Folding chassis - ELR build

Unholysavage

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The 338 Lapua barrel for my Defiance Ruckus ELR build arrived in the mail yesterday, so it's time to decide on a chassis.

The new barrel is 31" long, so I'm looking at chassis with folding stocks. What I'm wanting is solid lockup when unfolded that stays solid.
For MDT ESS/ACC owners - has your folding hinge developed any play over time? I've seen mixed reviews on the 'hide, which has me hesitant.

Cadex folders apparently have a cam that's supposed to keep things tight forever. Cadex owners - is this reality or marketing? Right now their Lite Competition chassis is top of my list but it seems that very few people have one. Very little mentioned on then online.

Anyone have any other suggestions?
I haven't fully written off going with a fixed stock, but by running a folder I can use existing rifle cases and it would be easier to transport and store.

Any feedback would be appreciated!
 
I have a .300NM (29.5" Krieger MTU/heavy Varmint hybrid chambered by Insite Arms) in an MDT ESS with the folding stock. It's remained solid for a few years now. I love that rifle, it's just a hammer!

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Cadex folding is solid. I have had a few of them from the dual strike to the lite strike and even the lite competition. Solid Chassis.

MDT ESS looks decent. Have only owned the oryx. Looked into one a few times. The only concern I ever had was their folding system came later and you just have to be sure it doesn’t negatively affect LOP. The early ones it was a concern. The newer stuff likely not. But worth making sure.

MPA. I had a hybrid with a folding stock. I really liked it. Folder was solid. Overall quality was top notch. In your case a BA or larger variant than the hybrid would be better due to barrel length/caliber etc. also had a built in Arca rail. Put a MDT bipod on it and it rocks. Only negative is it’s built for competition so open top won’t protect your barrel and the built in level can sometimes be heard if the gun moves around. The bead makes a slight noise when it hits end of bubble. Also the mag/well is rattle. Again good if competition but too noisy for hunting/tactical. You would have to add something to address the battle rattle. The level is minor. Just don’t shake the gun around.
 
One thing about the folding stocks that several of our range members have mentioned, is that cleaning is quite a bit easier once the butt stock is folded out of the way.
That for sure is a nice feature, because finding an extra long cleaning rod can be a PIA at times, especially with some of the longer bore guides on the market.
Cat
 
The lockup of the folding mechanism on the Cadex chassis is absolutely excellent. Folding stocks, as mentioned also help immensely when cleaning.
 
Thanks everyone!

Rugby - your 300NM build was a big driver behind deciding on building a boomer. I have a 300 PRC Bergara that's been excellent, but from the first trigger pull I immediately wanted more. at some point I want to get a 300 Norma barrel spun up, I have a pile of 230 Bergers sitting here for a NM. but I just built a 6GT on an Origin a few months ago, so I need to pace myself haha.
6MT - that's really good info to have, I didn't realize the MDT folding adapters would work on Cadex chassis. Can you get a LOP in the 13.75" range with that adapter? I can't find LOP of any of Cadex's chassis.
Epoxy - LOP was a definite concern when looking into the MDT folder, but after measuring myself and my rifles a LOP of 13.75" is perfect for me. But definitely a good point to bring up, especially with something that has higher recoil. I've had guns that don't fit, and they weren't fun. I've been lusting over a MPA Matrix, as they make them with 3.85" CIP magwells, but the forends on their BAs is pretty short (even with the spigot). not a deal breaker, but with MDT and Cadex both being Canadian I've been leaning more that way for the moment.
Cat - long cleaning rods are still a concern haha. I'm having trouble finding 36-40" Dewey rods in stock right now, my longest is only 30". I honestly thought finding Lapua brass would be the hardest part of this build but finding a long cleaning rod is haha.
 
My CDX-40 Shadow has over 2500 rounds of 375 Cheytac and 338EnABELR on it and the folding stock is still completely solid.

I did change the cheekpiece out to KRG, and still struggle to get a high-thumb shooting hand position on it, so check the ergonomics to make sure they work for you, but from a reliability standpoint I have had no trouble at all.

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That many rounds, with considerably bigger cartridges than the 338lm, definitely puts me more at ease. I've seen a couple of people complain about the cheekpiece, which KRG piece did you use? I had issues with shooting hand position with a RPR in the past, and found that the Anarchy Tuxedo grip and straight blade Timney helped on that platform. Maybe I'll get lucky this weekend at the range and someone will have theirs out for some exercise.
Thanks again to everyone who posted. Still haven't made a final decision but am leaning towards the Cadex.
 
I Frank-En-Steened a Normal KRG Overmolded onto the rear chassis, offsetting it to the right by about 12mm to help get me ot a more neutral neck position. Basically bolted the KRG to a piece of 1/16" hardened and then bolted that onto the cheekpiece mount.

You can see it in this pic:
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It is one of these:
https://www.gobigtactical.ca/?store-page=Kinetic-Research-Group-KRG-Overmolded-cheekpiece-p98456200

With the stock cheekpiece I had to roll my head way over to the right to get on the glass, and at these recoil levels...that was not long-term viable.
 

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Thanks everyone!

Rugby - your 300NM build was a big driver behind deciding on building a boomer. I have a 300 PRC Bergara that's been excellent, but from the first trigger pull I immediately wanted more. at some point I want to get a 300 Norma barrel spun up, I have a pile of 230 Bergers sitting here for a NM. but I just built a 6GT on an Origin a few months ago, so I need to pace myself haha.
6MT - that's really good info to have, I didn't realize the MDT folding adapters would work on Cadex chassis. Can you get a LOP in the 13.75" range with that adapter? I can't find LOP of any of Cadex's chassis.
Epoxy - LOP was a definite concern when looking into the MDT folder, but after measuring myself and my rifles a LOP of 13.75" is perfect for me. But definitely a good point to bring up, especially with something that has higher recoil. I've had guns that don't fit, and they weren't fun. I've been lusting over a MPA Matrix, as they make them with 3.85" CIP magwells, but the forends on their BAs is pretty short (even with the spigot). not a deal breaker, but with MDT and Cadex both being Canadian I've been leaning more that way for the moment.
Cat - long cleaning rods are still a concern haha. I'm having trouble finding 36-40" Dewey rods in stock right now, my longest is only 30". I honestly thought finding Lapua brass would be the hardest part of this build but finding a long cleaning rod is haha.

Pacing yourself is good, haha. At least with a .338 LM you're just a barrel away from a .300 NM. I ended up going that way (was originally planning on .338) because everything about running a Norma was about half the price of a .338 and the ballistics are actually better inside 2000 yards, which is about what I've had access to.
 
If I didn't have a 300 PRC I would have built a 300N on this action first. Thought I should "diversify" a little bit before leveling up my 30 cal haha.
Looking forward to getting it all put together, should be alot of fun!
 
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