Which MDT Chassis?

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Markit

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So i finally sourced a used Savage 10 if fairly good shape and deciding between the HS3 chassis and the LSS.

Rifle will be used primarily for plinking at medium long range (800 to 1000 or so) and hunting.

The HS3 seems like it would be very well suited for shooting standing as well as prone off either a bag or bipod. The one thing that I am not sure about is whether a collapsible butstock can be used. The site says designed for a fixed butt stock. My preference is a collapsible stock to save weight and shorten the rifle a bit.

The LSS looks like it would definately need a bipod for shooting prone due to what I perceive is a Short foreend, and would likely be a bit challenging for shooting standing for the same reason. Is this correct?

Having never handled either of these can anyone with time on both chassis systems provide a first hand recommendation?

Can anyone let me know if you can use a collapsible buttstock on the HS3? From watching install videos I cant see why you couldn’t.

Many thanks in advance,

Markit
 
My friend has a rem 700 in an HS3 and i have a savage 10 in an ESS
Even though he has skeleton stock, i prefer ergonomics of ESS
Weight could not be compared as we have different actions and scopes
My scope + mount alone weight over 4 pounds

Here is my savage 10

maZlxb9.jpg


91XdMGk.jpg



Edit : might want to check out LSS-XL gen ll also
 
I have a Rem 700 in a LSS right now. The foreend is a bit short but it does not interfere with my standing shots. With a heavy barrel it is very front heavy though. I plan to equip a new rifle I just got with the ESS but it will be range only so weight isn't a factor.
 
If this is pertinent to you.

The folding stock adapter as it currently exists from MDT won't work on the HS3 without modification. It was threaded/sized for the LSS chassis and requires a little bit of cutting down so that the alignment is correct when threading it onto the HS3.
 
Have owned both the LSS-XL and HS3. For hunting and offhand shooting I would think the LSS will fit your support hand better, but is all metal so colder than the plastic side panels on the HS3.
 
I would recommend going with the LSS gen2 over the HS3. The gen 2 has taken all the best parts of the ESS and put in a LSS. With this set up you can run a carbine butt stock. As for shooting off hand/bipod/bags you won't see any difference between the 2 chassis. I personally am not a big fan of the HS3, just don't like the way it looks.
Ryan
 
MartyK2500 said:
My friend has a rem 700 in an HS3 and i have a savage 10 in an ESS
Even though he has skeleton stock, i prefer ergonomics of ESS
Weight could not be compared as we have different actions and scopes
My scope + mount alone weight over 4 pounds
Click to expand...

I just got an HS3 for my 10TR. We could do a side by side at some point. I've got a very different optic, but they should be fairly comparable otherwise.
 
Sure, once weather gets milder anytime.
But, i have a new barrel comming in.
Fatter and longer, so balance won't be the same anymore.
Right now as it sits, it dips rearwards, as in rear heavy. Hoping the barrel will put it to the perfect balance point, but am expecting it to be front heavy rather than balanced.
 
If I had the choice now, I would probably go ESS, but when I got my HS3 there was no such thing as the ESS. Either way I still LOVE my HS3! :D

boMDD4a.jpg
 
I would look at the LSS-XL Gen2, especially if you are wanting to use a collapsible buttstock.

I set my hunting rifle up in an ESS and love it, going to switch to an LSS-XL Gen2 to save some weight for next season.
 
Markit said:
So i finally sourced a used Savage 10 if fairly good shape and deciding between the HS3 chassis and the LSS.

Rifle will be used primarily for plinking at medium long range (800 to 1000 or so) and hunting.

The HS3 seems like it would be very well suited for shooting standing as well as prone off either a bag or bipod. The one thing that I am not sure about is whether a collapsible butstock can be used. The site says designed for a fixed butt stock. My preference is a collapsible stock to save weight and shorten the rifle a bit.

The LSS looks like it would definately need a bipod for shooting prone due to what I perceive is a Short foreend, and would likely be a bit challenging for shooting standing for the same reason. Is this correct?

Having never handled either of these can anyone with time on both chassis systems provide a first hand recommendation?

Can anyone let me know if you can use a collapsible buttstock on the HS3? From watching install videos I cant see why you couldn’t.

Many thanks in advance,

Markit
Click to expand...

IMG_1615.jpg

For light weight, I went with the Gen 2 LSS-XL. With an AR stock, I am right around 2 1/2lbs which is surprisingly light for a Chassis. It fits me well and no problem to shoot standing or other positions. I will be using a bipod most often for prone but off bags, it would work well too.

IMG_1661.jpg

Still a Gen 2 but with the adjustable buttstock. This set up will be geared as a customer demo and LR prone rifle. I will put on a 30" CarbonSix prefit shortly.

pros and cons to any chassis but I am quite happy with these Gen 2 LSS chassis.

Let me know if I can help

Jerry
 

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An HS3 functions better than an ESS in which way?
To have tried both, my personal opinion is different.
I find the ESS more modular and adaptable to different shooting positions.
 
For shooting off berms/barricades, the long flat bottom of the HS3 gets my nod for function, or maybe use would be the better term. Its also very easy to attach a front bag and not pull on your barrel (which the ESS will also do this).

One thing to note with the ESS is that depending on which fore end you use, the placement of your bipod changes. 12" 15" 18" puts your bipod further away from you.
For me, 12" is a sweet spot for the way I shoot, so trying to get used to having my bipod 6" further away from me was a bit of a hassle.

The LSS for the really quick length adjustments on your buttstock makes handling it in a vehicle alot like a carbine.
 
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Right now shooting off a bench, i do like the bipod placement on my 15'' forend.
And also appreciate how the buttstock connects to chassis.
It's downside is lacking AR compatibility, it's advantage is a smooth seamless connection between the 2, and feel like i can grip higher.
I also make use of the thumbshelf and appreciate it, which LSS gen 2 also has now.
 
1 more thing to note... yes it happened to me... be very careful when removing the forend from the ESS... the ridges on it are very sharp and can leave some pretty nice gouges in bluing.
 
I started with a LSS for my Tikka withe a very heavy 26" barrel, then upgraded to the ESS and am putting my rifle in a LSS-XL Gen 2 today :D The LSS is a great, lightweight, hunting chassis and I would love to have a short barreled (16"/18") bush gun in one, but it is not ideal for distance shooting. The ESS is an amazing chassis and the modularity is unparalleled, which makes it great for bench shooting / prone shooting, but I don't know if I'd want to lug such a heavy/big chassis around for hunting (personally). The LSS-XL Gen 2 (which I am openly biased about) is a mix of the old LSS-XL and the ESS, combining the best of both the chassis (like Ryan said) perfectly. It is very lightweight (as illustrated by Jerry), offers both buttstock interfaces and has all the cool features you'd want out of a hunting / practical / tactical chassis. Additionally there is also nothing wrong with the HS3 (my brother has his Savage in one and loves it) but is honestly more of a preference thing than anything else.
I know none of this is helping you make any of your decisions, but this is my personal experience with the chassis listed :)
 
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