Opinions on Choate Ultimate Varmint stock

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dlau

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I was set on a Savage 12BVSS, but I noticed another version with the Choate stock.

I did some cursory looks, and found one positive review, and one not so positive (review was on the Ultimate sniper stock)...

Has anyone had any direct experience with this stock? How does it compare with the BVSS laminate? I like how it's adjustable, but how well does it bed the action? Is it fairly rigid, and is the barrel still free floated?

Thanks!
 
it is Very Ugly Stock, how ever it does work, very heavy with full aluminum bedding, if you wanted something that work minus the look, go for it!, I am sure they could of make that stock look much better like HS or Mcmillan, but that would drive up the cost since everyone would wanted 1...

GB
 
I have had my Ultimate Sniper stock for a year now. I admit it's a bit on the ugly side, and quite heavy at 6 1/2 pounds. But its very functiuonal for a stock. Full aluminum bedding block and rigid as hell. I don't currently have it bedded as I have swapped in a few 700 short action calibers to try and once torqued down to 65 inchpounds, I don't think bedding could improve the accuracy by much. I was getting mid 5xx to low 6xx with my .222 barrel and action bolted in and consistant 1/4 inch groups with my new 6BR bolted in. Plenty enough accurate for the games I play.

The stock rides the bags quite nice. A major gripe I have is the sheer size of the pistol grip. Way too big for my hands. The adjustable inserts for the butt pad and the cheek piece arer excellent. The grip stippling is definately non slip. I haven't carried it in the field but did try the side located swivel studs with a sling and I was surprised at how the rifle feels. Very comfortable. I don't know what else to say. For the price I paid, it works fantastic. No its not a McMillan.....but what is?? The Bell and Carleson stocks in the Tactical and Medalist models look like they would be top contenders for the price, but this one came along first and It's still growing on me.
 
Cool, thanks for the opinions. It seems no one likes the ultimate sniper version- and at 6.4lbs, that's a lot to lug. The varmint version seems to do the job- it's lighter and strong, just gets the job done.

It is just weird how the grip size is universally reported to be too big. I'm a bit surprised that Savage would choose to sell their rifles with Choate, given their reputation, but I guess there must be a market for it.

But is it worth the extra $120 over the 12BVSS? I think I'd rather live with the laminate stock, and put the extra towards better glass.
 
I own and shoot one.Solid but not to everyones taste in looks. Although it can be called ugly ,I don't think I would describe it as a POS. It is very functional and is fairly easy to adapt to requirements.Priced a fair bit less that some of the "prettier" stocks,it serves a purpose.
Full aluminum chassis provides a rock solid action mount and no forearm flex.
Spacers provided are basic for adjustments to lop and cw.
Is adaptable to shoot off of bags as well as pod.
It is "heavy" so wouldn't recommend as a walkin varminter.
One of Ontario's Top Precision shooter's has used one for years and likes it.
If it suits the purpose and budget on the tighter side.I don't think it's a bad option.
However the "Super Sniper" version of this model I would call inferior.
 
I threw a camo paint job on mine and everyone that sees it thinks it is pretty cool. Personally I happen to like the stock. is it for everyone, nope but neither are dancing bananas.

It is solid, the barrel is free floated and no hope of the stock ever flexing to touch the barrel in any way. Length of pull adjust and stock height to fit the shooter. Do that in a McMillan for under $800. I don't think so!
 
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Just ask my wife. She loves my ugly mug.

I have zero complaints with it's function. As for the weight, if 6.5lbs is too heavy, maybe you should be working out during the off season. Just my opiinion.
 
Use a varmiter and will continue to. BUT
The bi-pod adapter sucks. The sliding T is ok but the harris rocks side to side unless overtorqued to the point of damaging its threads. It was designed not to touch the stock for some strange reason but, IMO, it just doesn't work as is. I made a stud for mine. As far as riding bags goes, my experiece has been that again it sucks bad. The shape of the bottom of the stock does not match any bag and furthermore the bottom also has serrations like a saw blade. Kind of exactly NOT what makes a rifle ride a bag. In its defense, it was never designed to do so. Fit and finish is about what you would expect for the dollar. Cheek piece and pad spacers come in handy, of course I had to add more height. Bolts never come out if my target rifles if the cheek piece is high enough so thats likely why the max height adapter limits to allow bolt removal.
I do like the weight and the pistol grip and have changed a few things to make it into a range stock instead of a tough tactical stock that it is.

Cheers
 
Ah, so the sliding T is what comes with the stock, but there's nothing to hold it in place other than just tightening the harris bipod to the max? What a questionable design.

I think there's the Harris #6 Adaptor that basically does the same thing, but has a set screw to hold firm in place. Why didn't they just include that in the first place?

I just got the FP10 Choate a few days ago, and I concur- heavy, solid, but it does seem to fit me well. I won't know until I have everything assembled. Thanks for helping me make my decision!

PEI ROB said:
Use a varmiter and will continue to. BUT
The bi-pod adapter sucks. The sliding T is ok but the harris rocks side to side unless overtorqued to the point of damaging its threads. It was designed not to touch the stock for some strange reason but, IMO, it just doesn't work as is. I made a stud for mine. As far as riding bags goes, my experiece has been that again it sucks bad. The shape of the bottom of the stock does not match any bag and furthermore the bottom also has serrations like a saw blade. Kind of exactly NOT what makes a rifle ride a bag. In its defense, it was never designed to do so. Fit and finish is about what you would expect for the dollar. Cheek piece and pad spacers come in handy, of course I had to add more height. Bolts never come out if my target rifles if the cheek piece is high enough so thats likely why the max height adapter limits to allow bolt removal.
I do like the weight and the pistol grip and have changed a few things to make it into a range stock instead of a tough tactical stock that it is.

Cheers
Click to expand...
 
It works fine, very ridged, but heavy as ####. Good option from a factory rifle, but there are a lot of other after market options out there. I like mine. :D
 
i piked up one *ultimate sniper* from snapshot. the factory grip size fits my paws perfectly. the weight i find is easy to get used to for regular use, with a nice camo job i really like it. the bipod issue i solved with some posicle sticks glued to the bipod as shims. its defintly a good stock for me, and being a poor gun nut the cost was ideal :D
 
Thanks everybody for their opinions. I took mine to the range a couple of weeks ago to finally see for myself.

I found it to be surprisingly comfortable, and I do like the adjustable cheek and butt pieces. I kinda describe it as a 'F-350 Heavy duty pickup truck'- it's big, relatively heavy, and pretty solid. It's a workhorse. The material and finish isn't as nice as what you would find on a synthetic Tikka stock, but it works. The action seems to be held rock solid to the stock. Not sure if I need to do anything more there.

I was a bit miffed at the whole bipod adaptor thing, but it just meant I had to order the #6, and the bipod fits on ok.
 
I had mixed feelings. I like the look of it. And the rifle shot very well for me, and the stock was certainly a factor in that.

But its a fairly heavy stock and its got kind of a smallish hand grip area. It made shooting from the standing or kneeling damn near imposible for me.

Prone or off of a rest tho... any gopher within 400 was mine.
 
The bipod isn't supposed to touch the stock on the accessory rail. I have a Rock Mount on mine, solid as hell. No wobble. A quick flick of the thumbscrews and she's riding the sandbags. Just the way mother nature intended! :p It's not a stock for looks, it's for function, pure and simple, and it does it well. It is heavy, but it's a tactical stock, not a hunting stock. If you're looking to run around God's green acres, then get a hunting stock. Either way, it's attached to a Savage, that's all that really matters!:rockOn:

-Jason
 
I have two Chote varmint stocks and they work just fine. I agree they are not the best looking but I find that what impresses me is how the gun shoots and not how it looks. The Chote did not let me down in that department.

The weight however could be a problem if your planning to carry it a lot but if not then it only helps to make the gun steadier and reduce the recoil which is a bonus for me.

If I end up spending a little/lot less money to get the same result as the big names, great. Besides I don't think the critters I shoot really care how cool my gun looks!!!
 
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