Form over Function. Help choosing a Stock/ Chassis

[chopper duke]

Okay, I am a professional commercial photographer and I've been increasing my client base with some smaller shops that make rifle accessories. So far, I've been working with a gunsmith who specializes in high end precision rifles, but it really is a pain to have to schedule time with their marketing guy and have wait for when they're ready and then compensate them with free photos of their work. SO. I'm looking to put together my own rifle that will primarily be used to showcase clients products.

I have an action (Savage model 12) and a barrel (.308 Benchmark 20" 1/10) and I'll be using a scope base, bolt knob and muzzle brake from a client. I also have a set of rings coming as well. This leaves the hardest part, the stock/ chassis. If this is going to be the base rifle for what I'm hoping is a lot of photos of various accessories and gear, then I really want it to look great!! This is where you guys come in.

Picture in your mind if you will, a gloss ad from your favorite shooting rag. They're advertising the latest and greatest widget for your rifle. What stock or chassis do you all see? What would you prefer to see? What platform do you think would best accentuate other items without being to "in your face." What colors do you see?

Because this is coming out of gear funds that is usually used for equipment, I'd like to keep the cost around $600ish (possibly more) for a chassis and a little less for a stock. Also, availability is key as I can't really wait 6 months for it to arrive since time really is money in this game. The gunsmith I mentioned earlier does Cerakoting so I can always coat it in any color so that's really a non-issue.

Thank you all!!
Josh "Chopper Duke" Wilson
Axial Photography

 

[BapZander]

Just have a really hot female hold the barrelled action. I mean you did ask...

Second choice, AIAX chassis, and a Manners or McMillan stock. Buy these and if needed you can sell them for very close to what you paid.

 

[sentry1]

McMillan A5 with a DBM and KMW cheekpiece... in Multicam!

P.S. Who does a good Multicam dip? Now I need to get my A5 redone.

 

[chopper duke]

Just have a really hot female hold the barrelled action. I mean you did ask...

Second choice, AIAX chassis, and a Manners or McMillan stock. Buy these and if needed you can sell them for very close to what you paid.

I looked at the AIAX but I don't know if they do a Savage action and its over twice my budget. I was looking at the XLR Evolution and the McRees Precision chassis. No love for the B&C stocks? I do like the Manners T2 and T4.

Edit: you actually brought up a great point in that the stock really is the model. It showcases the items and needs to look good while doing it.

McMillan A5 with a DBM and KMW cheekpiece... in Multicam!

P.S. Who does a good Multicam dip? Now I need to get my A5 redone.

I really dig that McMillan A5. I like Multicam. A lot. But I worry that it would be too distracting.

 

[Papa Zero Three]

Mcrees is a chassis in your listed price range and not a bad choice. For a traditional stock, why not go with a B & C? I know these are prop/show platforms for the other products so anything that falls within your budget is really game the way I see it,regardless of what it's comfort/performance is known for.

 

[Kamkaze]

McMillan A5 with a DBM and KMW cheekpiece... in Multicam!

P.S. Who does a good Multicam dip? Now I need to get my A5 redone.

If you were local I have a great shop here that does them, I will be getting my newly aquired B&C "light tactical" dipped very soon.

 

[Kamkaze]

Mcrees is a chassis in your listed price range and not a bad choice. For a traditional stock, why not go with a B & C? I know these are prop/show platforms for the other products so anything that falls within your budget is really game the way I see it,regardless of what it's comfort/performance is known for.

Agree with this, since you aren't as concerned with the performance of the rifle as you are the looks, there are several stocks that look similar to the A5 for much less. ie: Bell and Carlson and HS Precsion.

 

[usafabrad]

B&C is budget entry-level stocks. Better than hogue factory, but not the best. Rifle shooters SERIOUS rifle shooters, are notoriously pragmatic. They like the look of the gear that works best. Form Follows Function. Extraneous crap is exactly that. Clean lines, functional, high quality accessories only. Everything else is for the mall-ninja-tacticool crowd. Most of us i doubt, would be caught deaf seriously looking at most of those rags you mentioned. Training is done in the field, not in an article. Education is from a class or technical manual. Quality gear is best determined by seeing what the experts, not the paid editors of a magazine tout as the latest thing.

 

[chopper duke]

Mcrees is a chassis in your listed price range and not a bad choice. For a traditional stock, why not go with a B & C? I know these are prop/show platforms for the other products so anything that falls within your budget is really game the way I see it,regardless of what it's comfort/performance is known for.

Agree with this, since you aren't as concerned with the performance of the rifle as you are the looks, there are several stocks that look similar to the A5 for much less. ie: Bell and Carlson and HS Precsion.

While the main feature of this rifle will be as a platform for photos, how are these stocks? I do plan on shooting the rifle (hence the Benchmark barrel) but I can always upgrade to a chassis later on down the line for variety.

 

[Kamkaze]

They are very good stocks and a lot of people on here utilize them with great results. If you are going to only be utilizing this as a benchrest gun I would say to go with a nice heavy stock.

 

[Papa Zero Three]

While the main feature of this rifle will be as a platform for photos, how are these stocks? I do plan on shooting the rifle (hence the Benchmark barrel) but I can always upgrade to a chassis later on down the line for variety.

OK, different story then. The Mcrees is good to go as far as a chassis in your budget range;lots of people here have them and like them. Now on the B&C recommendation I gave earlier, I would say no. As others have said, it's a bottom of the barrel replacement stock and I even know gunsmiths that refuse to work on them. I would point you at a manners tactical line stock in your price range as an alternative since you want to fire these weapons.

 

[chopper duke]

OK, different story then. The Mcrees is good to go as far as a chassis in your budget range;lots of people here have them and like them. Now on the B&C recommendation I gave earlier, I would say no. As others have said, it's a bottom of the barrel replacement stock and I even know gunsmiths that refuse to work on them. I would point you at a manners tactical line stock in your price range as an alternative since you want to fire these weapons.

I'm seriously looking at the McRees and sent them a message via their online contact page but haven't heard anything back. I'd really like to work with whichever company I go with as their product will be a featured in a lot of the photos so I would like to get some input from them.

 

[Temp9]

I'm seriously looking at the McRees and sent them a message via their online contact page but haven't heard anything back. I'd really like to work with whichever company I go with as their product will be a featured in a lot of the photos so I would like to get some input from them.

Since you mention communication, I'll mention Manners. The T2, T4, and T6 are all great looking stocks that don't look as complicated as many of the chassis do.

 

[strike33]

The XLR carbon is a sexy piece of equipment that can help you taylor the rifle to a look hthat would best show off other components

 

[chopper duke]

The XLR carbon is a sexy piece of equipment that can help you taylor the rifle to a look hthat would best show off other components

I like the XLR a lot but the cost for the carbon is a little much and the wait time is just longer than I can spare.

 

[bluto77]

Tom Manners is on this forum. Seems to be a nice guy. I'm biased because I have 2 of them, but I'd reach out to him if it was me. Surely there are some "loaners" that could be used if you're legit enough to get them some real exposure.

 

[chopper duke]

Tom Manners is on this forum. Seems to be a nice guy. I'm biased because I have 2 of them, but I'd reach out to him if it was me. Surely there are some "loaners" that could be used if you're legit enough to get them some real exposure.

I certainly have no issues giving anyone exposure, especially those companies that deserve it. I like to help out small businesses, as I'm a small business owner. I'm a proud 2A supporter, former LE and currently in the Military (USAFR). I just love taking pictures!

I'm really leaning towards the McRee's Precision G5 TMAG w/ fixed stock.