Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Boyds classic or prarie hunter?

I am about to purchase one of the above for my winchester 70 classic stainless in 7mm rem mag. I have finally conceded that the gun will never be lightweight, so i will give it a stable stock for hunting from a stand. I plan on installing a 4-14 scope on it too. For a mostly stand hunting rifle, which boyds pattern is better?
thanks

There really is no way for someone else to tell you what is better for you. Those two styles (classic vs. monte carlo) will fit different people differently.

Do you have experience with other rifles wearing similarly styled stocks? I personally have a few of both in my cabinet, and find the classic to be most pleasing to my eye but the monte carlo easiest to utilize effectively in the field.

If I were you I'd see if you can get the specs (LOP etc) on those two offerings, find similarly proportioned stocks on guns you can shoot and take 'em out for a test run then make your decision. Be sure to test them from positions you'll use field.

I have multiples of both and like the Prairie Hunter style much more than the JRS/Classic style. Mine are almost all laminated stocks, just 2 JRS/Classics in walnut, and are installed on Marlin X guns, both long and short actions, Mauser LRs and SRs, and Savage 110 series, both long and short actions.

Stocks are very individuals things, so it would be best for you to try each style and determine which fits you and your needs better. While the Prairie Hunter may be a heavier stock, to me it feels lighter than it is, maybe because of the balance. I bought 1 for a Marlin XS-7 that I rebarreled as a 22-250 and liked it so much that I bought 4 more for the Marlins in 25-284, 6.5-284, and 7x57, plus 2 for Swedish Mausers, and 2 for Savage 110s in 6.5-06 and 30-06. I did get 1 Prairie Hunter dud, the inletting was slightly off-center, but I sent it back and got a replacement with the correct inletting. The Marlin XS-7 in 22-250 has a 22" barrel and is slightly butt-heavy, but the other Marlins have 24" barrels and balance just ahead of the trigger guard.

Jeff

2nd vote for prairie hunter but as said, personal preference/fit should trump all. Mine's on a Vanguard and it is walnut. Great stock. I added a Limbsaver pad to lengthen the LOP and help when shooting prone as the factory pad is thin and I'm a rather tall guy...

260 RG

You built a 7x57 on a XS or XL action?

The 7x57 parts gun has a Marlin XL-7 action, Boyd's PH pepper laminated stock, Marlin 925 alloy trigger guard, and a new, old stock, A&B Savage 110 specs barrel from MidwayUSA. As I do with all of the Savage 110 specs barrels that I've installed on Marlin X guns, I cut the shank of the barrel back 0.25" and recut the chamber to insure tight/minimum headspace.

Jeff

Thanks 260
My son has a XS 7-08 which shoots very well and I was wondering about a lighter 7X57. Have a 98 mauser.

Got the classic like it alot. They are a bit on the heavy side but it doesn't bother me.Just wish it was checkered

You could always send your Boyd's stock to Ahlman's for a checkering job. I've had them checker a couple of laminated stocks and have been very pleased with the quality and reasonably quick turn-around.

www.ahlmans.com

Jeff

Boyds offers lazer cut checkering in two different patterns if I remember right. Pretty cheap too.