Rifle Chassis or Conventional Stock

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Went to a shoot last year, and noticed a lot of guys running full out chassis kits on their rifles, (especially on custom units) as opposed to conventional style stocks.

This year, I purchased a new rifle that came factory with an HS Precision stock. I was just about to have it sent out to have some work done (bedded, adjustable check rest installed), when I came across an MDT ad for a chassis. This got my thinking; while I do find the visual appeal of the stock I own...appealing from a traditional sense, creeping up on it I find the comb to be to low for proper sight picture, the grip to large for my hand and, honestly, not the most comfortable. I've yet to scope the thing and shoot it, so maybe its just a new feel I have to adjust to, but I can foresee issues with proper trigger pull, at least initially.

I did get to creep behind a Cadex chassis unit last year on a custom build, and while not that most visually appealing (to me), the ergonomics made it such a good fit it was almost natural, there was no denying why they are becoming popular. The ability to change butt ends, grips, etc to suite you, is also appealing,

Therefore, this got my thinking about what I'm going to do, to make the stock I already own, fit me. Parts and labour is going to run about ~$200 for a bedding job, ~$350 to have an adjustable cheek rest installed, all on the premise that I can adjust to a good trigger pull with the oversized grip. Or, do I look at a chassis like a Cadex or MDT. Cost wise, a bit more yes, but I'm not pondering if money would be better spent to a chassis system then investing on something that is given me initial impressions that I won't be comfortable behind it.

Thoughts?
:canadaFlag:
 
It really comes down to what you feel most comfortable shooting, and what you shoot best with. My issue with most chassis is that I haven't found a pistol grip that really fits my hand well. I'd like to try a JAE or a Sisk Tactical Adaptive Rifle (STAR) as these are chassis with a traditional shape and grip.
 
Just went through a similar decision making process. Difference being what to buy for a new stock, MDT or Boyds stock. Ended up going with the MDT chassis. Just arrived in the mail last week. Between the difference in the dollar and cost for bedding going with the MDT worked out to the better deal. Maybe $100 more but IMO a lot more stock for the money. (Also heavier though)
 
You'd be IMHO, better off in the long run to buy a Ruger RPR or one of the contenders that will be introduced in the near future. The going price for some of the machined aluminum blocks are, well, to say the least, some what inflated!

Its like the sled industry a few years back....5-10 grand in aftermarket chassis goodies to build a mountain sled that doesn't hold a candle to a factory offering 5 years later.

IMHO, the aftermarket chassis business is coming to a cross road under the profit driven eye of the big boys. Only my 2 cents worth though. :)
 
calvados.boulard said:
Dumb question, but does running a chassis negate the need for bedding a rifle?

Thanks,
Cal.
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You'll get different answers depending on who you ask and what chassis it is. For the one I have, AI specifically says don't, so I didn't. Other people have bedded chassis systems like the KRG or MDT and reported that it improved their shooting. :shrug:

Each to their own on this.
 
I have a custom build inside an HS3 MDT chassis. No need to bed this as the rifle is shooting around 1/4 moa. I don't know about Cadex or AI or anyone else's system, but MDT's don't need bedding.
 
If you look at the Chou Bros website they just had a build where they bedded the action into an AI chassis, they know what they are doing.

AI even "beds" their rifles to a certain extent (they are permanently bonded to the chassis so I would called that bedding).
 
6MT said:
I have a custom build inside an HS3 MDT chassis. No need to bed this as the rifle is shooting around 1/4 moa. I don't know about Cadex or AI or anyone else's system, but MDT's don't need bedding.
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I believe Patrice has already answered the bedding question. No bedding is required in cadex chassis.
 
kombayotch said:
It really comes down to what you feel most comfortable shooting, and what you shoot best with. My issue with most chassis is that I haven't found a pistol grip that really fits my hand well. I'd like to try a JAE or a Sisk Tactical Adaptive Rifle (STAR) as these are chassis with a traditional shape and grip.
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^ This.

Like shoes, choose whatever fits you and what you want to do with the rifle. There is no right answer as we all have our own body quirks. For me the conventional stock is far more comfy and far faster. I do use a pistol grip stock in my AR but as a semi, I don't need to manipulate the bolt for cycling.

I have been behind a Coyote which was very well put together and had a folding stock... also an AI. Neither fit me as I prefer

Your HS stock was one of the nicest fitting stocks for me.. Climb behind as many options as you can. It will be very clear what you like and what you dont.

YMMV

Jerry
 
I may have answered my own question...

I get fit is everything, for that i have no Arguement. But upon further investigation, i am seeing that some of the prices can go through the roof in short order, not unlike a lot of things out there i suppose. I estimate (roughly) about $1000 for a entry level chassis, buttstock and grip, and that may be a bit on the low side.

I wouldnt go so far to say cost isnt an issue; it always is to a degree. I look at it more in terms of what do i get what im paying for, and the improvements it will gain me for dollars spent. I watch guys at 3 gun comps spend oooodalls of cash on aftermarket goodies, only to be out preformed by someone running irons on an sks who was a good shot and quick with magazine changes...
Someone did quote it correctly, it is a lot of money for a cut block of aluminum, but then again, so is a high end glass stock or anything custom made to fit you.

For the money, is it worth it? Im still debating.

It is a factory model 12 savage lrp that i plan to shoot out to 1200 on a regular basis in less than ideal conditons to learn to read/evaluate and adapt to weather conditions. While the urge is there to start heavy into the aftermarket scene with proven parts (like a chassis, trigger, barrel, etc) to yield proven results, the other half, including my common sense says see what you can do with what you have to work with first before making any changes... There is no denying that might be thr smarter option, but its not as full proof as a proven option..

I may take it out of the box and set it up on bags and practice some trigger time dry firing, i may just adapt to it and solve my own question...
 
FWIW, I started with a Remington 700 5R, and shot it a bunch with the stock HS Precision stock. It was "okay", but I could never get it comfortable into my shoulder without disturbing something else. Particularly my cheek weld, as the stock felt quite low. I splurged (yes I totally did) on the AX AICS chassis, and it was immediately more comfortable. The buttstock was longer and taller, and I drop into the scope perfectly now.

Yes, it was stupid expensive, but it feels so good for me.

Do take the time to try it out with the "stock" stock. See what works for you and what annoys you. Then find an upgrade if necessary that keeps the things you like, and rectifies the ones you hate.
 
Chassis are great for options, but are heavier and brake the bank. Stocks have less options, but are lighter and can cost next to nothing. Bottom line, depends what you want. I tend to avoid chassis and stick to stocks.
 
What? Please tell me where I can find a McMillan A3-5 or a Manners T4A, for next to nothing and in a reasonable timeframe.
 
awndray said:
What? Please tell me where I can find a McMillan A3-5 or a Manners T4A, for next to nothing and in a reasonable timeframe.
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Same place I get most my stuff. Gunbroker. My McMill m40a1 ran me 400 usd 2 years ago (regret selling that) anything with hype means an inflated price, and my point is a top of the line chassi will run minimum 1k, a top of the line stock, about 500.

We (for the most part) are civilians, we don't need all this super customizable hardware for night optics, and specialty mounting solutions to achieve results down range. It's all the "tacticool" hype that people want. I am 1000% guilty of this, but I've taken a big step back and see that I don't need stuff like that to achieve results. Quality first, but I can't afford to dump all that extra money into aftermarket solutions that I will never have a need for in a practical sence.

It's all just a matter of ###ual preference as we say. Gotta respect that.
 
Kosmic said:
Well, I like my chassis for the pistol grip, not the 'tacticool' side of it. :)
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That's perfectly fine! I agree, a pistol grip makes a nice difference, I actually no longer hold my stock with my shooting hand because I like pistol grips, I just stay on the bolt.

I'm going to get trolled for saying that, I know, some people live to bag on others. It's a matter of preference, again. There are stocks with pistol grips, there are stocks with rails. Buy what YOU want and like.
 
It's just preference. Lots of sports use stocks that have pistol grips. Olympic target and biathlon rifles have them, F-Class rifle have them.

Nothing tacticool about this:

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