Just ordered one after causing a crack in my second ALD short action walnut stock.

Reviewing my stock choosing journey because, well I have a new toy on the way and like most who would be honest, just want to hear some reassurances. Thought I would share in case any one else is thinking about it. Tell me if you can relate.

First, I was set on going to semi customize an upgraded Boyds walnut. I KNOW I could use one safely but the voice in my ear cautioned what I would feel like if I did happen to ruin another.
That voice sounded a lot like my wife - actually, identical.

Since it is an ADL not a BDL, and short action not long, the choices are MUCH fewer.

• McMillan and Brown were too pricy for me (and for that little voice)
• I ended up dismissing Bansners because they seemed like a lot of after fitting would be needed
• Excluded HS until I found them for over $80 cheaper than the $415 listed on the manufacturers sight
• Began comparing HS against the only B and C options available for this config which is a non Medalsit , non Alaskan version.

I decided to call the vendor and ask how the two compared given the $80 cost diff. The guy could not have been better or more informative. I will happily recommend them but only via PM to be considerate to sponsors.

So, per him, the HS is stiffer. The B and C is fine and is lighter by a few ounces but they had some returned due to misaligned pillars. They are glued in place I guess and can set up canted I suppose. Despite some of what I read he said the HS was actually thinner and less clubby feeling particularly in the wrist (which jives with how my B and C feels). He said while the HS came with a bedding block I sounded like someone who would eventually want to skim bed it. I mentioned the B and C came with a decellerator pad. That was the one thing in their favor. He joked that the shop says HS calls theirs the ultra mag pad because it makes every caliber feel like an ultra mag!! Pretty funny. It might matter if this wasn't going on a pussy cat 6mm. The pad is glued on so it would take a little doing to replace. The B and C is rather slick while the HS more tactile exterior leant a higher quality impression.

I was surprised he said both stocks are lighter than walnut?? Midway had more colors available but added $30 and as it turns out I liked one of the two original choices best anyhow. I am paying a little under $350 delivered which seems like a good deal for an HS Precision. Ordered Thursday, scheduled for arrival Tuesday- though Monday looking possible.

Feel free to chime in. I hope this does someone some good - even if only relating to the process.

A buddy has one on his Krieger barreled Rem 700 .243 and likes it a lot. It's an absolute tackdriver, he was at my place ringing the 1000 yd gong at will with it three days ago. The gunsmith that built his rifle put the stock and barreled action in a vice then wiggled it with a dial indicator and said "no need to bed it, you're good", he was right. It has the aluminum bedding block but is the BDL version. Don't automatically assume that it HAS to be bedded, shoot it first and go from there.

I think you'll be happy with it, don't let the snobs tell you otherwise.

kenjs1,

You have piqued my curiosity. I have this SPS 308 for my son and it has a take off stock on it and I am not too crazy about it. Looked at other stock options and I know mcmillians will cost over $500 and on midway they show HS Precision for $359 for a m700 short. Their Boyds Classic is $159. a whole 2 difference.

I have the VS version bull barrel and the stock has a wider forend. The rifle is probably 10 years old. do you know if the current HS Precision in Midway has a wider forend as well (that is has the stock changed from when they were on production VS rifles?)

And HS states no bedding is needed which works for me. Just plug up and go shoot!

When I built the the rifle I call the "Lite", because it's kinda a Sendero Lite, I decided on the short-action version of the stock Rem spec's for the Sendero. After I got all the metalwork done I bolted it into the stock (perfect fit) and proceeded to shoot teensy tiny groups, all the time, every time. No skim bedding, no stock work of any kind. Love it.

Oh- be careful when removing the stupid damn hard rubber pad that H-S goes to all the trouble of grinding to fit then gluing to the stock. Heat will remove it but a little too much and you'll crack the paint. Axe me how I know this.

I also wanted to mention that on Midway's website they show the HS Precision with two sling studs but I see other HS stocks with one sling studs. I have a question on this. Are the two studs considered varmint stocks while the one stud considered sporter stocks? Does the two stud configuration have a wider forend? Maybe the two stud is a newer model stock?

I was told that if I wanted to free-float a 700 that B&C wasn't an option, only HS. The HS I bought improved groups a little, not much, but it is noticeably heavier than the OEM stock. I'm not sure I would rebuy it if I could do it again.

Just got done free-floating a sporter M700 into a B&C Alaskan. Not sure wtf they meant. Did have to scrape and sand out the pressure point- took about 10 minutes.

One other HS caveat. If you are going varmint/Sendero profile, beware the palm swell version of that stock. Unless you like it I guess.

They meant drop in ready free-floating options.

The B&C Alaskan has a magnum barrel channel; that gives a very nice float with a sporter barrel. It's easy to take out the pressure point. Use a sharp cupped chisel, sand, hit it with a skin of epoxy just for drill, give that a quick sand if you feel like it.... done.

I got the version with the full aluminum chassis. Rifle dropped right in and shoots great, no muss no fuss.

The best part? $250.......

I'm sure there's better stocks. But the above is a good bang/buck solution.

Good luck I whatever you choose! Nothing like a new stock to perk up a rifle.

If you would like to change to the BDL you can order the Remington floor plate and mag box form Brownells for about a hundred.

Valad, the second swivel in the front, I suspect, is for a bipod which would make sense in a varmint model. I am not getting that model but will let you know about the forend when it comes in. I kept hearing about a palm swell but the rep indicated otherwise.

Jeff O if I could have gotten the Alaskan I may have went B and C and saved a few bucks. The only 2 ADL short action options they gave me were a varmint model or what seemed a a sort of one off model #2952 which is pictured next to the Alaskan on their website.
Because of that I felt the HS was a more sure thing - that and I kind of want to try one just cuz at this point. I don't anticipate removing the recoil pad (is it really THAT bad ???) but will see. Thanks for the tip.

Valad - one more item, that $159 Boyds classic - was that walnut? I saw one advertised in laminate with checkering and a black fore end cap for that price. I was thiiiiiiis close to jumping on that one. I am not a hug e laminate lover (don't have anything really against it other than perhaps weight) but this was likely the most attractive laminate stock I ever saw. Seems like a winner.

Been around several HS stocks and they seem to be tough. I dont like the feel of them as much as a Mcmillan MR or Classic but I feel they are worth the money. My buddy has a 25/06 that he is on the third barrel in the same HS stock.

They may be nice stocks, but I'll never own one.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/79...andamp__Remingtonandapos_s_response.html


http://gunsnplanes.blogspot.com/2011/05/gun-owners-have-long-memories-as-one.html?m=1

About the same here. McSwirly Classics are my favorite. BC is the biggest pile of schit on the planet.

About fifteen years ago, I had a Remington 700 ADL in a walnut stock that consistently shot right around 1 inch MOA out of the box.

Because I started to hunt more and more on rainy days, I laid out some big money for a drop in, pillar bedded, aluminum blocked, HS Precision synthetic stock.

I installed the action in the stock, and sighted it in. The rifle consistently shot a lousy 1.75 inches MOA from that point on.

So much for "drop-in".

Mannyrock

I've had a couple of the B&C Medalist ultralight hunting stocks. One for a Rem 700 (Alaskan Ti) and one for a Win Model 70. Both were easy drop ins with zero inletting required and were well centered with the barrel. I have another on order now.

I own a McM Edge, and a Bansner. Both are a little lighter (24 oz each vs 28 for the B&C) and a little nicer, but bang for the buck the B&C gives good value IME.

I'm sure your stock will serve you well. That being said I would have saved a few more pennies and gotten the McMillan. They are the gold standard for a reason...I've got several and love em. Just another opinion that's all.

Did you ever bed it or check contact?

@OP,

The rep you spoke with pretty much hit the high points of my experience. The B&C may be slightly lighter, however I like the thinner wrist on the HS. The paint on my HS stocks tend to have more "grip" than the B&C stocks.

My experience has also been less fitting and tinkering with the HS stocks to make them truly drop ins. The last B&C Alaskan stock that I purchased will be my last B&C for a while. I documented all of the issues with that stock in a separate thread last year. Won't belabor the point here.

FWIW, I've had good experience purchasing HS stocks from Red Hawk Rifles.

The HS varmint model has the double sling studs. This stock is geared for prone shooting and is fairly heavy. The sporter model is pretty nice and fits me well. I wish they offered the model used on the Mountain Eagle rifles as this is the best HS stock for me.

Thanks Orion and yeah, that's where I ordered. Terrific first impression of them as a company. I think I will like the black with gray web but am already getting the itch to paint it a pattern I have been wanting to try out for ages. Looks like I have to wait until tomorrow before it arrives - which is actually pretty dang fast.

THE SAGA:
Okay, so I was excited to get the stock yesterday and figured I would take the three minutes to slap into in place....right?

A little convoluted and some partially self induced frustration but here it is.

First, I put the action in the stock and it won't seat. It is a good quarter inch off center to the left. My initial impression is WTF? Am I gonna have to hog out the hell of this thing or maybe return it? Removed the action and saw half the oval opening where the trigger comes through was thin solid blue plastic. Not sure how these stocks are made but appears maybe some had flowed while melted into the opening. It looked clean and almost as if it was supposed to be there but I knew it was not. I poked through with my finger and broke most off and the action slipped in to place. Still need to clean that up.

The package came with two action screws that had recessed allen heads. IT stated to use the included wrench but there was none. I played heck with the front action screw. Then a little harder push got it further into the stock but something wasn't right. t backed it out and it felt unscrewed all the way but would still hold a thread. VERY strange. I finally figured that part out. The rear action screw used a slightly different size allen wrench. The smaller wrench would grip enough to move turn screw somewhat... Felt dumb for taking so long to figure that out. In the meantime I used the original action screws and got the action in to place and tried to close the bolt. I got maybe half an inch within closing and the bolt stopped short. I could not see it binding externally, like around cut out for example. I removed all screws and still it was stopping short. I called Red Hawk (and I have to say these folks are stellar, as well as having excellent prices). Had their rep on speaker phone

HE suggested the mag box was too long and I think he , and kudos to Mathman in another post of mine for pointing out the same. He said someone could have put a BDL version in place and it is slightly longer. He suggested I sand down the box with a belt sander may 20/0000ths. I removed the screw that holds the magazine in place and set the action in to the stock and it worked perfectly. I noticed there was a tiny bit of oily blue lay dough around the lip from when I had bfd the Boyds tock. I cleaned this out and put the mag back. When I put it in the stock It would not fit. The action teeter tottered. I took it out and removed the magazine again and made sure it was propely in place. IT is not overly instinctive. There is not cut groove or any thing you feel click in to place. The magazine just sort of forms into the recess. Pretty sure this little bastard caused the demise of two walnut stocks of mine. I will take a file to it this evening and shave it a bit. The barrel floats absolutely centered and beautifully.

The trigger guard would not easily go in to place. I made it happen by sliding it into the opening and upward then pressing the back part (behind the trigger) into place. It is very tight but may have ever so slightly eased up with the multiple removals. Not sure If I should relieve it or not. Likely not unless someone advises otherwise.

I was fit to be tied about the bolt by now- an hour in to it. Left for dinner and a bourbon....or two.

One point. My 4 year old grandson was helping the whole time. Huffing and growling along with me and telling his mimi that - this is an action screw, it is important so don't touch it- he repeated this several times. He would repeat my - what it wrong with this thing - comments. When I needed a flashlight for screwing that tiny mag screw my wife used my iPhone light and he had a red light saber flashlight- all the while instructing mimi. Priceless.

Got back home later. Reseated the magazine, slapped the stock on the action and everything fit and worked perfectly. FINALLY.

My impression of the stock. Great texture to it. Looks and feels better made than the Bell and Carlson. Not scientific but true. A little more substantial. I did not weigh it but if weight savings is what you want this is not it. It seems no heavier than the walnut but no lighter- at least in the hand. The proportions are perfect though. Right length. Seems the lop may be a touch shorter than the B and C. Not sure but it feels very 'right'. Forearm not bulky and the wrist is perfect. Slim-ish but not skinny. Very natural to shoulder. The pad is much harder than a limbsaver. May sound nuts but I think on a hard kicker it would be nice. I think pads can sometimes be too soft (I know you might thin that nuts. This is only a 6mm and the Boyds had a very thin pad so comfrot will not be an issue, though I can't wait to shoot it to see how she feels.

The paint job is very nice. The black base is not shiny but not ugly flat. Tthe web gray is subdued and seems to add more of a hue than a web characteristic. Nice. Rifle of course looks completely different.

There's some HS info on this link.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/10942876/1

DF

The one that I just put on my 270 was snug in the bottom metal as well. Mind you that it's a '69 with parts and pieces from hither and yon. I'm pretty sure there is some slop with that stuff. Has been for every rifle I've ever messed with. Except Tikka, go figure (no derail please).

Of the 3 HS stocks between my brother and I, all M70 LA's, there were little things that needed a nip and tuck. I'd put more faith in HS's dimensions over a spread of 45 years of Winchester.

All 3 are nice and tight, perfect float, dead center. I'd still rather Mcmillan, but a fella is foolish to turn his nose at a new HS for peanuts.

And not to argue, but I'm not sure I'd call them the gold standard. They have a great niche though and some stellar marketing.

And finally...



Yeah I kind of miss the walnut.... but do think it was just exchanged for a different sort of bad ass look now.

I took a file to the bottom of the mag box and used some heavier tape along to enclose the follower spring inside it, trimming the excess. I prefer the action screws that came with this stock over the original slotted screws.

AS far as the stock itself the shape, proportions, texture and overall quality impression is high. Shape size and dimensions are just perfect.

On to my next fias... uh....project. Slickening up a CZ 550 action. Sigh...wish me luck folks.

Odds are after you shoot it you'll think "wal-what?"

Odds are after he shoots it he'll be thinking "BandAid" with the scope sitting that far back...

Holy crap, that's back there.

short guy, scopes never been an issue. does look back there in this shot though.

Love your scope placement!

(I like them back towards me as well)

Plus-1 to Red Hawk Rifles; I bought an HS stock from them last year. Very nice folks.

Finally, don't see "Mimi" around much. That's a family term we use as well. French....

Glad you got it installed. I bet she shoots....

Thanks Jeff_O. Appreciate that and am stoked. Just loaded some 105 hot cores to test against the tried and true 85 hpbt's. No one that ever shot that rifle, and I have let a few, had any trouble using the scope in any condition.

The kid is adorable. Somewhere along the way he and I became "Team 5"- a creation of his. High fives me after any little completion of any thing and says "teamwork- right papa?".

My wife's mother was always Mimi to everyone so my wife wanted to be called that by the grandkids. A well loved woman. Whenever my kids asked me what I should be called when they had kids for years I repeated the same answer as mock gruff as I could - "sir!" and would follow with don't bring em round till they can push a mower.... Kept that up until the very last minute. Don't think I will ever feel old enough for grandpa so...papa seemed to fit.

Mine call wife Mimi. I think it was her idea. On my paternal side, Granddad was the name. Mine became DadDad when the oldest had trouble saying Granddad as she began to talk. It has stuck.

Jack

Just came back from the range after sending three different loads down the tube in the new H-S. Dang do I LIKE this stock. 6mm shoots like the pussy cat it should be and no surprises shot to shot. I said the same thing about the B and C (260) but the dimensions of the HS are just nicer and more solid over all.