Choosing a stock for a new build

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MartyK2500

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My new build is coming along good,

Ordered a 26'' M24 6.5x47 Lapua barrel from Ryan at IBI,
Bighorn origin from Tom at Go Big Tactical,
Trigger tech special (I wish the diamond went to 2 1/4 lbs),
And am ordering an Insite arm heathens 6.5 with 3/4x24 threads this week,

I only have stock left to choose,
Since I already run an MDT ESS on my 308 build, I wanted something different.

So far I was looking between MDT ACC, KRG Whisky and the Manners stock.
But I am heavily leaning towards the Manners.

Never seen them in person, anyone run them and not regret their purchase?
I am also debating between the PRS1 and T4A models.

Shooting should be 80% NSCC practices and matches, 15% field shooting the gong, and 5% PRS.
 
I run the T5A (yes, I know not the model you're looking at) but I have handled a number of T4A's. I just find them considerably more comfortable than any chassis that I've picked up. Chassis' can be nice, but it's still like holding an aluminum block.

I do not regret my Manner's stock purchase at all. Only thing that's annoying is the wait time if you order one. Mine took about 8 months. There are a few places in Canada that keep a few in stock so give them a call and see if they have something you'd like.
 
If I were you, and you are happy with the ESS, I would get the same thing again, or at least something very similar like the ACC. I am a big fan of having as much commonality between multiple rifles as you can, keeps the ergonomics and operation the same and promotes muscle memory.
 
Clocked 92, 8 months is quite the wait time, but i will not be set up to shoot that gun before November by the time everything gets here and assembled, and my 2x 308s are my winter rifles I’ll keep the 6.5 for warm weather to slow down barre wear (vs shooting it all year long)
So in a sense i want it set up for april 2020, time is still on my side.

Alpheus, i get what you are saying and i did give it some taught.
This project is for something new and refreshing in the safe.
It’s the reason why ACC is lower on my list right now so i get to try something different.
I do enjoy my ESS and wish I’d know a local manners i could get behind before spending that amount on it though.
 
I've barely handled a Manners but I have 2 ESS and 2 ACCs. If you were leaning more heavily towards PRS, I'd say get the ACC. Since that's not your goal and you're leaning more towards a stock than a chassis, I'd say talk to Insite about what they have in stock from Manners and/or McMillan. I can tell you that if you like the ergos of the ESS, you'll like the A5. The new A10 (with a shorter than normal lop) also looks nice, not that you can go wrong with an A3, A3-5 or A5 though. Another one to consider is a Foundation stock. They're made out of micarta and I've heard great things about them. I believe that they're drop in as well, so no bedding (just like a Manners with mini-chassis). If it were me, I'd try and get my hands on a couple to feel them out first.
 
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rugbydave said:
I've barely handled a Manners but I have 2 ESS and 2 ACCs. If you were leaning more heavily towards PRS, I'd say get the ACC. Since that's not your goal and you're leaning more towards a stock than a chassis, I'd say talk to Inside about what they have in stock from Manners and/or McMillan. I can tell you that if you like the ergos of the ESS, you'll like the A5. The new A10 (with a shorter than normal lop) also looks nice, not that you can go wrong with an A3, A3-5 or A5 though. Another one to consider as a Foundation stock. They're made out of micarta and I've heard great things about them. I believe that they're drop in as well, so no bedding (just like a Manners with mini-chassis). If it were me, I'd try and get my hands on a couple to feel them out first.
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Will also look into McMillan,
Their A5s are what i had in mind for a stock.
What i like about the manners that GBT carries, they have a barricade stop, as i figure giving PRS a chance in 2020 as my work should finally allow me a bit of off time.

I looked at the foundation stock, just looking at it and it feels heavyweight already.
They are nice but they are not what i am looking for.

I will try to get behind a few models indeed, before spending 2K on something.
 
I had a Manners T4A and it felt great, I've also tried MDT, Masterpiece Arms, Mcmillan. The Manners is a nice stock I still have one. I prefer the feel of a stock over a chassis. I'm using a Foundation stock right now and I love it. It looks and feels incredible.

Give Insite Arms a call they have lots of options in stock so you don't have to wait months

I don't think a Foundation weighs much more than a Manners, weight is a good thing for PRS though that's why everyone is running heavy barrels

Foundation makes a light version with honeycomb pattern cut in the forend

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There's a lot of great ways to go. Personally, I'm a chassis guy when it comes to target/precisions rifles. I just picked up an ACC, and my TL3 will be going into once I scrape up the money to get a CKYE Pod. It really comes down to personal preference, and you won't go wrong either way. The great thing with MDT is the 30-day customer satisfaction guarantee. Buy it, try it, and if your not happy within 30 days send it back to get your original purchase minus shipping back! I also love my ESS and I'm not sure the ACC is going to replace it fully but since I have a spare 700 anyways it will be put to good use!
 
I am currently rebuilding my 30hate and using a MDT ACC chassis.
Lots of great features, but the built in full length ARCA rail is sweet!!!
Many of my shooting buddies are using the ACC and are extremely happy with it.
 
After running my ESS in 308 for 2 years and loving it,
I decided to go ahead and try the Manners PRS-1 composite stock.
Got it from Tom at Go Big Tactical, great guy to deal with.
Don't have an action in yet, but dry fitting it prone in my living room has got my expecting good things out of this stock.
I would say the cheekrest is definitely a comfort level a few points above the ESS.
I prefer the ESS mag release.
Time will tell, I will wait before bedding it, to be sure my choice of action and stock are right for me.

So far looking good but don't want to plummet value by bedding it, as I may as well not like action or stock down the road, but I doubt it I think I made solid choices this time around.

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Shawn_338 said:
Why would you bed a mini chassis?
Click to expand...

To be honest I taught it was the thing to do.
I did it with 2x ESSs.

One made very little difference,
The other prevented the bolt from an Ultimatum Deadline from binding when actions screws we're torqued.

I was under the impression i'd have to bed this one too.
 
I don't think you'll have to bed the mini chassis, the only reason you had to with the ultimatum was because they aren't a true R700 footprint so they bound up when torqued down. Hence they you needed to bed or put a washer on the rear action screw. With the bighorn you should have zero problems.
 
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