Re: Bell & Carlson medalist vs Choate tactical
I have had both on savages, currently have 2 choates mainly because I got a deal on 1 of them and my other was built on a long action so had to go with it instead of a b&c.
The choate is heavy, almost 4 lbs. If you planning on lugging it around for any amount of time, probably would get the b&c. Okay for a bench gun or if you dont pack it though. The recoil pad on the choate is crap, the B&C pad is much better.The choate has the forend rail, which could be a plus or minus. The barrel channel on it can fit huge diameter barrels. I have a 1" no taper on both of mine and plenty of room, free floats easy. Made of rynite, heavy but from what I read its pretty much indestructible. Hard to prep for painting. Large palm swell, which I like because I have large hands and long fingers. Check the barrel channel and make sure the barrel is straight in it. I have one that is a little off center, which is fine because I bedding it and can correct it, and have read about others with the same problem. Swivel location can be good and bad, depending on your preference. Did I mention its heavy?
The B&C has better fit and finish in my opinion. I wish the forend on them were more like the mcmillan a3 and some have sanded them down and filled the areas to make it more like them. depending on your contour, you may have to relieve the barrel channel area (savage varmint contour will fit fine though). A few more color choices with the B&C, if you dont plan on painting. Uses standard trigger guard, where the choate comes with a plastic one for their stock. Cheek weld feels a bit higher to me, but may not be I have never measured them and no longer have my medalist to compare right now.
Both are good mid-level stocks. Have you considered the HS Precision? For a little more money you can pick an HS up, and I think they are better stocks than the choate and b&c. If possible, handle both stocks. I have gotten used to the choate and I like it better (now) than I do the B&C, but I shoot mainly bench or prone and dont carry it. I like the butthook for hand/bag placement on it. I also like the spacers that you can add on the choate. But I dont think you can go wrong with either, and really the only choice in this price range unless you want to wait for a stockade stock.
