Hello all, new member here and wanted to add something of value for my first post. Not sure how many folks check both here and snipercentral.com so I will probably post this review in both places as I am a new member there as well and both boards have been really helpful to me. I have been lurking here for quite a while learning as much as possible about precision shooting. A really close friend of mine (who is a local police officer) was sent to urban sniper training (http://www.centermassinc.com/) and is the DM for his unit. For his new role – he ended up getting a full Remington 700 Police TWS System in .308. His new role sparked my interest about getting into precision shooting. Just to ease back into it I went and re-stocked my Savage 93 .22 WMR with a Boyds Evolution, put a decent scope on and went to a local egg shoot at Woodcock Rifle Range in Dartmouth, MA (http://www.rvbprecision.com/). They have all different classes including rimfire, shoot eggs out to 300 yards, and also have a 500 yard range which is nice.
Well – I came in tied for 1st place, but lost in a shoot-off and ended up taking 2nd for the rimfire class. Either way – it really got me hooked and I had a great time watching all of the other benchrest shooters blasting eggs at 300 yards. They also have a factory barrel\action class which is what I wanted to compete in. The winners of both factory and custom classes won with Savage based rifles (Savage was very dominant there for some reason…) so I decided that was what I would build on as it seemed like a proven platform. After this decision I went looking at all the gun porn here and at snipercentral.com looking for a stock system that would work for me…..and then I came across PDC Custom and Craig Kierstead (http://www.pdccustom.com/) . Mel had posted a review of this system on snipercentral.com and sold me on the system. I just turned 30 and my wife bought me a Savage 10FP for my birthday, and I sold my FN PS90 to pay for the stock and whatever else I might need.
With money in hand I reached out to Craig to ask him some questions and get his feedback on some unique customizations I wanted to make. He was immediately receptive to my questions and very quick to respond. I took some of his pics from his website and “photoshopped” them so he could get an idea of what I wanted…..in return he said, “sure – I can do that!” and gave me a VERY reasonable price for the modifications. A couple of days later he sent me a CAD drawing and asked if it was good to go. The mockup basically looked like this (with some small additions by me just to make sure I had the right picture in my head):
After this – I gave him the green light, he sent me an invoice via PayPal with all of the options I had selected (and I chose ALL of them), sent payment, and he told me the build time was about 2 weeks with his current workload. Over the next 2 weeks, Craig sent me some pics of how the stock was coming along just to make sure I was happy with the way he customized it for me. Well…3 weeks later, I get the completed stock system at my door and I could not be happier. Keep in mind that I have always been into strange looking rifles like the Blaser R93 LRS2, EDM Windrunner, Cheytac Intervention, PGM Ultima Ratio, Erma SR-100, Unique Alpine TPG-1, Walther WA-2000….etc. So, while some (or most) might think my alteration to PDC Custom standard offerings is the ugliest thing they have ever seen, I just wanted something different
In speaking with Craig at PDC Custom – he is EXTEMELY knowledgeable can do pretty much any customizations that you have in mind. I thought he would just give me an attitude and just tell me it is the way it is – if you don’t like it, find another product, but nope – he was VERY receptive to my requests. He is an A+ person to work with.
OK – now onto the review (sorry for the long story). This is a 3 part stock\chassis all milled out of Aluminum (forearm, action block, butt stock). This particular model accepts AI mags (5 or 10 round). The barreled action in this system is a Savage 10FP, 24” barrel, .308 caliber. Scope is a Konus M30 which I purchased from “300WSM” who is a member on the “Hide”. Mount is a 30mm one piece mount I had lying around, and the base is a one piece EGW base.
The stock comes with everything shown here (not the Harris bi-pod though):
Pic 1 – rear monopod mounted:
Pic 2 – rear bag ski mounted (bag not included):
Here is the monopod detached and all of the included components. The 3 allen keys are all you need to dissemble anything related to the stock system. Craig also includes extra cheek rest and but extensions, as well as additional spacers of different sizes so you can get just the right fit. 10-round AI mag included as well.
Another unique item about the stock is the unique bedding system that Craig created and seems like Savage is trying to copy (Savage is getting ready to introduce a VERY similar stock for their rifles….which is just another story for another day). As you can see in the pic below – the action is bedded into the receiver via even contact with 20 or so “points” that protrude from the inner part of the action section of the stock.
It also looks like there is plenty of room for an aftermarket trigger. This is especially good for those who would choose this stock system for a Remington 700 and want to go with any one of the numerous aftermarket triggers available. I hear this can be one of the difficult areas with the AICS. (show here with AI mag inserted)
Here are some shots of everything all together:
![url]](http://[url="http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/5.jpg"]http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/5.jpg[/url])
![url]](http://[url="http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/6.jpg"]http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/6.jpg[/url])
Close up shot of the fully adjustable but stock.
![url]](http://[url="http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/3.jpg"]http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/3.jpg[/url])
![url]](http://[url="http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/7.jpg"]http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/7.jpg[/url])
Action section (don’t mind the distortion, it’s just some vignette from using a super wide angle lens on my wife’s Nikon D80)
![url]](http://[url="http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/4.jpg"]http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/4.jpg[/url])
Overall I am very pleased with how this came out. Some of the negative comments I have received thus far have been about the shiny stainless steel screws, and the overall weight of the whole package. I know Craig is working on the screw issue and has some sandblasted versions. Normal black steel screws can be used – but I have see galling with those when used with aluminum on occasion. The total weight for the whole rifle with barreled action, base, mount, scope , Harris bi-pod, hand stop and 1 mag is exactly 18 lbs. You can shave some of this off by replacing the rear monopod with the ski and shooting off a bag. Since this rifle will be mostly be shot off a bench I am not too concerned with the weight.
The finish on this rifle is a matte black power coat that seems ultra tough. It looks great and feels great. Only time will tell how it wears….over all fit and finish is superb though.
Customer experience with Craig is also just fantastic. He is right on the ball and responds to e-mails and phone calls. I know that I will definitely be a return customer. He is really interested in what people want\need and is willing to go the extra mile to make that happen for them. Originally he wasn’t going to make this in a folding version – but he listened to what people wanted and came out with a version that has a folding stock (which also looks very nice – but I don’t have any firsthand experience with it)
<span style="font-weight: bold">
***RANGE REPORT***</span>
For this range session I had 2 types of ammo with me: Federal Gold Medal Match 168gr BTHP .308 and Wolf 150gr .308. I used the Wolf ammo for the break in process (which took forever) using proper cleaning techniques. I also really wanted to see how the cheap stuff actually shoots. By looking at my 2 targets below - it's clear why you NEED to only shoot quality ammo in a precision rifle. I will NOT be shooting Wolf ammo ever again - I can't believe how different this rifle shoots with crappy ammo.
This is what a 5 shot group looks like at 100 yards with the Wolf 150gr. No wind, temp was 26-degrees, no angle to target....very calm day with lots of snow on the ground:
![url]](http://[url="http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/target2.JPG"]http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/target2.JPG[/url])
This group measured about 2.5" overall....pretty sad....
After getting pretty frustrated, I loaded up 3 rounds of the 168gr FGMM in my mag and ended up with this (no change in distance or environment):
![url]](http://[url="http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/target1.JPG"]http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeu9m9x/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/target1.JPG[/url])
You can see that the lower 2 impacts are *almost* in the same hole. This group measured just under .5" if you count end to end. Center to center is about .25" overall
<span style="font-weight: bold">ISSUE:</span>for some reason - this rifle will NOT eject spent cases. I can't get it to eject snap caps either. At best - it might eject one in every 20 rounds....maybe. Extraction is just fine. The bolt will extract the round all the way out of the chamber and then just leave the spent case sitting on top of the next round in the magazine. I tried it with and with out a magazine inserted. I tried it in the PDC stock as well as the factory junk Savage stock....it just will not eject the spent case. I am going to reach on to Savage on this and get their take considering this is a brand new, fresh out of the box rifle.......stay tuned.
….and for those that actually read all the way up to this point – thanks for your patience
-Rob
Well – I came in tied for 1st place, but lost in a shoot-off and ended up taking 2nd for the rimfire class. Either way – it really got me hooked and I had a great time watching all of the other benchrest shooters blasting eggs at 300 yards. They also have a factory barrel\action class which is what I wanted to compete in. The winners of both factory and custom classes won with Savage based rifles (Savage was very dominant there for some reason…) so I decided that was what I would build on as it seemed like a proven platform. After this decision I went looking at all the gun porn here and at snipercentral.com looking for a stock system that would work for me…..and then I came across PDC Custom and Craig Kierstead (http://www.pdccustom.com/) . Mel had posted a review of this system on snipercentral.com and sold me on the system. I just turned 30 and my wife bought me a Savage 10FP for my birthday, and I sold my FN PS90 to pay for the stock and whatever else I might need.
With money in hand I reached out to Craig to ask him some questions and get his feedback on some unique customizations I wanted to make. He was immediately receptive to my questions and very quick to respond. I took some of his pics from his website and “photoshopped” them so he could get an idea of what I wanted…..in return he said, “sure – I can do that!” and gave me a VERY reasonable price for the modifications. A couple of days later he sent me a CAD drawing and asked if it was good to go. The mockup basically looked like this (with some small additions by me just to make sure I had the right picture in my head):
After this – I gave him the green light, he sent me an invoice via PayPal with all of the options I had selected (and I chose ALL of them), sent payment, and he told me the build time was about 2 weeks with his current workload. Over the next 2 weeks, Craig sent me some pics of how the stock was coming along just to make sure I was happy with the way he customized it for me. Well…3 weeks later, I get the completed stock system at my door and I could not be happier. Keep in mind that I have always been into strange looking rifles like the Blaser R93 LRS2, EDM Windrunner, Cheytac Intervention, PGM Ultima Ratio, Erma SR-100, Unique Alpine TPG-1, Walther WA-2000….etc. So, while some (or most) might think my alteration to PDC Custom standard offerings is the ugliest thing they have ever seen, I just wanted something different
In speaking with Craig at PDC Custom – he is EXTEMELY knowledgeable can do pretty much any customizations that you have in mind. I thought he would just give me an attitude and just tell me it is the way it is – if you don’t like it, find another product, but nope – he was VERY receptive to my requests. He is an A+ person to work with.
OK – now onto the review (sorry for the long story). This is a 3 part stock\chassis all milled out of Aluminum (forearm, action block, butt stock). This particular model accepts AI mags (5 or 10 round). The barreled action in this system is a Savage 10FP, 24” barrel, .308 caliber. Scope is a Konus M30 which I purchased from “300WSM” who is a member on the “Hide”. Mount is a 30mm one piece mount I had lying around, and the base is a one piece EGW base.
The stock comes with everything shown here (not the Harris bi-pod though):
Pic 1 – rear monopod mounted:
Pic 2 – rear bag ski mounted (bag not included):
Here is the monopod detached and all of the included components. The 3 allen keys are all you need to dissemble anything related to the stock system. Craig also includes extra cheek rest and but extensions, as well as additional spacers of different sizes so you can get just the right fit. 10-round AI mag included as well.
Another unique item about the stock is the unique bedding system that Craig created and seems like Savage is trying to copy (Savage is getting ready to introduce a VERY similar stock for their rifles….which is just another story for another day). As you can see in the pic below – the action is bedded into the receiver via even contact with 20 or so “points” that protrude from the inner part of the action section of the stock.
It also looks like there is plenty of room for an aftermarket trigger. This is especially good for those who would choose this stock system for a Remington 700 and want to go with any one of the numerous aftermarket triggers available. I hear this can be one of the difficult areas with the AICS. (show here with AI mag inserted)
Here are some shots of everything all together:
Close up shot of the fully adjustable but stock.
Action section (don’t mind the distortion, it’s just some vignette from using a super wide angle lens on my wife’s Nikon D80)
Overall I am very pleased with how this came out. Some of the negative comments I have received thus far have been about the shiny stainless steel screws, and the overall weight of the whole package. I know Craig is working on the screw issue and has some sandblasted versions. Normal black steel screws can be used – but I have see galling with those when used with aluminum on occasion. The total weight for the whole rifle with barreled action, base, mount, scope , Harris bi-pod, hand stop and 1 mag is exactly 18 lbs. You can shave some of this off by replacing the rear monopod with the ski and shooting off a bag. Since this rifle will be mostly be shot off a bench I am not too concerned with the weight.
The finish on this rifle is a matte black power coat that seems ultra tough. It looks great and feels great. Only time will tell how it wears….over all fit and finish is superb though.
Customer experience with Craig is also just fantastic. He is right on the ball and responds to e-mails and phone calls. I know that I will definitely be a return customer. He is really interested in what people want\need and is willing to go the extra mile to make that happen for them. Originally he wasn’t going to make this in a folding version – but he listened to what people wanted and came out with a version that has a folding stock (which also looks very nice – but I don’t have any firsthand experience with it)
<span style="font-weight: bold">
***RANGE REPORT***</span>
For this range session I had 2 types of ammo with me: Federal Gold Medal Match 168gr BTHP .308 and Wolf 150gr .308. I used the Wolf ammo for the break in process (which took forever) using proper cleaning techniques. I also really wanted to see how the cheap stuff actually shoots. By looking at my 2 targets below - it's clear why you NEED to only shoot quality ammo in a precision rifle. I will NOT be shooting Wolf ammo ever again - I can't believe how different this rifle shoots with crappy ammo.
This is what a 5 shot group looks like at 100 yards with the Wolf 150gr. No wind, temp was 26-degrees, no angle to target....very calm day with lots of snow on the ground:
This group measured about 2.5" overall....pretty sad....
After getting pretty frustrated, I loaded up 3 rounds of the 168gr FGMM in my mag and ended up with this (no change in distance or environment):
You can see that the lower 2 impacts are *almost* in the same hole. This group measured just under .5" if you count end to end. Center to center is about .25" overall
<span style="font-weight: bold">ISSUE:</span>for some reason - this rifle will NOT eject spent cases. I can't get it to eject snap caps either. At best - it might eject one in every 20 rounds....maybe. Extraction is just fine. The bolt will extract the round all the way out of the chamber and then just leave the spent case sitting on top of the next round in the magazine. I tried it with and with out a magazine inserted. I tried it in the PDC stock as well as the factory junk Savage stock....it just will not eject the spent case. I am going to reach on to Savage on this and get their take considering this is a brand new, fresh out of the box rifle.......stay tuned.
….and for those that actually read all the way up to this point – thanks for your patience
-Rob
