McMillan Stock vs Accuracy International Chassis

Frew

Frew

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Im gettign a custom long range rifle built that I hope to use for competition shooting. Im torn between the McMillan A4 and the AI AX chassis. I would get the Mcmillan bedded but i believe i don't have to do that with the AI...? I like the look of both but there just so different, and there about the same price when everything is put together. and I won't get a chance to feel them before hand... with everything equal Is one or the other more accurate? or is one better than the other for some reason?

insight from people who have them would be great. and any pics of their builds so i can see what they might come out like... Im running a Lilja MUT or M40 barrel, .300WM. Just gotta decide and give the go ahead...
 
Im partial to the McMillians myself. Just something about the feel of such a solid stock. Never been a fan of the AI system. The A5 you can get varying weights of fill from heavy to light depending on what you like. Accuracy wise there wont be any difference. Both should be bedded to get the most out of them.
 
I'm using the new ax with .338 LM and love it. Great ergonomics and adjustability, a very solid system. I have yet to try a Mac
 
Get behind them both before you buy. They have a different feel, see which feels best to you. I prefer the Manners T4 or McMillan A5. But, I have big mitts and the grips on AI stocks just don't feel right. I dislike pistol grips in general...

You can get chassis for manners stocks so that you don't need to bed the action:
http://mannersstocks.com/mcs-bdl-dbm-mini-chassis/
 
I have owned both the AI AX chassis and the McMillan A5 (similar to the A4) and I sold the AI after my first range trip. I just couldn't get the ergonomics right for me and my tastes, the McMillan just suits me WAY better.

Having said that, the A5 is now gone too and I am using Boyd's laminate stocks in their Pro Varmint configuration which is similar to the A5. I like these stocks for their ergos and price, under $300 delivered to my door with adjustable cheek piece right from the factory. All that needs to be added is pillars and Devcon bedding, which I do myself. Just another option for you to consider.
 
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I'm having some issues with my AICS right now but I have always really liked my T-4A. I've only had one chassis system fit properly that I liked and after changing out a new barrelled action, it now needs fitment adjustments as well.
 
The only way to tell what is "best" for you is to get behind them for a bit.
My personal experience is that the A5 just fits... Everything felt natural instantly.
My AI took some getting used too... I was pretty doubtful that it would grow on me but it has over the years.
My Cadex Lite Strike is clearly my favorite and imho is the best chassis ever developed. My next build will be another Cadex...

Where are you located? I am sure someone will let you handle these to judge for yourself.

J
 
I've got the latest version of the AI AX chassis. Love it, especially since I'm tall and have long fingers. The new buttstock is nice and easy to adjust (although getting the allen key out from under the cheekpiece isn't... the ball retainer is really stiff). The pistol grip fits my hand very nicely and places my fingers at the right length for placement on the trigger.
 
Very hard to compare an Apple to an Orange. If you had said McMillian vs Manners or AICS vs Cadex we could have all given better answers. Having said all that, I have both and prefer McMillian (just). Pics:

AICS build:



McMillian builds:



 
This is a tough one.. I guess looks might be the deciding factor as I won't be feeling either one before I buy the gun. The builders said the AICS and AT fit but with their custom action but the AX doesn't fit. so that helps a bit. Anyone have good/bad experience with Cadex Chassis? if so which one? My only concern is that the rail is not attached to the action if I go with a nice Cadex system.. could that be an issue? since I'm already worried about accuracy with chassis id hate to add one more thing on my mind (even if its just all in my head lol)

I really like the idea of putting a monopod on the back of the buttstock if it was a chassis.. can a monopod be added on the back of a McMillan? does it look any good?
 
Frew said:
since I'm already worried about accuracy with chassis id hate to add one more thing on my mind (even if its just all in my head lol)

I really like the idea of putting a monopod on the back of the buttstock if it was a chassis.. can a monopod be added on the back of a McMillan? does it look any good?
Click to expand...

Re-read your statement here.

Monopod and accuracy do not go together. Someone else pointed out in a thread that the monopod was designed for long term observation of a subject. Not intended to be used for long range accuracy shooting.
 
no the monopod is separate I know it has nothing to do with accuracy, I just like using them and know they perform well on a chassis but have not seen one on a stock... The accuracy question was weather or not having the rail directly attached to the action is considerably better vs having a rail on a chassis system thats no directly attached to the action. My thought is if the rail is directly attached to the action there is less chance of the scope moving even the slightest bit, where it might if its attached to a chassis. I don't know I haven't owned one and even if you did I don't know if it would ever be noticeable.. Hence my question.
 
Frew said:
no the monopod is separate I know it has nothing to do with accuracy, I just like using them and know they perform well on a chassis but have not seen one on a stock... The accuracy question was weather or not having the rail directly attached to the action is considerably better vs having a rail on a chassis system thats no directly attached to the action. My thought is if the rail is directly attached to the action there is less chance of the scope moving even the slightest bit, where it might if its attached to a chassis. I don't know I haven't owned one and even if you did I don't know if it would ever be noticeable.. Hence my question.
Click to expand...

If you want a chassis but also want a rail to attach directly to the action consider Cadex:-



Interested in reading ? http://rifletalk.org/2015/04/24/reviewed-the-cadex-field-ot-chassis-system/
 
The Cadex looks great! hows it holding up for you? any complaints? Iv been looking into Cadex and its the only other chassis the builder suggests and supplies (its a bit cheaper than the mcmillan depending on the model). I think iv ruled out the AI. so its just Mcmillan and Cadex..
 
kombayotch said:
Get behind them both before you buy. They have a different feel, see which feels best to you. I prefer the Manners T4 or McMillan A5. But, I have big mitts and the grips on AI stocks just don't feel right. I dislike pistol grips in general...

You can get chassis for manners stocks so that you don't need to bed the action:
http://mannersstocks.com/mcs-bdl-dbm-mini-chassis/
Click to expand...

This pretty much sums up my position, I had an AICS and it was HEAVY, LOL, the "thumb hole" takes some getting use to.
I feel that the Manners has the slight edge over the McMillan IMO.
Good Luck
 
Frew said:
no the monopod is separate I know it has nothing to do with accuracy, I just like using them and know they perform well on a chassis but have not seen one on a stock... The accuracy question was weather or not having the rail directly attached to the action is considerably better vs having a rail on a chassis system thats no directly attached to the action. My thought is if the rail is directly attached to the action there is less chance of the scope moving even the slightest bit, where it might if its attached to a chassis. I don't know I haven't owned one and even if you did I don't know if it would ever be noticeable.. Hence my question.
Click to expand...

The XLR chassis is also "rail on action".

Personally it would be my preference to have it mounted this way.

What I don't understand is your desire for accuracy yet you want to use a monopod. If you want one because it looks cool, then get one but when you can't get good accuracy out of your rifle while using it, don't blame your gunsmith.
 
I was just curious about the monopod. Obviously it wouldn't be what i use to shoot with in competition or any serious shooting. Im just comparing features here thats all, it might be nice to have in a pinch, as carrying a bag around can be a pain.

Shooter--- ya i really like the XLR but the company i have building the rifle only deals with McMillan, AI and Cadex. This being my serious rifle and accuracy being number one I'm leaning for McMillan. But the Cadex is $500 less ( because theres no BDM or bedding) and has nice features/look. Not to mention this rifle built won't take a 10+ months if i use a cadex chassis. Again my only concern is chassis accuracy... But the builders guarantee 1/2 MOA or better on any rife they build. (the thing is I want the "better" :p) Hell, my stock Savage 10TR shoots about 1/2 MOA with reloads.. so a gun costing 6x that better produce at twice the accuracy/precision.
 
Frew said:
Again my only concern is chassis accuracy... But the builders guarantee 1/2 MOA or better on any rife they build. (the thing is I want the "better" :p) Hell, my stock Savage 10TR shoots about 1/2 MOA with reloads.. so a gun costing 6x that better produce at twice the accuracy/precision.
Click to expand...

I really don't want to rain on your parade but..... "1/2 MOA or better" is an interesting concept - yes, many rifles will shoot in the sub .5's with proper ammo, glass and shooter. My PGW Coyote being one but the funny thing is that I put it in the safe over winter and guess what ? Next spring she comes out as a 1 MOA rilfe ! What I am getting at here is that most of us can't really tell the difference between a .499 MOA shooter and a .356 MOA or .250 MOA shooter. BTW, You might want to enter that stock 10TR in the challenges posted above - she if she really is a half minute gun :)
 
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