I was looking at McMillan's Edge stock for my M70 Featherweight- turns out the Featherweight has a relatively light wood stock (28-ish oz)- I would still see a near 8 oz drop with a Edge stock- fairly significant, but I'm wondering if the Edge provides more than just weight savings?

stiffer, aluminum pillars = better shooting???

they aren't exactly cheap, so if I could realize some additional benefits beyond the 8-ish oz weight savings it would be a little easier to purchase one

thanks in advance

I doubt you will see an 8 oz drop with the Edge- the ones I have seen finish out at around 26 oz. You would get an outstanding, stable, all weather stock

mt-

As mentioned above, you won't see an 8oz. savings - more likely about half of that.
As well, regular fill stocks are available with pillars too.

Real world, probably 2-4 ozs difference, and a tad stiffer, but likely you couldn't shoot the difference....

Did you weigh your wood stock?

Dad once slipped, his Fwt landed on the heel (he sort of landed on it too) and broke completely into 2 pieces where the tang screw comes through. His rifle received a Fwt pattern McMillan after that and it's still in place today.

This happened on a gravel road that had received freezing drizzle for a few hours. Dad was sure-footed and in good shape in his mid-late 40's at the time. I was sitting in the back seat of his vehicle and watched it happen. He was getting out to go check out a spot that deer seem to always go when the weather turns cruddy. No hurry, not in a rush, just slipped. Can/could've happened to anyone.

I currently have two M70 Fwt Stocks, a LA and SA.

The LA weighs exactly 24.0 oz's. The SA weigh's 25.1 oz's.

I've never had one heavier than 25.1 oz's, and I think I've had 6 M70 Edges. Most were right at 24.0 oz's.

I'd recommend you get a quality electronic scale and measure your current stock.

Thanks Gents- lots of good info! The 28 oz weight came from a post on here, but I haven't weighed mine (I do have an accurate scale, so should do that)- if it's in the 25-26 oz range, even less weight savings than I thought. Looks like I under estimated the weight of the Edge stock (and quite possibly over estimated the weight of my wood stock).

My FWT isn't a tack driver, but respectable for a sporter- obviously any improvement would be welcome, if there were any.

I really hadn't considered the strength of the stock with a mishap, but very valid point and I'm sure we've all gotten close to a major fall with our rifles.

Definitely a lot of food for thought.

24 ounces, give or take, is what an EDGE Featherweight stock should weigh.

In general, I would expect a wood Featherweight stock to weigh 2 pounds plus, (32-40 ounces). But I am open to the OP's being an exception or me being plain wrong.

I suspect Brad was referring to 24 and 25.1 ounces as the weight of his EDGE stocks.

Rick- I found one post that mentioned 28 oz and very interesting seeing Brad's posted weights. If mine in fact weighs in at 32-40 oz, my decision will be much easier

Ahhhh- that makes sense!

The advantage of a McMillan besides a slight weight savings are several things.
Mainly strength against accidental spills as mentioned. and the assurance of your zero not changing like what can happen with wood stocks. Yes there are wood stocks that are damn near as stable as a McMillan but still if you want a dead reliable rifle a good stock like a McMillan help tip the odds in your favor.
They are also easier to repair cosmetic issues from the bumps and dings that do happen.
Also switching to a McMillan is an opportunity to get a stock that the ergo's are better for you. like the length of pull, the pistol grip shape and so forth.

I have a pre 64 270 FWT with a Compact Edge and I really like it.
Still I have some pretty wood rifles I use but I carry the Mcmillan stocked rifle more.

To further answer the question:

Apart from weight, an EDGE stock is constructed from an inert material. A wood stock is much more prone to expanding and contracting due to temperature and/or humidity. In my case, I work on rifles in California. When I get to Montana, temperature differences can be 100 degrees or more. That affects wood. Humidity will not vary so much, but I promise if you hunt Alaska, coming from the desert southwest means a big humidity change.

Pillars are intended to keep the stock material upon which action screws bear from collapsing and compressing over time, which adds a (significant) variable to the stock/action interface. Suffice it to say that you want a stress-free action, and if your stock material begins to compress or deform over time, you will play hell keeping an action stress-free. Pillars were developed to address this in wood stocks. So you can pillar-bed your wood stock. I pillar bed all my personal rifles, most of which sit in McMillans.

The following does not apply only to EDGE, but I would say that, for me, the biggest advantage to semi-custom rifles (with aftermarket stocks) has been rifle fit and balance. Yeah, I appreciate the (generally) better accuracy and cool custom factor, but really, at a (not too) un-standard 6'2" and 215 pounds, factory rifles at standard LOP simply do not fit me well.

McMillan normally allows you to find a pattern that works well for your body type, built with the correct LOP, and yes, if I am also barreling an action, I can then factor in barrel specs to get the type of balance I want in my rifles.

So, for starters, ultralightweight, inert, pillared, properly-fitting, and let's not forget, aesthetically pleasing improvement over factory wood (not to speak of Tupperware) stocks. These are some of the advantages of EDGE stocks.

I still think they are the best on the market, assuming you find one that fits you correctly.

It seems 1911 and I were typing at the same time. Thanks 19!

great minds think a like..... Ha Ha

my stock came indirectly from you, I purchased it unused from a fellow member here who decided to go a different direction on a hunting rifle. I love that stock even though I am a sucker for a beautiful piece of walnut.

I love fiddleback. In gunstocks and guitars.

It's not all about weight loss.

I love great wood in rifle stocks but there is no denying the superiority of a good synthetic like a McMillan. I have seen more than one rifle completely change personalities with a good pillar bedding job in a high quality synthetic like a McMillan.

On any hunt it's reassuring to know that your rifle will not change POI due to stock swelling/shifting etc. I learned this the hard way back around 1979 or so, but it didn't take me long to figure it out.

Been using McMillan since the early 80's when Gale McMillan inletted a Sako stock for me to a pre 64 M70.

Good stuff guys

I'm fortunate that the factory FWT stock fits me almost perfectly. I checked with McMillan and they said they could configure their FWT stock in Edge- looking at pictures it appears to be the same as the Winchester FWT stock. I'm not opposed to their compact stock either from a looks standpoint, not sure of fit vs the FWT though

If the Featherweight fits you, I'd say stick with it. The McMillan version is a dupe of the factory Winchester stock.

perfect- thanks!

Mike

I just weighed my long action factory (BACO)wood M70 Featherweight stock on an accurate postal scale and got exactly 32 ounces. I have a Hunters Edge being shipped to me here in Romania as we speak. RJ

Sweet! That should net you close to a half pound .

mt- you're probably already aware of this, but want to make sure you know you can order your McMillan through our enabler, Rick Bin.

Between the weight you lose on your rifle and in your wallet, you'll have to put some lead weights in your pockets to keep you from floating off.

The big thing for me is being able to change the weight/ergos/balance of the rifle. I like a more open grip. Hence tend toward the KS/Compact/Mountaineer style stocks...

I just won't tell my wife why I'm putting lead in my pockets

Or, if a few ounces of weight isn't a concern, save a few ounces in the wallet, and go for the standard McMillan in the same pattern. $75 or so difference.

Since this thread has about run it's course,I'll ask, is the light weight Edge as durable and tough as the original McMillan?

Suppose a guy was putting together a fairly heavy barreled action with a scope 20 oz or more,would there be any advantage besides cost to use the standard McMillan?