Hello. My wife just bought me an older Rem 700 Varmint Special in .243 after finding out it was one of my dream rifles from youth. I have not had a centerfire rifle in nearly 30 years, so we would like to make it something special.

What is your favorite varmint stock? We will use it on the farm in TN for white-tail, crows, and ground hogs. I am interested in the McMillan stock modeled after the Sako 85 Varmint. What do you think about it?

or, what is your personal favorite stock for a like rifle?

Thanks!

My 222 Remington Magnum with McMillan Sako Varmint Stock . Rifle built on Time Precision Action which is a beefed up 700 clone. Stocked and bedded by Carolina Precision. Great stock you will love it .

I've got a TI takeoff on my 222 mag and find it handles great for just about anything I use it for. My main varmint rifle of late wears a factory BDL walnut stock like Ingwe likes with the ribbon checkering. I have High Techs on a couple and a Brown Precision waiting in the wings for an action to come along. I like the same style stocks on my varmint rifles that I use on my big game guns that way all of my rifles just handle like rifles, I can pick up any of them and they are really similar. I don't hunt colony critters since we don't have any where I live, but that is the only place I could see myself having a "heavy" styled stock with a wide forend.
If you like the Sako pattern I'd say go for it, it's a little bulky for my tastes but it is certainly a quality unit being from McMillan.

I think Im liking the Remington LVSF stock the best so far...


got a couple of them...
One on a deuce build...




And one on a .223 build....

That is a nice rifle!

Been a long time since I handled a Sako Varmint, but I remember liking the stock a great deal. Wish there was a place to try out the McMillans before buying.

I have not seen that one before, thanks for pointing it out. Interesting!

Nothing wrong with the factory stock.
I'd have someone that knows what they're doing pillar bed it and go shooting.

But if ya just gotta,,, H&S PSS would be my choice.
It's got a pretty healthy palm swell though so handle one first.

The LVSF is OK but the flat bottom doesn't ride shooting stix very well. Not for me anyway.

I had not thought of that, thanks for the observation. I have used shooting sticks in the past and they are handy.

I am interested in aftermarket stocks not so much because the factory stock does not function but because I hope to improve the grip geometry. I seem to recall that the Sako Varmint was a good balance between a match and sporter stock, but it has been a long time since I handled one.

Thanks for your input fellows.

I don't like open/shallow radius pistol grip geometry, so the LVSF stocks don't work very well for me. Tried to like them, but it just didn't work, so I put the LVSF barreled actions into McM Hunters.

The first McM style that I'd look at if I was buying for a 700 Varmint would be the Remington Hunter. I have the Savage version and like it.

Thank you, I had forgotten about this stock.

I agree that an open grip may not be the best for me as most shots will be taken from sitting or on a stationary rest.

Before McMillin introducted the "McMillin Hunter", I bought a couple of Sako/Tikka Hunters inletted for 700SAs. The 700 actions weren't as deep/tall as the Sako/Tikka Hunter stocks, so part of the BDL floorplate was recessed below the the level of the stock. Not a huge deal and something most people might not notice, but I noticed. I'm pointing this out because in the "action compatibility" tab for the Sako Varmint and Sako 75 Varmint there is no mention of compatibility with any Remington actions.

An A-5.




Dave

Tacticool isn't my cup of tea.

Stupid labels aren't my cup of tea.



Travis

Gunsmith Floyd Butler of Poultney, VT was a true artist with rifle stocks. He made a stock for my High Wall .219 I. that's carved in a most handsome yet tasteful manner.





The bottom of the pistol grip is carved.

99 that is a very cool rifle..

Not my label, Boyds.

Someday your estate sale will draw a lot of interest.

Speaking in circles isn't my cup of tea either.



Travis

And yet you participate in on-line message boards. Curious.

Any other info regarding Boyds and the A5?

I'm at the edge of my seat.




Travis

My favorite stock is on the rifle I'm shooting gophers with at the time! Muddy

Lots of information here:

www.boydsgunstocks.com

www.mcmillanusa.com

Would any one know for certain if the factory Varmint Special barrel will fit into the McMillan Hunter stock? They specifically mention it when describing the Game Scout but not when discussing the Hunter.

IMO, the McMillan Hunter doesn't have enough forearm width/thickness to take the Varmint Special contour barrel. I like the McMillan Hunter, but think that it is maxed out with Remington's magnum contour barrel. The Remington Hunter has a much wider/thicker forearm and will handle up to a #8 contour barrel.

Thank you. I actually had thought they were the same thing, but after you posted that I went back and looked at the website and see what you are talking about.

Have you or anyone else tried the Game Scout? It looks kind of silly, but I enjoyed the vertical grip on my Anschutz 1813 and my 64 MSR and might enjoy that one too.

A.... 5.




Travis

One of these 2...

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

The A3 looks interesting, but the A 5 seems a bit much for what I have in mind. Got any idea what they weigh?

Thanks for suggesting it btw, it is good to see stock-makers are trying to make more ergonomic designs these days.

The A3 is pretty specialized. I've had both and I'd take the A5 most times.

I've weighed them but can't recall what they came out to.




Travis

BA rifle Shrap'.....



X-VERMINATOR

Rex, pretty tough to beat a Rem Varmint if thinking Rem Varmint contour or heavier.....One of my all time favorite HB patterns....


X-VERMINATOR

IMHO, the A3 is much better off the bench than the A5. I've had both, and the A5 hook is not great for riding a bag.

Another good one is a Manners T2. It has a forearm similar to the A5, and a flat-bottomed butt similar in shape to an A3. Best of both worlds.

Is the grip structure different from the factory stock? I can't tell from the pictures. I am looking for something with a more full, rounded grip than the flat factory stock. Close is ok, but it needs to be rounded or have a palm swell.

How does the A3 work in the field? I am not likely to ever shoot prone, but I will from sitting with bi-pod or sticks and also from an elevated blind. I am sure I will shoot my share from the bench too, but that is not my primary objective.

Sorry just saw this, been busy! It is an exact duplicate of the factory version. If you like palm swells maybe look at the Sako varmint pattern, IIRC.....


X-VERMINATOR

I have had numerous model 700 Varminter Specials (the model with the wood BDL hunter style stock) to me this was a great stock. If that is what the rifle has on it then I would leave it as is with the possible exception of bedding it, nothing could make it more special than leaving it original. If you are determined to put a McMillan on it then pick the stock closest to the original factory stock. You will find few stocks that handle better fit better than the original design. (just my opinion of course)

drover

RexM: My all time favorite McMillan Varmint stock is available for the 700 Varmint - the model is called "Winchester Marksman".
I have several of these and as far as I am concerned for "all around Varmint Hunting" its unbeatable.
Best of luck with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy