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Choices for bottom metal with mcmillian stock

kingfamous

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Minuteman
Dec 12, 2010
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I'm about to pull the trigger and get my first mcmillian stock. I want to use a detachable bottom metal assembly. What are my choices? Who makes a good system? Does mcmillian have there own DBM ?
 
I was not entirely happy with my CDI for McMillan for two reasons.

First the magazine release took custom hand filing to allow the magazine to properly secure and lock
Secondly, any weight from below on the magazine (AICS mags) takes up a small wobble/clearance and will cause an inability to feed or minimally great difficulty in doing so. Yes, I realize one shouldn't support a rifle from the magazine, but at the same time a rifle should be ready for any abuse that is foreseeable.

My contact with CDI was thorough and the problems above were acknowledged with no real work arounds.
 
I have a CDI in an FN SPR 308, it took a good deal of work. Your average handyman gunsmith would have crashed and burned. My guy worked at McMillian and is superb. Works great, I am 100% happy, but it was a fair amount of machining.
 
I like and use APA's RTG myself. Really like the mag release on the trigger guard. Though you can't go wrong with Badger, Surgeon, CDI, Black-Ops Tech.,etc.
Here's a pic from APA's site showing the mag release.
023parts.jpg

Here's how it looks on my A5.
304144_4199983439614_1207826247_n.jpg
 
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You need to decide what type of mag release you want. Paddle in front of trigger guard or something on or inside the trigger guard like the pic above of the APA. I prefer the mag release in front of the trigger guard. If your on a budget I'd go with PTG over CDI but thats just my opinion.
 
You need to decide what type of mag release you want. Paddle in front of trigger guard or something on or inside the trigger guard like the pic above of the APA. I prefer the mag release in front of the trigger guard. If your on a budget I'd go with PTG over CDI but thats just my opinion.

Should the style of mag release really be the driving decision on bottom metal. How about overall fit and function with a good magazine? Maybe cost as a secondary or primary driver?
 
The PTG DBM is inexpensive but well made. It's currently on sale for $75. As good as a $300 Badger DBM? Yep.

I have one in my McMillan A5 stock, and with a little tweaking via bedding height (done by a competent gunsmith) it feeds flawlessly.
 
I guess I should have said this in the first post. The rifle is a fcp-k savage. So I guess the badger is out. Do the others make it for the short action savage?
 
Should the style of mag release really be the driving decision on bottom metal. How about overall fit and function with a good magazine? Maybe cost as a secondary or primary driver?

Absolutely fit, function and cost are factors but, thats not the first thing I look at. I wouldn't by a left handed rifle because it had an adjustable butt and cost less. Im right handed. Thats just my opinion. If OP sets out some guidelines as far as what he wants it will be a little easier to decide what to get.
 
I like and use APA's RTG myself. Really like the mag release on the trigger guard. Though you can't go wrong with Badger, Surgeon, CDI, Black-Ops Tech.,etc.
Here's a pic from APA's site showing the mag release.
023parts.jpg

Here's how it looks on my A5.
304144_4199983439614_1207826247_n.jpg

+1

I've been fortunate enough to try and own BOs, several chassis, remington DBMs, and most recently APAs RTG and all performed flawlessly and as intended. My 2 favorites in this order are the APA then the BO. the APA's release is right there and easily becomes muscle memory. Jered's attention to detail, fit & finish, and quality are second to none.
 
Since you are using a Savage, you can also use the factory bottom metal. That is all I run on my rifles, for several reasons. Just a thought.

DK
 
I just did a CDI install on a McMillan A5 (Howa 1500), and there was a lot more work involved than originally implied.