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should I go chassis or normal stock?

L

long range newbie

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 7, 2013
837
2
Oregon
I have been going back and forth between wanting a chassis and a stock but chassis seem a lot more durable and expensive. I have been looking at the manners t4, aics, mcree precision, and xlr evolution. I like the ergo grip and the way the xlr is set up but I kinda wish i could spend less money on a stock since this is kinda a budget build and I'm new to long range. I like the t4 because its a big stock and I have big hands, I also have a vertical grip on another stock but I kinda like the feel of a pistol grip better. The aics is a big stock with dbm its tough rugged, proven, and well known I also like the thumbhole. The mcree is best bang for my buck since its like 650 which is cheaper than everything except the t4, it also has lots of good review, none have said anything bad but the only bad thing people say is it wouldn't be fun to carry. If you have any other chassis systems or stocks that fit this criteria please tell me about them and I cannot afford a 1k plus stock for this build. The rifle will be rem 700 s/a with 28in sendero barrel. The rifle will be used for long range hunting coyotes, deer and competition.
 
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If you add up all the costs associated with taking a stock and bedding it, installing DBM, pillars etc, by the time you are done, you've spent close to what you pay for a chassis system that comes ready to go from the start.

With that said, you need to provide some more info on what your planned use of this rifle is if you want people to chime in with valid suggestions that will help you decide which product to go with.
 
As said above, a normal stock may seem cheaper but after adding up various other costs needed to complete it, youll be close to, if not more than the cost of a chassis.

I've got a manners t4a and an XLR. I had the manners on my 6.5 for a long time and just decided to try the XLR on it and I'm going back to the manners for now. It was uncomfortable for me so the XLR is going back to the .223. However, I want to get a Mcrees and see how that works out for me.

You gotta go out and try some to see which you like best. Each has it pros/cons. I.E. traditional stocks don't get too cold or too hot like the metal chassis do; but a chassis is ready to go out of the box, unlike most traditional stocks.

You really can't go wrong either way.
 
You need to try out the different stocks, I know you might not have access to the different types but that is the only way you will ever know without spending money on a stock you end up not liking.
I really wanted a AICS stock and really wanted to like it but that was not the case. I ended up selling the AICS and only lost a little money but I still lost money and time but that's how it goes sometimes I now have a manners T4a and love it.
The choice and decision can only be yours just try making the right one first.
 
Even with all the popularity of the "chassis" now, I still prefer the more traditional fiberglass stock at the end of the day. After owning a few AI AE and AW rifles and AICS chassis, as well as trying a few others, my McM A5 feels better than any chassis. JMO, but buy what fits you the best.
 
LR newbie, have not used the chassis, but have thought about It. Still have a 260 with a classic style wood stock that is a tack driver, shoots well to 1200 yds. Also have a RUM in a new McM A3stock with adjustable cheek piece. Both are custom builds. Fiberglass is king for feel and wood is for nostalgia. I still prefer the traditional stocks, especially for hunting or banging steel. The chassis stocks are functional more for the do it your self build. I'm sure you will be happy with what ever your do. Good luck on the project.
 
I have the T4A with the built in mini chassis and it is fantastic! Truly the best of both worlds. It is comfortable easy to install and the folks over Manners have phenomenal customer service. The wait is well worth it.
 
Yeah I have no experience with chassis, I have never even held one but have read TONS on them, they seem reliable, tuff but have their downsides. I mean I've held a mcmillan a5 it felt sturdy and big which is good since I got big hands. Also MOST people run a regular stock rather than a chassis. It would be nice to have a more expensive chassis if I could afford it but I don't have much money because I don't got a job (I'm 14 please don't hate)
 
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I was originally going to go with a traditional, but with the addition of DBM & bedding, I was pretty close to the cost of an XLR. I got to briefly hold a JP (similar in style to the XLR) and the similarities to the AR platform sealed the deal for me. Because my AR and my 260 are now similar, it isn't as much of a change to go back and forth between platforms.
 
As others have stated cost is similar when compared apples to apples. If weight is a concern though, kiss the chassis world goodbye.
 
I hate pistol grips on precision bolt guns so I wouldn't use a chassis but you can get the best of both worlds with the Manners with the mini chassis system in it. Bolt in and go and a traditional feel with a DBM.
 
Rob01 said:
I hate pistol grips on precision bolt guns so I wouldn't use a chassis but you can get the best of both worlds with the Manners with the mini chassis system in it. Bolt in and go and a traditional feel with a DBM.
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This is true, however the cost is up there. I got an EH1 with DBM through the group buy and it will be a little over 800 with GB pricing. Add a couple hundred for current pricing. Sweet setup though.
 
One thing I have learned in this sport from personal experience is that if you cut a corner and not get what you want then it will cost you more in the long run as you will end up buying something that gets you buy and then later getting what you want in the first place. Don't let a few hundred dollars stop you from getting what you want. Save a little longer. Manners doesn't charge the card until the stock ships so you have a few months to save some more.
 
I have a LA and SA McRees cuz I have more Rifles than money to stock each one, so I change from one action to another. It's like a AR, 2 bolts and you are up and running. Saves me all the money (400-1200+) that I would spend on a new stock, maybe that's why I have more Rifles. Works great for me and just my .03.
 
Yeah I'm leaning towards the aics or a manners t4. can't go wrong with either one. but like a 6months wait for manners.. so I would have money saved up by then but but what will I do with my rifle for 6 months? let it get dusty? I like the option of viper skins for the aics. aics is only 857+ shipping, manners is a 6months wait +$969+ shipping!
 
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I don't know if has been said but the mini chassis does weigh more, not a lot, but if you were planning on humping it through the back country I would take it into consideration.
 
I'd say get the manners. Which one were you looking at specifically because a basic t4 will be no where near 1k. but if you add the mini chassis, folder, carbonfiber, adjustable cheek and or butt then yeah youll be up there but then it technically wont be a t4 anymore..

It is well worth the wait, you'll have some more time to save money and get exactly what you want (or try to get your parents to help you out). In the mean time, shoot what you got (unless you have just a barreled action) thats what everyone else does.
 
MdrnBR said:
I don't know if has been said but the mini chassis does weigh more, not a lot, but if you were planning on humping it through the back country I would take it into consideration.
Click to expand...

The Manners T4 stock runs about 2.8lbs and 6.5 ounces for the mini chassis. The AICS 1.5 is 5.5 pounds.

Yeah it does suck waiting but it happens in this sport. What stock is on there now?
 
No problem. Just wanted to put out the apples to apples comparison of weight as it was mentioned. If the OP wanted to keep weight lighter with the T4 style he could go with the Elite Hunter EH1 and the mini chassis which comes in at right about 2 pounds.
 
Rob01 said:
One thing I have learned in this sport from personal experience is that if you cut a corner and not get what you want then it will cost you more in the long run as you will end up buying something that gets you buy and then later getting what you want in the first place. Don't let a few hundred dollars stop you from getting what you want. Save a little longer. Manners doesn't charge the card until the stock ships so you have a few months to save some more.
Click to expand...


This could not be more true. I'm sure I have wasted enough money to buy a surgeon rifle by now buying gear that I thought was just good enough and replacing it. Have I learned my lesson yet...not sure.

I bought an AICS chassis and while it is awesome a traditional stock like a manners or a mcmillan has a different feel and a different hand position. The manners with the higher carbon construction can be quite a bit lighter. i am not familiar enough with mcmillan. I think you have to shoot them to figure out which one you like. I also noticed in the "what the pros use" thread there are a lot more stocks than chassis in competitions. I wonder why that is?
 
I am pretty new to this too and went sort of all in not know what I wanted. Kind of costly as now I'm selling/sold everything and starting over. I have a much better idea of what I want and my uses. Still learning though. I thought a Chassis system was the way to go because of spending most time shooting ARs. Bought a Mcree, which is a great stock, but found when it came to precision shooting a tradition stock what much more comfortable to get behind. Everyone is different. I would try to get behind both types if you can and that would be a lot of help. Wish I would have done that first. Find what you like best then buy it if you can afford it. If you can't and buy something cheaper like Rob said you just end up spending twice as much down the road. This is true for everything IMO even outside of shooting. Buy once cry once.
 
long range newbie said:
how long was your wait? I would rather spend a little extra than to wait 8 months
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20 weeks and 1 day. Take the time to work up some hand loads, work on consistent trigger pull and follow through. I've held an AI chassis and was not impressed, however others love them. The KRG whiskey 3 is the only other stock I looked at but I'm glad I got the Manners.
 
To the OP, this is one of those things that no one can tell you what you will like or what will work for you. It is also a chevy vs ford argument IMO. The most anyone can do is tell you what works for them and why they like the choice they have made.

While the old saying "use the right tool for the job" is a good saying that doesn't mean you can't shoot competitions with a chassis just because the top guys all use stocks or visa versa for tactical matches. I've carried and used a M21 and a M24 for more miles than I care to think about and have no qualms about using either. However, despite my initial reservations, I now find a KRG whiskey 3 chassis to be the evolution of my current preference. It is also not lost upon me that the designers of the W3 are from my community of shooters and that community is also starting to embrace the chassis system. At the end of the day, none of what is posted in this thread will give you a definitive answer of what will work for you but if you narrow down what your intended use is and likes are, you may make a more informed decision if you are unable to actually get behind one of each.
 
I have the factory stock on unfortunately but its better than nothing but the rifle is currently a rem 700 in 308 with a sporter contour. which is around 5 rounds then its hot. I am going to shoot more often this summer, by then it will hopefully have a 26in sendero 260rem barrel with some loads developed if possible with that stock, maybe some coyotes will taste some pills, and the stock is pretty bad... i can bend it pretty easily.
 
long range newbie said:
I have the factory stock on unfortunately but its better than nothing but the rifle is currently a rem 700 in 308 with a sporter contour. which is around 5 rounds then its hot. I am going to shoot more often this summer, by then it will hopefully have a 26in sendero 260rem barrel with some loads developed if possible with that stock, maybe some coyotes will taste some pills, and the stock is pretty bad... i can bend it pretty easily.
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Well if the rifle isn't even built yet then get on ordering the stock and when the rest of the work is done it should be close to ready. Unless you are or have a gunsmith in your pocket a rebarrel job can run a few months on it's own.
 
I am a chassis user with an XLR on my 7mm-08 and a McRee's on my .300 winmag. I like the look and *require* folders for ease of cleaning and transport. With that said, I shoot better with a traditional stock- especially when it comes to speed drills and quick multiple engagements. However, I am a left-handed shooter using right-handed bolt actions. Until Manners changes their minds about not recessing that hinge on their folder into the stock to make way for my left palm, I must stick with a chassis.
 
XLR has my vote for sure, but in the end you have to make your own decision on what you want. Before I purchased the XLR, I had ordered a B&C M40 style stock, and was only ~$100 less than the XLR by the time I added bottom metal. Pillars and bedding would have put me equal to or over the cost. I prefer the chassis because it arrives ready to go. My gun was mated with my XLR within minutes of the box opening. No headaches with DBM inletting etc. Bolts in and go time !
 
yeah i have to go chassis, i have shot with traditional stocks and liked them fine. then i got 2 mcrees a long and short action. i had mags for both already and was worried about feeding problems. both of the chassis's torqued down beautifully and the mags fed fine and i was ready to shot within minutes of opening the box. like others have said when you consider bedding,dbm,pillers, and all the other stuff to get the most out of your stock then they make alot of sense. think about it this way you can only shot one rifle at a time. so buy one short action mcrees and then just about every Remington s/a will drop right in, that's a lot of options.
 
I've been using a JP Enterprises AMCS on my Rem 700 5R .308, and I like it. I've posted in a number of threads on this topic about how much I like it because it's ergonomically the same as an AR-15. It's the pistol grip that I really like. I also have an AICS on a .338, which I like more than the JP Enterprises AMCS. the only issue I have is the "feel". In my opinion, most AR-15's have a "flimsier", for lack of a better term, feel than a bolt gun. Something about all of the plastic makes it feel kind of like a toy. I don't have any problems with that because I like toys! I've noticed the JP Ent AMCS has started to get that same feel of flimsiness, even though it is not plastic. I'm not sure what brought that on, but I'm thinking it was the AICS that I've been using. It's definitely SOLID. Because of that, I'm going to try a Manners T5 stock, and I'm adding the M24 detach mag system. The one I tried just had a more solid feel to it. And I'll also have the pistol grip feel at the same time.

Do what you can to try out a few different options. I don't know where you shoot, but most guys where I shoot are willing to let you try their rifle. I highly recommend trying your options on before buying them.
 
I absolutely love my XLR chassis

2w3e1p3.jpg
 
We make the EXO chassis system, I think it is priced at $600. Our second generation is coming out that is lighter and a single piece. Stockystocks caries them. We normally run enough to keep them in stock so you dont have to wait.

remington%20exo%20stock%202.jpg
 
If you need a Manners T4 now then order one from StockStocks.com. I have a T4 with chassis and will never go back to a MCM or AICS. I am now looking at getting a T5A or KMW Sentinel.
 
long range newbie said:
how long was your wait? I would rather spend a little extra than to wait 8 months
Click to expand...

If you want a molded camo color, you'll more than likely have to order it from Manners. However, if you are willing to take one of their mini-chassis in a painted stock and in a generic configuration, they are available from Bullets dot com.

Link: Bullets.com
 
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