Mdt hnt26 chassis
- Thread starter keith mokry
- Start date
Hey Keith,
I replaced the stock on my 6.5prc Christensen Arms MPR, and went with the MDT HNT 26, folding, standard front, black in colour.
I love it.
Pros:
The palm swell is fantastic, extremely comfortable and adds a level of sophistication I haven't had before in my grips.
The palm swell is a universal AR10 style attachment so it could go on almost any stock, and not technically HNT26 specific.
The stocks rigidity is excellent, regardless of weight, making it easy to shoot. This gun has always shot well, and it has either increased accuracy or stayed the same between the MPR and HNT stock.
The stock is also noticeable warmer, and softer to the touch which I appreciated on the cool mornings this past spring. The quality control is MDT standard (amazing).
Cons:
The foam padding on the cheek piece with get marred nearly instantly, but it remains soft and is more of a cosmetic issue.
Indifferent:
The folding mechanism on the Christensen is better when folded.
The MDT mechanism has a bit of play when it's folded (zero play when extended), and it's a 2 stage fold (extended, perpendicular, folded) which I always seem to forget about.
I put this as indifferent, as I don't often fold and unfold the rifle while hunting. It's either folded for extended periods of time, or extended. So for me, it's noteworthy but not an issue.
Overall, the weight is impressive and it makes for a great hunting rig. I am looking to get a 2nd HTN26 folder for my .300prc.
Any more questions, just ask.
Kevin
I replaced the stock on my 6.5prc Christensen Arms MPR, and went with the MDT HNT 26, folding, standard front, black in colour.
I love it.
Pros:
The palm swell is fantastic, extremely comfortable and adds a level of sophistication I haven't had before in my grips.
The palm swell is a universal AR10 style attachment so it could go on almost any stock, and not technically HNT26 specific.
The stocks rigidity is excellent, regardless of weight, making it easy to shoot. This gun has always shot well, and it has either increased accuracy or stayed the same between the MPR and HNT stock.
The stock is also noticeable warmer, and softer to the touch which I appreciated on the cool mornings this past spring. The quality control is MDT standard (amazing).
Cons:
The foam padding on the cheek piece with get marred nearly instantly, but it remains soft and is more of a cosmetic issue.
Indifferent:
The folding mechanism on the Christensen is better when folded.
The MDT mechanism has a bit of play when it's folded (zero play when extended), and it's a 2 stage fold (extended, perpendicular, folded) which I always seem to forget about.
I put this as indifferent, as I don't often fold and unfold the rifle while hunting. It's either folded for extended periods of time, or extended. So for me, it's noteworthy but not an issue.
Overall, the weight is impressive and it makes for a great hunting rig. I am looking to get a 2nd HTN26 folder for my .300prc.
Any more questions, just ask.
Kevin
I've had my Tikka in a folder since the pre-orders first shipped-out, I have alot of miles on it now. I like the warmth to touch in the winter, it's tough to describe...the carbon fiber seems to create it's own heat!
I also have a Howa mini in a Stockys CF and it is warm as well.
The downside is they are noisy! The HNT26 grip and handguard are just a thin hollow shell that amplifies sounds such as twigs or fingernails grazing across it or the fall of the firing pin when dry firing or simply running the bolt.
The Stockys full CF stock is particularly bad for noise reverberation even when clicking the safety off, the HNT26 not quite so bad as the buttstock is foam-filled.
The folder adds considerable cost as well as some weight, so bear in mind that the ARCA fore-end and folder option brings you to 30oz's which is over the factory T3 stock. Realistically you won't find the features of the HNT26 in such a lightweight chassis anywhere else except it's stateside competitor.
Another plus for folks like myself who switch barrels often is you can simply remove the handguard via torx screws and proceed to have full access to your barrel nut and clamp the barrel in your vise just ahead of the receiver and proceed to swap barrels without ever removing the receiver from the chassis.
From what I've been observing so far re-sale sucks! Make sure you have shouldered one and the fit is good before you commit!
I also have a Howa mini in a Stockys CF and it is warm as well.
The downside is they are noisy! The HNT26 grip and handguard are just a thin hollow shell that amplifies sounds such as twigs or fingernails grazing across it or the fall of the firing pin when dry firing or simply running the bolt.
The Stockys full CF stock is particularly bad for noise reverberation even when clicking the safety off, the HNT26 not quite so bad as the buttstock is foam-filled.
The folder adds considerable cost as well as some weight, so bear in mind that the ARCA fore-end and folder option brings you to 30oz's which is over the factory T3 stock. Realistically you won't find the features of the HNT26 in such a lightweight chassis anywhere else except it's stateside competitor.
Another plus for folks like myself who switch barrels often is you can simply remove the handguard via torx screws and proceed to have full access to your barrel nut and clamp the barrel in your vise just ahead of the receiver and proceed to swap barrels without ever removing the receiver from the chassis.
From what I've been observing so far re-sale sucks! Make sure you have shouldered one and the fit is good before you commit!
I would agree with Kevin on everything:
Folded stock is meh, but once unfolded it is outstanding lockup. Cheek piece is not too that rugged, both the foam on top and the whole lift mechanism - you need 2 very small screws to fix the height. Very odd feeling for such an expensive piece of kit. Don't expect to adjust cheek height on a fly a lot.
If you don't need arca, like really really need - don't order arca option for frontend. It is significantly worse to handle and the whole arca shape is a bit... hard to say, it is not as sharp and even as a metal could be, so my arca bipod does not slide that good and does not fix very easily. It works, but aluminum arca is better.
Everything else is awesome. Fit, finish, shape, rigidity, feel it just on another level. If I was ordering another right now I would take non folder non arca version and go with a very short barrel.
Folded stock is meh, but once unfolded it is outstanding lockup. Cheek piece is not too that rugged, both the foam on top and the whole lift mechanism - you need 2 very small screws to fix the height. Very odd feeling for such an expensive piece of kit. Don't expect to adjust cheek height on a fly a lot.
If you don't need arca, like really really need - don't order arca option for frontend. It is significantly worse to handle and the whole arca shape is a bit... hard to say, it is not as sharp and even as a metal could be, so my arca bipod does not slide that good and does not fix very easily. It works, but aluminum arca is better.
Everything else is awesome. Fit, finish, shape, rigidity, feel it just on another level. If I was ordering another right now I would take non folder non arca version and go with a very short barrel.
^ This is good info. I've been wondering about these, handled a folder this summer.
Seemed nice but the folder was meh
Had the same question I had about the SIG cross, why bother folding?
Good way to save cash and the opinions here make me feel like I'm not missing out
Seemed nice but the folder was meh
Had the same question I had about the SIG cross, why bother folding?
Good way to save cash and the opinions here make me feel like I'm not missing out
The folding is nice. It's nice to stuff in the pack, it's nice to strap on the pack, it's nice to have. Don't like it? Leave it unfolded.
The cheek piece is weak, as per above, a good fix is some thin neoprene. Adjustable screw knobs are easy enough to find.
For a pound and a half, and the ergos... it's a difficult chassis to beat.
R.
The cheek piece is weak, as per above, a good fix is some thin neoprene. Adjustable screw knobs are easy enough to find.
For a pound and a half, and the ergos... it's a difficult chassis to beat.
R.
I have 2 (I'm currently selling one as I honestly only need the one). I've used it to hunt the past 2 seasons and also for NRL Hunter matches this year (with a 24" 6.5 creed barrel, normally it has a 20" .308 or 26" carbon 7saum barrel for hunting). Mine has an arca forend and the folding stock. I'm a huge fan of arca forends as I shoot a ton off a tripod (matches and hunting, took a nice 4-pointer last season seated off the tripod at 250 yds) and really don't mind the feel in hand. It's definitely way nicer than a metal rail to carry, especially when it's cold. The folder is quite practical for my use cases, fits in a pack easier or even on the front seat of the truck and way nicer for cleaning. My cheek piece foam got dinged up too but I never worried much, still felt soft on the cheek and it's for rough use anyways, not just to look at.
Removable and able to clear sights.
You will,however, need to remove the adjustable cheek piece entirely to get low enough to use them. It’s actually do-able this way if not a little goofy looking.
My thoughts exactly. It's a really nice piece of kit that comes at a premium. As to competitors making something similar yet cheaper, I don't see it happening. Making something lightweight yet rigid and rugged doesn't come cheap, neither does magnesium and carbon fiber, haha.
While I don't have the HNT stock, I have an XLR element magnesium/carbon stock combo's, so can offer a different view. Don't get me wrong, I love carbon and the HNT looks awesome, but I went a different route.
I really enjoy this stock, and have two. The element 4.0 with built in arca and the element 3.0 without the arca. Both are carbon butt stock, and folding stocks.
I have now used them for 2 years and don't find them colder for use in the weather, and have used it in -20 C. In that weather you have gloves, so that is a mute point for me. I usually have a large mitt covering a lite glove so when it comes to shooting the mitt comes off and the lite glove still allows full dexterity for shooting. I like the chassis look, and the chassis feel when holding the rifle for shooting, with a real positive hold compared to a standard stock. They just seem to fit and are more comfortable to me.
I currently use one on my hunting rifle, and have the second one with weights as a bench rifle, with plans for the bench rifle to be a short barrel hunting rifle in the near future. Quick removal of all the weights will turn it into a nice long range hunting outfit. Chambered in 6.5 CM. Currently a full stainless IBI 1" contour, 26" barrel and soon to be an IBI carbon 18" lite barrel. It is setup for a quick barrel swap system, and I can use both when I want.
The folding stock only comes into full play when you strap it onto a pack, and then have a smaller footprint. I also fold them when in the hard pelican case, and can fit both rifles when needed with ease and room for accessories.
I really enjoy this stock, and have two. The element 4.0 with built in arca and the element 3.0 without the arca. Both are carbon butt stock, and folding stocks.
I have now used them for 2 years and don't find them colder for use in the weather, and have used it in -20 C. In that weather you have gloves, so that is a mute point for me. I usually have a large mitt covering a lite glove so when it comes to shooting the mitt comes off and the lite glove still allows full dexterity for shooting. I like the chassis look, and the chassis feel when holding the rifle for shooting, with a real positive hold compared to a standard stock. They just seem to fit and are more comfortable to me.
I currently use one on my hunting rifle, and have the second one with weights as a bench rifle, with plans for the bench rifle to be a short barrel hunting rifle in the near future. Quick removal of all the weights will turn it into a nice long range hunting outfit. Chambered in 6.5 CM. Currently a full stainless IBI 1" contour, 26" barrel and soon to be an IBI carbon 18" lite barrel. It is setup for a quick barrel swap system, and I can use both when I want.
The folding stock only comes into full play when you strap it onto a pack, and then have a smaller footprint. I also fold them when in the hard pelican case, and can fit both rifles when needed with ease and room for accessories.
The market is small. Adding the optional folder and forend Arca segments the pool of potential buyers even more, keeping in mind chassis is specific to an action. I’ve handled one. I like it. Mine will be a folder with forend Arca. Most of the buyers like me have well defined wants/needs polished by a lot of time and $$$ invested. A few $$ new cost above used that isn’t what I want is drop in the bucket when a comp weekend costs $1000 plus lost wages.
I use a HNT26 on a Tikka T3X Compact in 7mm-08. I shot a little white-tail deer with it for the first time 2 weeks ago. The rifle shoots the same as with the original stock, which being a Tikka, is pretty darn good. There is a bit of give and take over the original stock, but I'm still happy with it.
The Good
- It's very well made and the fit was great.
- The folding stock is nice when sitting in a truck or SxS or boat. Makes it real easy to handle in tight spaces. It locks up tight in either position. I use a Kifaru style gunbearer when hunting so I never fold it and strap it to my pack.
- It's convenient to throw a 10-round magazine in the rifle and still have more than I used to carry for my old rifle with two 4-round mags and a spare to load the chamber. I carry the 3-round mag as a backup, unless long shots are expected. Then I carry the 3-round in the rifle and the 10-round as a spare, because it's harder to shoot prone off a pack with the big magazine in the way.
The Bad
- The cheek pad is all beat up from bushwacking, but functionally isn't a problem.
- I find the chassis cold in the hands in cold weather.
- The chassis can be a bit noisy. Most of it is no worse than my old plastic stocked rifle, but the carbon handgrip is like an megaphone for sticks.
- The open slots and large barrel space in the handguard can collect a lot of sticks and leaves when pushing through brush.
Honestly, I bought it because it looks cool and I like it.
The Good
- It's very well made and the fit was great.
- The folding stock is nice when sitting in a truck or SxS or boat. Makes it real easy to handle in tight spaces. It locks up tight in either position. I use a Kifaru style gunbearer when hunting so I never fold it and strap it to my pack.
- It's convenient to throw a 10-round magazine in the rifle and still have more than I used to carry for my old rifle with two 4-round mags and a spare to load the chamber. I carry the 3-round mag as a backup, unless long shots are expected. Then I carry the 3-round in the rifle and the 10-round as a spare, because it's harder to shoot prone off a pack with the big magazine in the way.
The Bad
- The cheek pad is all beat up from bushwacking, but functionally isn't a problem.
- I find the chassis cold in the hands in cold weather.
- The chassis can be a bit noisy. Most of it is no worse than my old plastic stocked rifle, but the carbon handgrip is like an megaphone for sticks.
- The open slots and large barrel space in the handguard can collect a lot of sticks and leaves when pushing through brush.
Honestly, I bought it because it looks cool and I like it.
