Anyone had experience using an XLR Element vs let’s say, a manners for hunting? Thoughts appreciated.
XLR For Hunting
- Thread starter mtnhunter22
- Start date
I use an XLR Element 3.0 with carbon grip and butt stock, nothing heavy about it.
You will notice temperature extremes with the chassis more. Cold to handle in the morning and can get hot if left in the sun.
Chassis have a bit more bulk which can make them slower to take out of a scabbard or bag, they can also catch on things easier.
Alot of upsides to them as well
Chassis have a bit more bulk which can make them slower to take out of a scabbard or bag, they can also catch on things easier.
Alot of upsides to them as well
I like the idea of a chassis with a folding butt-stock for when I have to lash the rifle to my pack, and it'll fit in a smaller case if I need to travel, but I really don't like the idea of hunting with a metal chassis. Too much time spent in the cold. The Carbon XLR might be fine in that regard.
No folding butt-stock, but I'm going to be trying out a KRG Bravo (polymer) and like the idea of the KRG Whiskey 3 (also polymer, folder optional).
No folding butt-stock, but I'm going to be trying out a KRG Bravo (polymer) and like the idea of the KRG Whiskey 3 (also polymer, folder optional).
I’ve used a element for hunting for years. It’s fine. I never had problems that others had. If it’s so cold that I can’t touch the rifle, I usually am going to have gloves on anyways because it’s cold right? There’s a lot of hours put in on glassing. I’ll have layers too. It’s going to be cold no matter what. If I’m out in the bush for a week it’s a marathon not a sprint, so I’m going to layer appropriately.
I’ve never got a rifle caught in anything, ever. With the exception of the barrel touching low hanging branches when crawling under shit. I have a folder on mine, and used a boot band to retain it, and packed it on the side of my pack using the straps the pack has for a rifle. Good enough for government work.
I don’t know why hunters always talk about heavy or light. It’s not light by some standards to have a long action (magnum) with a chassis (orginal chassis, not carbon fiber or magnesium) but weight is subjective.
If one isn’t a pussy, carry that 14-16lb gun up that mountain. So what? If you are a fat, or skinny fat don’t assume that the rest of us can’t hike 10 miles with our rifle because you struggle. If you know it’s going to be an issue, then consider the weight. No ones opinion will help figure out what anyone can carry for how far for their area with their style of hunting. What I can say is, my overall pack weight including rifle can totally suck and my legs and back kill by the time I get back days later depending on the terrain. Specifically packing out meat.
I’ve never got a rifle caught in anything, ever. With the exception of the barrel touching low hanging branches when crawling under shit. I have a folder on mine, and used a boot band to retain it, and packed it on the side of my pack using the straps the pack has for a rifle. Good enough for government work.
I don’t know why hunters always talk about heavy or light. It’s not light by some standards to have a long action (magnum) with a chassis (orginal chassis, not carbon fiber or magnesium) but weight is subjective.
If one isn’t a pussy, carry that 14-16lb gun up that mountain. So what? If you are a fat, or skinny fat don’t assume that the rest of us can’t hike 10 miles with our rifle because you struggle. If you know it’s going to be an issue, then consider the weight. No ones opinion will help figure out what anyone can carry for how far for their area with their style of hunting. What I can say is, my overall pack weight including rifle can totally suck and my legs and back kill by the time I get back days later depending on the terrain. Specifically packing out meat.
Thanks for the reply’s fellers. Sounds like I may need to just give it a try and see how it works. The manners I would run is just a hair over 3lbs itself, which I know I can get lighter, but like the features (adjustable cheek, mini chassis). So really just considering options that offer some of the same features with a little less weight.
I’ve hunted with an XLR plenty, with zero complaints. Adjustability and setting your rifle up for you counts no matter what you’re doing. By the time you add all that to a fiberglass stock, it’s not lighter than a chassis.
I had the Evo chassis because it looked the coolest and the rail was longer so I could get the bipod way out. In hindsight, the round rail wasn’t an advantage and I only use a bipod on the square range. The flat bottom of an Element or Envy would have been a better choice.
I had the Evo chassis because it looked the coolest and the rail was longer so I could get the bipod way out. In hindsight, the round rail wasn’t an advantage and I only use a bipod on the square range. The flat bottom of an Element or Envy would have been a better choice.
I’ve been hunting with the Element 3.0 magnesium since they were first released. It’s plenty light enough, and good luck getting a folder in a manners (or any CF) stock that weighs less. I’ve had no issues with cold or heat. I don’t notice that it gets hung up any more or less than a rifle with a “regular” stock. I truly appreciate that I can hunt with more or less the same setup as my match rifle.
Know anyone selling the element 3.0 magnesium in LA? Been looking for one and XLR is 4 months out, which would take me out of bear season.
XLR w/buttstock, bottom metal & trigger guard. 42 ounces
Manners EH1 w/o bottom metal & trigger guard 28 ounces
So close you would not be able to tell by feel
Manners EH1 w/o bottom metal & trigger guard 28 ounces
So close you would not be able to tell by feel
The xlr or any chassis is a great hunting option. They do not get snagged or anything like that...what people have posted above. They rock. They do get pretty cold but use a decent camo cloth tape and you're good to go. Or just wear gloves
A little more accurate numbers for the Element 3.0 Magnesium chassis with chassis block, carbon buttstock, and carbon grip is 28 ounces, which on the Manners website states the EH1 is 30 ounces. Add the folding stock adapter to the 3.0 Magnesium it'll weigh 33 ounces. Still super light and very hard to tell the difference.
Out of a blind but it wasn’t bad. The cold thing is true but the cheek pad foam makes that part not so bad.
Trying to avoid adding noise with a new topic so I'm going to piggyback on this thread.
I have narrowed down a build spec to either the ATOM or Element, both in the magnesium flavor. Barrel will be 18" with brake/mount for a suppressor. Will be used for hunting, mostly whitetail in the east, but also an occasional trip west of the Mississippi. I am unconcerned with the weight difference between the two models. What I am wondering, and hoping to hear about from people with experience with either/both of the models, is how do they play with regular ol' 2 point slings. Not sure how much time they will be slung on my shoulder, but that's a requirement of mine for every rifle. My concern is that the ATOM might be somehow too short to properly use a 2 point sling, but on the other hand I don't know if an Element might be too long (or unnecessarily long, maybe the better way to phrase it) for an 18" barreled rifle. If you have any experience carrying these around on a sling, please let me know your thoughts.
I have narrowed down a build spec to either the ATOM or Element, both in the magnesium flavor. Barrel will be 18" with brake/mount for a suppressor. Will be used for hunting, mostly whitetail in the east, but also an occasional trip west of the Mississippi. I am unconcerned with the weight difference between the two models. What I am wondering, and hoping to hear about from people with experience with either/both of the models, is how do they play with regular ol' 2 point slings. Not sure how much time they will be slung on my shoulder, but that's a requirement of mine for every rifle. My concern is that the ATOM might be somehow too short to properly use a 2 point sling, but on the other hand I don't know if an Element might be too long (or unnecessarily long, maybe the better way to phrase it) for an 18" barreled rifle. If you have any experience carrying these around on a sling, please let me know your thoughts.
XLR has a weight calculator on their site.
I see nothing wrong with the Element. My avatar is one of my .308 rifles in an Oryx. I have a 7 PRC in an Oryx that I hunt with. The Oryx chassis is 4.1 lbs. But the solidness of torquing action screws to 60 in-lbs just can't be beat. The only I have to add is an Airtech slip-on because the hard rubber pad on the chassis butt stock is not your friend.
Anyway, averaging 11 to 12 lbs. I have not complained. Also, I hunt on public land and the parcels we have are too small to be hiking for miles. So, I am carrying no farther than some guys might have access to an established blind.
Even on an extended hike, I would either cradle in my arms as I do now, or set it in the rifle holder of my backpack.
I agree with some others. I am not going to complain about the weight, especially if it makes the gun a better shooter because of both weight and a strongly anchored action.
YMMV.
Anyway, averaging 11 to 12 lbs. I have not complained. Also, I hunt on public land and the parcels we have are too small to be hiking for miles. So, I am carrying no farther than some guys might have access to an established blind.
Even on an extended hike, I would either cradle in my arms as I do now, or set it in the rifle holder of my backpack.
I agree with some others. I am not going to complain about the weight, especially if it makes the gun a better shooter because of both weight and a strongly anchored action.
YMMV.
Love my magnesium element, it’s my nrl light open rifle. Only draw back is it doesn’t fit well in any of my rifle scabbards but make it work. Ditch the sling, get the flush cup adapter from xlr and the obi system and thank me later
Very happy for this on a backpack hunt. 4.0 magnesium. Pretty light for what you get: a folder w full ARCA rail
That pack was over 90 pounds with meat gear and gun in it. I could not safely cross the streams to get back to the airplane but somehow I did it without going into the drink. What’s an extra pound? It’s the difference between you going into the drink or not. Or just get stronger
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