Anyone ever hunted with a McMillan A-3

[dfarrell]

I have decided that my Sako AII .308 needs a new stock and had my heart set on an A-3. (Mainly for looks) I had planned to get it in the Edge construction to make it lighter weight and more appropriate for hunting. (This gun will be primarily a hunting rifle, but will also be used for some target shooting)

While talking about this I have received some negative feedback that this stock is inappropriate as a hunting stock and will reduce target acquisition time.

Wondering if anyone has used an A-3 for hunting purpose and what they thought?

Should I get the A-3 that my heart was set on or get a more appropriate stock like the Sako Varmint?

 

[Jerry D]

I'm not sure you can get an A-3 in edge construction but a guy did use the A-3 for a hunting/tactical rig over on 6mmbr.com.

 

[Jayph]

I'm not sure you can get an A-3 in edge construction but a guy did use the A-3 for a hunting/tactical rig over on 6mmbr.com.

Yes you can get any of the tactical stocks in edge fill it adds about 90 bucks or so to the price and only in painted finishes. My A-3 isnt here yet so I don't have much advice for the OP but I bought it for the same purpose.

 

[6mm Shooter]

I have hunted with my A-3 for the last 2 years and love it. I actually just ordered one with the edge fill for my new 270wsm I am getting built on a Lawton action. I like the A-3a lot more than my A-5s. The A-5s just seem so bulky.

 

[dpopl8r]

My main LR hunting rifle (300 RUM) wears a A3 and is perfect for this application. It certainly does not come to the shoulder like a shotgun, nor is it meant to. It is pretty much built for shooting prone or off shooting sticks.

 

[X-fan]

You need to spend some time thinking about exactly what you want to accomplish.
How far do you want to shoot?
How far will you shoot game?
Define the type of hunting you will be doing.
Be realistic!

I "hunt" with 16-18 pound A-5 stocked rifles, but this is from a fixed tactical position. With miles of view in front of me I might spent all day glassing when I am spotting game. Using this system/rifle I have found it is best not to move. Stocks like the A-5, A-3, and Baker Special are very heavy (even with the Edge stuff) and are definitely less responsive for close range shots. My 18+ pound 338 Edge has a 8-32X56 Nightforce...Not the ideal rig for jump shooting deer.

I also hunt with traditional looking rifles that are capable of taking game at fairly long range (lets say 500 yards).
The 500 yard gun handles like a regular sporter only it wears an adjustable 2.5-10X tactical scope. This one actually.

I practice to well over 1000 yards with this scope.
The stock you can live with out....IMHO the adjustable scope is mandatory.

The HTG hunting is the old marine sniper stock and might be the best compromise...If that is what you are looking for.

 

[dfarrell]

You need to spend some time thinking about exactly what you want to accomplish.
How far do you want to shoot?
How far will you shoot game?
Define the type of hunting you will be doing.
Be realistic!

I "hunt" with 16-18 pound A-5 stocked rifles, but this is from a fixed tactical position. With miles of view in front of me I might spent all day glassing when I am spotting game. Using this system/rifle I have found it is best not to move. Stocks like the A-5, A-3, and Baker Special are very heavy (even with the Edge stuff) and are definitely less responsive for close range shots. My 18+ pound 338 Edge has a 8-32X56 Nightforce...Not the ideal rig for jump shooting deer.

I also hunt with traditional looking rifles that are capable of taking game at fairly long range (lets say 500 yards).
The 500 yard gun handles like a regular sporter only it wears an adjustable 2.5-10X tactical scope. This one actually.

I practice to well over 1000 yards with this scope.
The stock you can live with out....IMHO the adjustable scope is mandatory.

The HTG hunting is the old marine sniper stock and might be the best compromise...If that is what you are looking for.

I think you are right. The more I think about it the more a hunting style stock makes more sense. The longest shot I would be taking while hunting will probably be no more then 200yards and I would have to take the shot standing. I need the gun to be as light as possible at that time!! I think the gun will look much better in a hunting stock next to a down moose, rather then sitting in a cool stock after a missed shot!!

 

[Jayph]

I think you are right. The more I think about it the more a hunting style stock makes more sense. The longest shot I would be taking while hunting will probably be no more then 200yards and I would have to take the shot standing. I need the gun to be as light as possible at that time!! I think the gun will look much better in a hunting stock next to a down moose, rather then sitting in a cool stock after a missed shot!!

You might want to look at this stock, If I didn't have the a-3 on the way I would be ordering this one.

If you get used to and like the type of pistol grip on the A2, A3, A4 and A5, then it's hard to go back to a conventional wrist bending normal pistol grip. So after being asked for it by many users we are just coming out with an A3 sporting/hunting stock. Looks quite like an A3 but with about 1 1/4" drop at heel(instead of 1/2") so you can shoot it standing and sitting, forearm about the same look but has finger groves running along the top so the rifle won't jump up out of your hand like the square sided A3 might when shooting offhand. Will take barrels up to a Remington Varmint or #5 type contour, and is for Remington and Rem. clone type ations. Mold is made, first prototypes are being inletted, and it feels nice. Probably won't be on the web-site for a month or so, but I'll try to get some photos up here as soon as I can.
No adjustments available, it's a hunting stock, and prices like the other hunting stocks instead of the tactical stocks.
#### at McMillan
(By the way, you guys are the first to hear about this.)

Forgot one thing, the sides of the butt are not flat and parallel like the A3, they are a bit more rounded like the HTG.
The A3 sporter is in the computer and is priced the same as the other hunting type stocks. You can order them any time now with all the normal color and finish options. In standard sporter fill they should run 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 lbs depending on inletting, and are available in EDGE technology with a painted finish and should finish about 1 3/4 lbs (havn't made one of these yet). We have made 4 so far, two are off to an OEM account for evaluation and the other two are being put together in the shop. May get to shoot one next week. I've got a couple more going thru now

1 3/4 pounds is lighter than my wood varmint stock. It will be the look you want and more designed for hunting than the tactical A-3. Have you shot hevier rifles off hand? It's different for everyone but I find light guns very wobbly and when I got a hevy rifle it was as close to being steady as a rock as I could get. I now own all heavy rifles. (10-12 lbs) I don't hunt mountains but walking through bush and hills is not uncommon for 4-6 miles a day. I don't mind the wieght.

 

[Pickles]

You need to spend some time thinking about exactly what you want to accomplish.
How far do you want to shoot?
How far will you shoot game?
Define the type of hunting you will be doing.
Be realistic!

I "hunt" with 16-18 pound A-5 stocked rifles, but this is from a fixed tactical position. With miles of view in front of me I might spent all day glassing when I am spotting game. Using this system/rifle I have found it is best not to move. Stocks like the A-5, A-3, and Baker Special are very heavy (even with the Edge stuff) and are definitely less responsive for close range shots. My 18+ pound 338 Edge has a 8-32X56 Nightforce...Not the ideal rig for jump shooting deer.

I have to ask.

What is hunting from a "fixed tactical position"?

 

[dfarrell]

You might want to look at this stock, If I didn't have the a-3 on the way I would be ordering this one.

If you get used to and like the type of pistol grip on the A2, A3, A4 and A5, then it's hard to go back to a conventional wrist bending normal pistol grip. So after being asked for it by many users we are just coming out with an A3 sporting/hunting stock. Looks quite like an A3 but with about 1 1/4" drop at heel(instead of 1/2") so you can shoot it standing and sitting, forearm about the same look but has finger groves running along the top so the rifle won't jump up out of your hand like the square sided A3 might when shooting offhand. Will take barrels up to a Remington Varmint or #5 type contour, and is for Remington and Rem. clone type ations. Mold is made, first prototypes are being inletted, and it feels nice. Probably won't be on the web-site for a month or so, but I'll try to get some photos up here as soon as I can.
No adjustments available, it's a hunting stock, and prices like the other hunting stocks instead of the tactical stocks.
#### at McMillan
(By the way, you guys are the first to hear about this.)

Forgot one thing, the sides of the butt are not flat and parallel like the A3, they are a bit more rounded like the HTG.
The A3 sporter is in the computer and is priced the same as the other hunting type stocks. You can order them any time now with all the normal color and finish options. In standard sporter fill they should run 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 lbs depending on inletting, and are available in EDGE technology with a painted finish and should finish about 1 3/4 lbs (havn't made one of these yet). We have made 4 so far, two are off to an OEM account for evaluation and the other two are being put together in the shop. May get to shoot one next week. I've got a couple more going thru now

1 3/4 pounds is lighter than my wood varmint stock. It will be the look you want and more designed for hunting than the tactical A-3. Have you shot hevier rifles off hand? It's different for everyone but I find light guns very wobbly and when I got a hevy rifle it was as close to being steady as a rock as I could get. I now own all heavy rifles. (10-12 lbs) I don't hunt mountains but walking through bush and hills is not uncommon for 4-6 miles a day. I don't mind the wieght.

I cant wait to see a pic's of this stock!!!

 

[X-fan]

I have to ask.

What is hunting from a "fixed tactical position"?

In this case the term tactical refers to a few things.

- A position that allows multiple opportunities to view game while remaining undetected.
- Taking the time to setup the position to produce bench-rest accuracy from the rifle at ranges far exceeding normal hunting ranges.
- Often involves the use of a spotter.
- Usually spots like this are on high ground more or less devoid of vegetation or cover...Sometimes a hide must be built.
- We usually set up well before before dawn and don't move until we are sure there is nothing with big horns looking back.. Sometimes we are far away enough that game will just watch us walk away.....Once you move you are generally busted by the animal you really want.

- Sometimes this takes all day....Hence fixed.