Bell and Carlson. A worthwhile upgrade?

J

Jayph

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I was looking at the medalist hunting style stocks and was wondering if they are a good step up from factory plastic (remington)? Or do you have to go to an HS precision or McMillan to make it worth it.

The reason I ask is

B&C - 300
HS Precision - 550
McMillan - 600

I would like to re stock 3 rifles and if the B&C is a big enough upgrade from factory I could get 2 for the price of one, but I don't want to spend 300 and barely upgrade from factory.

Thanks.
 
I just put a B&C Medalist on my Vanguard, and it looks fantastic. Well worth the upgrade compared to the cheap factory tupperware stock.
 
Just picked one up from Rembo.
Pretty nice stock. I like the "grippiness" of it.
I've got Brown Precisions, HS Precision, Wildcat, McMillans and a few Rem takeoffs. Doesn't seem as stiff as these but I'm sure it will get the job done.

Now I just need a rifle for it.:D
 
I'd rather eat worms than own another Bell and Carlson.
I in fact have one in my basement that I would rather burn than give to someone.

10 or 15 years ago Guntech finished a new 416Rem just in time for me to develop a load for another Grizz hunt.
I shot 600 frantic rounds in three weeks in an attempt to get a reasonable load, but the best I could do was 3-4 inches with the odd wild flier.

After one particularly nasty range session I staggered into the gun shop where my buddy took one look at the rifle and announced "the bedding is gone" and pointed to the floating barrel that was no longer floating!

Nearly $1,000.00 Barnes X bullets and misc. components shot down range, and one very serious gun headache later I discovered the reason for Guntech's dislike for these stocks.
Did I mention the rifle was under 8 pounds?
Did I mention the short grip on the B&C caused a permanent floating bone chip on my knuckle from the trigger guard smashing in to it?

A few months later the action was sitting in a new McMillan....the results were 3/4 to 1 inch groups....Up until we recently pulled the barrel (to build my next dream) it would rip little holes.

Ask Guntech what he thinks of Bell and Carlson. :nest:
 
X-fan said:
I'd rather eat worms than own another Bell and Carlson.
I in fact have one in my basement that I would rather burn than give to someone.
Click to expand...

How do you really feel?:p

I may be wrong, but I think the style of stock that you have is not what they currently manufacture. Does it have a large butt and built-in sling loops? Have you got a pic?

The medalist I have is a pretty good stock for the $$. And I have had no issues with it on my .338WM.
 
X-fan said:
I'd rather eat worms than own another Bell and Carlson.
I in fact have one in my basement that I would rather burn than give to someone.

10 or 15 years ago Guntech finished a new 416Rem just in time for me to develop a load for another Grizz hunt.
I shot 600 frantic rounds in three weeks in an attempt to get a reasonable load, but the best I could do was 3-4 inches with the odd wild flier.

After one particularly nasty range session I staggered into the gun shop where my buddy took one look at the rifle and announced "the bedding is gone" and pointed to the floating barrel that was no longer floating!

Nearly $1,000.00 Barnes X bullets and misc. components shot down range, and one very serious gun headache later I discovered the reason for Guntech's dislike for these stocks.
Did I mention the rifle was under 8 pounds?
Did I mention the short grip on the B&C caused a permanent floating bone chip on my knuckle from the trigger guard smashing in to it?

A few months later the action was sitting in a new McMillan....the results were 3/4 to 1 inch groups....Up until we recently pulled the barrel (to build my next dream) it would rip little holes.

Ask Guntech what he thinks of Bell and Carlson. :nest:
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I woudl use a B&C stock for a .416. A heavy kicker like that should get a tough stock, ther eis a reason why any wooden stock for a hard kicker uses crossbolts, bedding etc to keep the stock in good shape.

It's also possible that they have improved thier stocks in the last 15 years.

I bedded my 7mmRM Ruger in a B&C stock (the cheap one, from WSS, about $200 at the time) and it will shoot teeny groups with TSX, Accubonds, Partitions and about MOA with Hornady interlocks. Even with my poor bedding skills!:D

If the rifle in question is .375 H&H and up, I'd suggest the macmillan. If it's in the 30-06/7RM/300WM class, the B&C should be fine.
 
14 shots, 14 different powder charges, B&C stock, crudely bedded by me.




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blargon said:
I may be wrong, but I think the style of stock that you have is not what they currently manufacture. Does it have a large butt and built-in sling loops? Have you got a pic?
Click to expand...

I had one of these on a Ruger .300 WM, a great stock! No bedding done and it shot great groups and tamed recoil better than the factory wood stock.
 
Speaking from experience I would would opt for the best stock you can afford, don't cheap out cause in the end you will pay more then the intial investment.
McMillan are #1 for a reason, go with them if you can handle the 8 month wait.

Cheers!!
 
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scott_r said:
Speaking from experience I would would opt for the best stock you can afford, don't cheap out cause in the end you will pay more then the intial investment.
McMillan are #1 for a reason, go with them if you can handle the 8 month wait.

Cheers!!
Click to expand...

I have an a-5 here and the quality is good the wait wasn't bad it's just that hunting rifles have always worked for me with factory stocks and never new they sucked till I found the internet :D So if the Bell and Carlson is a big step up from them I should be more than happy and save a few pennies too.
 
Ive got medalist's on a 308 Norma and a 9.3x62 and am perfectly happy with both, full length 6061 T6 bedding blocks , good pads and decent glass for a reasonable price. Both shoot sub moa and neither was bedded just dropped in and torqued with a bit of locktite 242.
I'd buy another for sure if I needed one
 
Ive owned a few B&C Medalists and would not hesitate to pick up another. They're a quality stock at a good price.
 
I don't particularly like B&C stocks. They're okay, but they feel cheap in my hands when compared to HS Precision and McMillan. Those rifles that had B&C stocks were either sold or the stocks swapped out for HS Precision/McMillan or laminates. However, each to his own. If you like a B&C and it feels right to you/fits you right, then have at it. For me, there are better options out there and I'm willing to pay a little more to end up with the product I actually like and want.
 
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