Room to improve stock design?

[Rifletuner]

Guys

I am working on a couple of stock designs that I may offer commercially in the future. I will go into a bit more detail on the actual stocks when I have the design more nailed down.

However I am keen to get feedback on what to include/exclude on the design. Right now, I am thinking along the lines of 2 different models, one somewhat along the lines of an A-5, and another somewhat along the lines of a HTG (but I am thinking it will have a little higher Monte Carlo). These will be manufactured along the lines of a McMillan/Manners stock, not a metallic chassis system.

I am interested to hear what Hide members might have on their wish list. For example, I quite like the A-3, but would like it to have a fore-end more along the lines of the Manners MCS stock family, as the beavertail on these works better for me. Not intending to promote a product here, just in the very early research phase.

 

[Rifletuner]

Anyone?

Would appreciate some feedback.

 

[Ultraman550]

1. Definitely an adjustable cheek piece
2. Mini Chassis
3. Folder option
4. Flush cups on both sides standard
5. Standard pre-drilled bottom for front rail to attach QD bipod
6. Swivel stud for bipod
7. Pre-drilled for NV mount
8. Ambidextrous bolt handle cut outs in case a righty wants to sell to a lefty

 

[Rifletuner]

1. Definitely an adjustable cheek piece
2. Mini Chassis
3. Folder option
4. Flush cups on both sides standard
5. Standard pre-drilled bottom for front rail to attach QD bipod
6. Swivel stud for bipod
7. Pre-drilled for NV mount
8. Ambidextrous bolt handle cut outs in case a righty wants to sell to a lefty

Ultraman

Thanks for the comments. You are reinforcing some of my thinking, and challenging other thoughts I had, so useful in either case.

Regarding point 2, I am not sold on the minichassis, but like anything I can be persuaded. How "plug & Play" do people find these, verses an epoxy bedding job? Also, on point 8 & being a lefty myself, I can see the appeal of an ambidextrous stock that allows an action with a bolt on either side to be swapped in or out. However it is my concern that many shooters are very focussed on the look of their rifle, often more so than the functionality of the rifle. So I would be hesitant to have the bolt cut-out on both sides for that reason. Having said that, I might trial one that way and see what people think. Strength would not be a concern, and it would simplify the manufacturing process.

Anyhow, please keep it coming.

 

[Ultraman550]

From what I have seen some people even go as far as to bed the chassis anyway so maybe it's not that important. I know some do it to an AICS which I don't think is necessary but to each their own. I guess my point is with the addition of a chassis like Manners has and even HS it saves people from spending the money to send in their stock and have it bedded. Pillar bedding is also an added cost right? I know some will try their own hand at this but there's also those that wont. I guess I'm just thinking along the lines of what people want that unfortunately causes them a hassle to get done. But it's not like a mini chassis is the end all be all either, just an option.

As for the cut out I absolutely agree but maybe there is a way you can do it and make it look pretty streamlined as to the stock looking better with it than without it? It's definitely a hard task but a pretty cool challenge to take on right?

Hopefully I'm not being ridiculous, lol. I just try to think of all the things I see and hear people wishing for including myself but have to spend the extra dough to send it off to someone when it could have easily been a standard feature like flush cups, pre-drilled holes, swivel studs. Folder option, chassis and the like I can understand how this should be an added expense because of the materials used and whether or not someone actually wants the added weight or the features at all. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

 

[garandman]

Not to discourage you, but I don't believe the XLR chassis can be improved upon.

Or from a positive spin.... take a look at theirs, and you'll know what's important to me.

 

[Rifletuner]

From what I have seen some people even go as far as to bed the chassis anyway so maybe it's not that important. I know some do it to an AICS which I don't think is necessary but to each their own. I guess my point is with the addition of a chassis like Manners has and even HS it saves people from spending the money to send in their stock and have it bedded. Pillar bedding is also an added cost right? I know some will try their own hand at this but there's also those that wont. I guess I'm just thinking along the lines of what people want that unfortunately causes them a hassle to get done. But it's not like a mini chassis is the end all be all either, just an option.

As for the cut out I absolutely agree but maybe there is a way you can do it and make it look pretty streamlined as to the stock looking better with it than without it? It's definitely a hard task but a pretty cool challenge to take on right?

Hopefully I'm not being ridiculous, lol. I just try to think of all the things I see and hear people wishing for including myself but have to spend the extra dough to send it off to someone when it could have easily been a standard feature like flush cups, pre-drilled holes, swivel studs. Folder option, chassis and the like I can understand how this should be an added expense because of the materials used and whether or not someone actually wants the added weight or the features at all. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Thanks again. Understand where you are coming from.

Regarding flush cups or swivels for slings, I would prefer to have a set up that is free of any impediment to sitting the but of forend on a bag for those that want to shoot fully rested, especially off the bottom of either surface. And that only becomes more of a factor once an ambidextrous However that may be too much to ask. One of the biggest issues in this whole design phase is the trade-off on what gets included or omitted in the standard offering.

 

[Rifletuner]

Not to discourage you, but I don't believe the XLR chassis can be improved upon.

Or from a positive spin.... take a look at theirs, and you'll know what's important to me.

Thanks for the comments. I did look at making a chassis system, but in the end I believe my approach to a composite design can be more broadly applied to the precision shooting sports disciplines (ie benchrest, F Class, Tactical - same materials and manufacturing processes, albeit with different stock designs). My thinking right now is that chassis and composite stocks can coexist in the same market (maybe wood stock manufacturers thought the same thing about wood/composite, so maybe I am deluding myself). Certainly the backlog on McMillan/Manners indicates this is still the case today.

Having said all that, I do have some ideas for a composite chassis, but am trying not to bite off too much right now!

Thanks again - and please keep the comments coming.

 

[gebhardt02]

Heavily consider your fill material and I'd suggest to stay away from a lot of foam as space filler. For a tactical stock, I like adjustability but the adjustability needs to lock down solid and NEVER move. As such I'm a huge fan of the KMW Loggerhead cheekpiece hardware and some form of spacer LOP system. Lastly, I use my tac comp rifles for hunting, so weight is a concern as well as handling capability so I lean toward a narrower forend than the A5 but wider than an HTG style stock. I am currently using a lot of A3 stocks as they have the profile I prefer, but a lot of the tac shooters like the wider forend of the A5 for stability purposes. I don't think a single stock design is a "do it all" by any means. I'd suggest developing a few different designs specifically for different purposes.

Geb

 

[Rifletuner]

^^^

Thanks Geb. That certainly reinforces a lot of my thinking on the subject.

 

[garandman]

Thanks again - and please keep the comments coming.

Adjustable LOP is important to me. I like a very short LOP. And being able to cant the cheek piece to get the eyeball properly aligned with the scope.

Pistol grip (AR type, or similar)

An integral adjustable rear monopod. NOT the attachable type.

Folder option

 

[Rifletuner]

Thanks Garandman.