Hunting/Hiking with a chassis based rifle?
- Thread starter Slowbalt
- Start date
I mean, depending on what your'e looking at, they could be heavy and bulky relative to a typical hunting rifle (some precision rigs are really heavy). A good one will be more accurate, but you're not talking 1000 yard shots at bambi and most hunting rifles these days are accurate enough so there's no huge advantage for them. They look really cool.
That said, if you're budget-constrained and really want one, and can't afford both a chassis gun and a good dedicated hunting rifle, you could do it. It's just a matter of physical conditioning. An extra 10-12lbs wouldn't be a big deal to me but I train 10-12 times per week. Some guy that's out of breath going up the stairs may feel differently about the extra weight.
That said, if you're budget-constrained and really want one, and can't afford both a chassis gun and a good dedicated hunting rifle, you could do it. It's just a matter of physical conditioning. An extra 10-12lbs wouldn't be a big deal to me but I train 10-12 times per week. Some guy that's out of breath going up the stairs may feel differently about the extra weight.
I don't have a chassis on my hunting rifle (Tikka T3X) but before my next hunt I plan to throw it in the new HNT26 chassis that MDT is releasing this summer. That or the XRS. Not sure yet. Probably will be the HNT26 as it's been designed as a hunting chassis. But it is projected to be like twice the price of an XRS so there's that factor. Once the HNT26 actually gets into production then I can get my hands on one and decide which one to go with.
The reason I'm upgrading to a chassis is purely for aesthetics. I think my factory synthetic stock looks kinda boring and I want to spice it up. Plus one of my hunting buddies always craps on anything remotely "tacticool" so I figure it'll get a good rise out of him. Then of course with a chassis you should get some improvement in accuracy and the added bells and whistles like a cheek riser and adjustable LOP. Some can be lightweight as well but I imagine most factory stocks would be lighter.
The only cons really are some extra weight and folk commenting on how it's somehow not a proper hunting rifle in their mind.
The reason I'm upgrading to a chassis is purely for aesthetics. I think my factory synthetic stock looks kinda boring and I want to spice it up. Plus one of my hunting buddies always craps on anything remotely "tacticool" so I figure it'll get a good rise out of him. Then of course with a chassis you should get some improvement in accuracy and the added bells and whistles like a cheek riser and adjustable LOP. Some can be lightweight as well but I imagine most factory stocks would be lighter.
The only cons really are some extra weight and folk commenting on how it's somehow not a proper hunting rifle in their mind.
MDT has the HNT26 listed at $1299! https://mdttac.com/ca_en/hnt26-chassis-system.html
Its really nice looking, but damn its not cheap... It is also super light in comparison though - they claim the HNT26 comes as light as 26oz (1.63lbs) whereas the XRS has a listed weight of 3.9lbs.
The OP raises an interesting question. I too would like to know how many people actually hunt with a chassis rifle, and I'd like to add a few questions. Do you have other rifles to hunt with but take your chassis rifle anyways? Can you describe the type of hunting you do with a chassis rifle?
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
I hunted spring bear this 2020 season with my Howa 1500 in a chassis, the weight is the biggest issue. Mine is 12lbs iirc, fine if your on the quad looking for bears on power line cuts or in cut blocks but it gets old quick if you’re hiking around. Needless to say I hunted deer with it in a reg field stock, it’s much more fun to carry around that way.
The chassis might get sold, or just used for target shooting.
The chassis might get sold, or just used for target shooting.
I don’t currently, but am in the process of putting one together as a dedicated predator/light deer rifle. For me the advantages were the folding ability, the reduced overall length making it easier to carry on a pack. Weight wise it will be about ten pounds which is right in the middle compared to my traditionally stocked rifles.
I drag my Savage Stealth around. Its heavy but not ultra heavy. As mentioned earlier they are very cold on the hands, the only other thing is at least for mine, is that you have to watch that the mag release does not get hit when slinging it on and off your shoulder. I also run a 5 round mag. If I had more funds I would try an XRS chassis. For me hiking around is getting hard on my knees and back, I find myself looking for a great spot, and letting the rifle do the walking now.
elimsprint
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kelowna, BC
My main hunting rifle right now is a Howa Mini, 6.5 Grendel in an MDT LSS series 1 chassis. It weighs less than a pound more than the stock rifle so not a really noticeable difference to me. I carry it every day on my hikes with the dogs, couple of miles, plus carry it when hunting by myself, many miles. Does it need to be in a chassis, no, but I like the looks and feel of the pistol grip plus the Magpul AFG I attach to the forend makes for a really comfortable shooting experience. Is it more accurate? Maybe a 1/4"@100yds so not much gain there. I am thinking of putting my Savage 110 in one of the new HNT26 stocks and re-barreling with a carbon fibre fast twist .243 but have not committed to that yet. The grendel has taken 2 deer and 5 coyotes in the last year so seems to work just fine for my needs.
ChromeArty
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Sunshine Coast (PR)
My main hunting rifle right now is a Howa Mini, 6.5 Grendel in an MDT LSS series 1 chassis. It weighs less than a pound more than the stock rifle so not a really noticeable difference to me. I carry it every day on my hikes with the dogs, couple of miles, plus carry it when hunting by myself, many miles. Does it need to be in a chassis, no, but I like the looks and feel of the pistol grip plus the Magpul AFG I attach to the forend makes for a really comfortable shooting experience. Is it more accurate? Maybe a 1/4"@100yds so not much gain there. I am thinking of putting my Savage 110 in one of the new HNT26 stocks and re-barreling with a carbon fibre fast twist .243 but have not committed to that yet. The grendel has taken 2 deer and 5 coyotes in the last year so seems to work just fine for my needs.
I like it! Dont fix it if it ain't broke!
Cons:
Weight
Metal stock is cold in the winter as already mentioned.
Pistol grip makes the rifle more bulky and less convient to sling on shoulder in some cases.
Pros:
The chassis usually accepts detachable mags making it quick to load/unload the rifle.
I won't put a chassis on just for hunting, but I would not hesitate to hunt with one either.
Weight
Metal stock is cold in the winter as already mentioned.
Pistol grip makes the rifle more bulky and less convient to sling on shoulder in some cases.
Pros:
The chassis usually accepts detachable mags making it quick to load/unload the rifle.
I won't put a chassis on just for hunting, but I would not hesitate to hunt with one either.
I don't, but I'm not opposed to it. I would definitely consider something from MDT based on other products of theirs. The LSS with a Rem 700 Compact in .308 dropped in would be a great package with an adjustable buttstock, one gun that I could set up for my son tomorrow, then quickly adjust for myself would actually be a pretty useful rifle.
WereWeasel
CGN Regular
- Location
- Albert County, N.B
I don’t have a chassis but I do drag an 11# rifle through the woods. Out of all the detractors of a one hunting rifle over the other is the relationship between the sling swivels and the front swivel to the muzzle. You can train carry a 20# rifle but it’s no fun threading through the woods with a barrel hanging up on everything because you can’t adjust the sling enough to get the gun to fit within your silhouette. I think that’s the best reason to hunt with a chassis is finding that sweet spot to carry without putting a bunch of holes in your stock and forward carry is a nice option too.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
It gets old pretty fast if you do any hiking, I’ll take a rifle with a heavier composite stock like an HS Precision over a chassis for actually walking through the woods. Ergonomic are better from my experience with both, if you’re in a truck or on a quad or sitting in wait then it’s not so bad. They both have a place, and personal preference is always a factor. Sometimes I just feel like hunting with a certain gun regardless of how suited it is for how I’ll be hunting that day, where you hunt and what distances you shoot game at are a factor as well I’d expect. In my area I’ve never shot an animal over 100y, so a chassis is kind of overkill if you ask me. I took mine bear hunting because I didn’t want to swap stocks and re zero it, as well as the novelty of hunting with it.
Cons are generally
Heavy
Cold
Sharp protruding edges
loud when hit by branches ect
Pros are often
Some people shoot them better than traditional style stocks
Slightly more stable in adverse conditions
Look great( has that really cool factor)
For me all the cons go against what a hunting rifles should be. Chassis are great for comp shooting hunting style stocks are great for hunting..there can be some cross over but it really depends on your specific uses
Heavy
Cold
Sharp protruding edges
loud when hit by branches ect
Pros are often
Some people shoot them better than traditional style stocks
Slightly more stable in adverse conditions
Look great( has that really cool factor)
For me all the cons go against what a hunting rifles should be. Chassis are great for comp shooting hunting style stocks are great for hunting..there can be some cross over but it really depends on your specific uses
In other words, a great truck gun is about all.
Grizz
Not what I said. I used to walk all over the place, with a lighter rifle, my knees can't do 60 km hikes in a weekend in the hills or snow anymore, I can walk in a km or so with a chassis to a great spot and post up. I have a nice A-bolt that is balanced and nice and light. I leave it at home however.
If I was just going to do a short hike in and set up, say a km or less, than a heavier chassis rifle wouldn't be a big concern but I usually try and get farther back in than that where I hunt as that is where I find the animals and fewer other hunters. My knee's have issues too but I still can get in a 8-10km hunt some days and not be completely spent if I don't pack along a ton of gear so that means a lighter rifle for me. All bets are off if I get a animal down as then the work begins and my knees won't be real happy when its over.
If you have a nice posting spot that isn't that far of a walk then that's perfect for a chassis rifle hunt I think.
