• 1 WEEK LEFT: This Target Haunts Me Contest

    Tell us about the one that got away, the flier that ruined your group, the zero that drifted, the shot you still see when you close your eyes. Winner will receive a free scope!

    Join contest

McMillan guys help me out

jayph

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 2, 2008
53
0
I can't for the life of me decide A-4 or A-2? I have a A-5 alreay and it's ok but the grip doesn't fit my hand perfect and I would like to try something else. I like the but hook on the A-5 so I was leaning towards the A-4 but I keep going back to the A-2.

This will be going on a .338 Edge that will be shot from all positions bench, prone, sitting, ect. I have made my mind up on going with McMillan I just can't pick which one of these two.

If anyone who has one or both would like to chime in I would apreciate it.
Thanks.
 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

Get the best of everything (IMO the A2 became obsolete with the A3) get the A3-5.A3 forend and the A5 butt hook I'm not a huge fan of the wide forend on the A5.
 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmg308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the best of everything (IMO the A2 became obsolete with the A3) get the A3-5.A3 forend and the A5 butt hook I'm not a huge fan of the wide forend on the A5. </div></div>

That one is nice but Iam 6'6" with big hands and prefer the larger forends. But if I was building a hunting rifle I would be really looking at the A3-5. Thanks for your post.
 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmg308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the best of everything (IMO the A2 became obsolete with the A3) get the A3-5.A3 forend and the A5 butt hook I'm not a huge fan of the wide forend on the A5. </div></div>

Shooting positional, I'd much rather have an A3 fore-end than an A4. The A4 is just too big and blocky to me. Like holding a brick (in shape, if not weight). If you like the butthook, then A3-5 certainly sounds like a prime candidate.

 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jayph</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmg308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the best of everything (IMO the A2 became obsolete with the A3) get the A3-5.A3 forend and the A5 butt hook I'm not a huge fan of the wide forend on the A5. </div></div>

That one is nice but Iam 6'6" with big hands and prefer the larger forends. But if I was building a hunting rifle I would be really looking at the A3-5. Thanks for your post.</div></div>


Ok, well you typed that while I was working on my response. If you've got giant ass Boyette/Bear hands then maybe the A4 is for you. Was the A5 forearm too SMALL for you?
 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ratbert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The A4 is just too big and blocky to me.</div></div>

I have a strong dislike for the A4, but not because of it's blockiness. It's because the apex of the bipod legs (harris) is well below the bore center line. It creates a top heavy feel. Move that apex closer to the center line and it creates a much more stable platform.

Look at Terry's new stock .... he was clearly thinking.
 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jayph</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can't for the life of me decide A-4 or A-2? I have a A-5 alreay and it's ok but the grip doesn't fit my hand perfect and I would like to try something else. I like the but hook on the A-5 so I was leaning towards the A-4 but I keep going back to the A-2.

<span style="font-weight: bold">This will be going on a .338 Edge that will be shot from all positions bench, prone, sitting, ect.</span> I have made my mind up on going with McMillan I just can't pick which one of these two.

If anyone who has one or both would like to chime in I would apreciate it.
Thanks. </div></div>

We built an .338 Edge on a McMillan A3 with a Hart Williams Port Taper Barrel. In my opinion, the A3 forearm wasn’t wide enough for the barrel but, it shot good non the less. It would have been better with a lighter barrel. I have an A2 and A5's on my rifles and prefer the A5. The A2 seems a little top heavy and may try to tip with a heavier rifle. The McHale stock is a good one as is the Remington Varmint. For but hooks, I think you'll be limited to the "A" Series McMillan Stocks. Take a look at the A3-5 with either a Light Varmint or Heavy Palma Contour Barrel. To me, all the "A" series stocks feel the same in the grip area.
 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

I went through a couple of stocks on my 5R until I settled on an A4 on suggestion of hide member 7mmRM. I couldn't be happier with the stock as it fits me and my shooting hand perfectly. YMMV.
 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

I have the A5 and I don't think I'd want it any other way. I thought about getting the A3-5, but in hindsight, I think the A5 is better all around.
 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think the A5 is better all around. </div></div>

Were on the same page.
 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

I can see how a guy would want different stocks on different rifles, but not me. I'm puttin an A5 on every one I own. That way every rifle feels the same.

If you have to get something different cuz you already use an A5, get the A4. It's a 338, use a big stock.
 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ratbert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Ok, well you typed that while I was working on my response. If you've got giant ass Boyette/Bear hands then maybe the A4 is for you. Was the A5 forearm too SMALL for you? </div></div>

Not too small just could use some more palm swell


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rijndael</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ratbert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The A4 is just too big and blocky to me.</div></div>

I have a strong dislike for the A4, but not because of it's blockiness. It's because the apex of the bipod legs (harris) is well below the bore center line. It creates a top heavy feel. Move that apex closer to the center line and it creates a much more stable platform.

Look at Terry's new stock .... he was clearly thinking. </div></div>

I plan on using the versa pod stud out the forend so that would be a little better than the harris underneith


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have the A5 and I don't think I'd want it any other way. I thought about getting the A3-5, but in hindsight, I think the A5 is better all around. </div></div>

Why do you see it that way?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
We built an .338 Edge on a McMillan A3 with a Hart Williams Port Taper Barrel. In my opinion, the A3 forearm wasn’t wide enough for the barrel but, it shot good non the less. It would have been better with a lighter barrel. I have an A2 and A5's on my rifles and prefer the A5. The A2 seems a little top heavy and may try to tip with a heavier rifle. The McHale stock is a good one as is the Remington Varmint. For but hooks, I think you'll be limited to the "A" Series McMillan Stocks. Take a look at the A3-5 with either a Light Varmint or Heavy Palma Contour Barrel. To me, all the "A" series stocks feel the same in the grip area. </div></div>

It is a Heavy Palma and all you guys are really twisting my arm on the A3-5

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AZPrecision</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can see how a guy would want different stocks on different rifles, but not me. I'm puttin an A5 on every one I own. That way every rifle feels the same.

If you have to get something different cuz you already use an A5, get the A4. It's a 338, use a big stock. </div></div>

The A-5 doesn't fit me perfect so I was hoping by trying something different I might find one that does
 
Re: McMillan guys help me out

if your wanting a versa pod bipod stud installed in the tip of your stock, the A3-5 will not work because it has an A3 forend so there isn't enough "meat" at the tip of the stock to install a stud there.

The A2 has a slightly smaller pistol grip than the A4 and A5.