I have KRG bravos and MDT ACCs in my safe. I like both. Bravo feels awesome to me and I sometimes prefer it over the ACC. ACC is amazing and super modular. No difference in accuracy between the 2 in any of my barreled actions. None are bedded
 
If only I could shoulder each of the stocks/chassis to see what feels best before pulling the trigger. I shouldered a sako s20 recently and absolutely loved how it felt. I was going to order one in 223, but was crushed to find out that they don't make it... So here I am! Haha

I'm getting mixed results from the google machine on accuracy... Sadly.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the bravos falls under the chassis category as well, yes? I'm definitely looking at both of those as options, but the Grayboe line is what really stands out to me. It looks like they should feel similar to the sako s20 that broke my heart! ��
 
I guess the bravo is considered a chassis. But it has the feel of a stock. I had an MDT xrs as well. I like the feel of of the grip angle and palm swell of the bravo. XRS felt good in the hand as well. I find it a bit ugly in comparison. No experience with grayboe
 
If a chassis adversely affected accuracy you wouldn't see them in competitions. You won't see many Greyboe stocks in a PRS match.

I like the feel of the XRS. Not cold to hands like an ACC is in the cold.
 
I looked on the krg site and didn't see this... What is the bravo made of? Plastic or fiberglass? I'm assuming plastic as they didn't say. Same for the XRS I assume?

That said, I think I'm leaning fairly heavily towards McMillan or Grayboe depending on which rifle gets built.
 
mikeelliot said:
If a chassis adversely affected accuracy you wouldn't see them in competitions. You won't see many Greyboe stocks in a PRS match.

I like the feel of the XRS. Not cold to hands like an ACC is in the cold.
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What do you figure the reasoning for that is?
 
I would first ask what are your weight limitations and your accuracy expectations?
I am firmly in the laminated wood stock crew when it comes to pure accuracy , but depending on the style they can be too heavy when it comes to lugging them around .
Chassis guns are generally a bit easier to work with in a field condition and take quite a beating as well.
As far as Remington versus Howa goes, there is no comparison when looking for accesories, Remington wiins every tiime.
Cat
 
Accessory wise, no comparison, there are far more options for the 700 action. Accuracy potential, if you add a good barrel and trigger to each, and drop them into a good stock, the accuracy potential between the 700 and Howa action should be the same. I personally prefer a good stock, like a McMillan or Manners stock, properly bedded, and you can get a McMillan for either action.
 
Murdy said:
I looked on the krg site and didn't see this... What is the bravo made of? Plastic or fiberglass? I'm assuming plastic as they didn't say. Same for the XRS I assume?

That said, I think I'm leaning fairly heavily towards McMillan or Grayboe depending on which rifle gets built.
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Both the Bravo and the XRS have aluminum "backbones" and polymer panels. Basically they are chassis but with external polymer panels to give them more of the feel of a stock with the convenience of not having to bed them. Having had both, I prefer the XRS but that's me. Can't go wrong with a nice bedded McMillan either. Bit of a jump in price though, haha.
 
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iron cat said:
I would first ask what are your weight limitations and your accuracy expectations?
I am firmly in the laminated wood stock crew when it comes to pure accuracy , but depending on the style they can be too heavy when it comes to lugging them around .
Chassis guns are generally a bit easier to work with in a field condition and take quite a beating as well.
As far as Remington versus Howa goes, there is no comparison when looking for accesories, Remington wiins every tiime.
Cat
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I'm far less worried about weight than I am about accuracy. This will primarily be a bench gun. Occasionally looking for Wylie coyote. Fur accuracy, I demand sub 1/2moa. I dream of closer to 1/4moa (yes, I know that's a stretch).

Wood, eh? Care to share some brands that you suggest?
 
rugbydave said:
Both the Bravo and the XRS have aluminum "backbones" and polymer panels. Basically they are chassis but with external polymer panels to give them more of the feel of a stock with the cnvenience of not having to bed them. Having had both, I prefer the XRS but that's me. Can't go wrong with a nice bedded McMillan either. Bit of a jump in [rice though, haha.
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For sure... The price tags are certainly a consideration. The ones that catch my eye (mcmillan, grayboe and mdt ess) all seem to be roughly the same price tag. Ugh.
Maybe I should be looking into your suggestions as well.
 
Murdy said:
For sure... The price tags are certainly a consideration. The ones that catch my eye (mcmillan, grayboe and mdt ess) all seem to be roughly the same price tag. Ugh.
Maybe I should be looking into your suggestions as well.
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Yeah, I mean those are all nice options (I have a couple ESS and have shot Grayboe and McM as well). The decision between chassis and bedded stock is pretty personal. One of the big upsides with a chassis (for me) is the ability to just swap around barrelled actions from chassis to chassis based on my needs (as all my bolt guns are rem 700 footprint). I do think the XRS is the best "budget" option out there these days though.
 
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