Just looking for what those with more experience than myself prefer for a 22" featherweight stock if not using factory one. Calibre is .243 if that has any significance.

Definitely the Mcmillan hunters compact... Standard or edge fill. Probably go edge fill on the 243...

You ever used a Sako Hunter style in edge fill?
I do think I'd like a different stick design than my Sako Hunter style I have on my 30-06. I will scope it before worrying about stock upgrade.

I can't use the sako type stock...

Gotcha. I've liked the ergos of mine but would like to have a slimmer grip and faster handling one on the 243.

Try one like this. I think you will like it:

yep, Mcm winny compact, we've got 4 such rigs at our house, a great setup.

Hill Country's "Bridges" McMillan Edge. My primary white tail rifle, a 280 Featherweight is so stocked.

Thanks for the push. I'll get it scoped up and stocked after that. To get the 13" LOP I may get the saw to the factory wood stock if it bugs me like most 13.5" ones do. The lighter weight may make a difference in the feel and it not big me too bad.

I am not a huge fan of the compact stock, it just does not feel "right" in use. Not bad, but awkward enough that I sold a good pre 64 fwt because of it.
Currently I have a mcmillan fwt stock (my third fwt stock) and like it a lot, though it would be nice with the edge construction and checkering of a new one. That is not going to happen with our dollar and import hassles though!
Forearm could be a bit more substantial but I can live with it easily enough. I had a Brown for quite a while and wish I had it back, it fit me pretty well.

Im limited in real life exp but the Borden? Pacific/Rimrock is my favorite as of now!!! Its raining here and cooling off, I can feel the deer are going to move this evening so thats whats going hunting today! very best WinPoor

I have a couple of questions on McMillan stocks. Never had the pleasure of holding one and no very little about them. What is the difference between compact vs featherweight. I can't see the specs on their website that show the weight. How about the monte Carlo stocks? Looks like a better fit with a scope but don't seem to popular on the fire. Just trying to gain a little knowledge for a future featherweight. Thanks Ricky

The edge fill will be lighter than standard fill. You can get the Monte Carlo stock in the lighter edge fill. It has a fater grip with a palm swell. Meaning it fills your palm on the right side (for right hand grip). I like mine for the heavier 24" sporter 30-06 I have.

With the featherweight I'm looking for a little more smaller grip area. I'm pretty sure I'm going to either chop 1/2" off my wood stock it came with or replace the 1" recoil pad with a thinner one if I can find one. That may keep me happy for a while

Thanks blgoode for the info. I personally don't like a fatter palm swell. I like a thinner grip area. Just out of curiosity would you not be money ahead to buy an aftermarket stock to chop. These featherweight stocks are bringing good money in original shape. I'm sure you have thought of this already. Rick

Just putting utility needs before $. When I scope it I'll know if that extra 1/2" needs to come off or be a stock switch. Id rather not chop it but I can see me loving the stock if 1/2" shorter. May replace the recoil pad with a thinner one for a non permanent fix.

I am partial to this one.

Oh that is a beauty!!! Wow

DdM what do you have their. Very nice looking stock can you tell us a little more about it. Looks like a super grade but nothing like a super grade I have. Ricky

The FW stock has a shnable (sp) for end,a higher,thicker comb,and very slightly thicker grip. The Compact is slimmer over all,and through the grip. It has more drop through the comb.

At first I thought this would be a handicap but in fast shooting at bucks on the move it proved no handicap in real life.Ditto on one at 300 yards. I don't worry about it any more.

I guess if I wanted to stock a 243 FW I'd get a Brown Precision PoundR. Just got another one for a 270 FW and love it.

Ed you don't need that any more. You got the Kimber now.

I love mine and after packing my 375 H&H around for the last 2 days, love it even more... I picked it (338 win mag with brown poundr) up, after I got home and it felt feather light compared to the 375 ... Problem is, I want to smack an elk with my 375, just to say I did it... . I may hunt with the 270 on Saturday, though, if we don't get one tomorrow...

bsa:Old timers used to turn M70 375 barrels down to a more seemly contour,shorten to 23". Results were a rifle more in line with the 338.

My 375's were always built on a barrel about like a #4 contour. In a Brown stock they weighed in at 8 pounds on the button. Factory 375 contours have mostly always been heavier than needed. Nicest on a factory 375 is the Ruger African.

In terms of shooting I like the heavier barrel profile. In reality most actual hunting shots are cold barrel off hand shots and carrying a rifle for hours the Model 70 Featherweight or Ultimate Shadow Hunter which I have I the SS version is about right. The current Featherweight Compact is just becoming available, at least to me. Now I own one of those things in .243 which is my usual round. I have Model 70s from .222 Remington to .270 Winchester to .280 Remington.

That is an awesome Model 70! Lovely stock!

Bob,

Ya know, you are pretty darn close to right, again. I am hooked on that Kimber for sure.

Fully understand the need to whack one with a 375 H&H. I had the same need but used a lightweight Rem KS and a 260 gr Partition to dump this old boy that about ran us over as we were taking a mid-day nap on the mountain. A thirty yard shot as I was awakened by the stomping nearby. An amazing story my pard and I revisit each time we chase elk. I sold the rifle in Calgary a few years later.

Ed, I can tell you love that Kimber...and the 270. No question those Kimbers are a big slide forward in weight reduction and had they been around years back would have saved me a lot of money.

They really drain a lot of enthusiasm for trying to build a light rifle.What's the point?

I agree with Bob. One of these days I'll undoubtedly try a Kimber Montana and probably end up loving it. However, the set screw on the underside of the bolt keeps popping up in my head. Why in the hell did they engineer it that way???? Nice bull Ed and cool story. Maybe by the time I end up buying one, It will be re-engineered...

Pat, I can understand that. I shoot left handed and the hunters compact fits me like a glove. No cheek piece to contend with or add extra weight and it comes up like a good shot gun. The one that doesn't fit me worth a damn is the factory sporter stock. It is all wrong for me as a lefty shooter. Eye doesn't line up with the sights (that's the big one right there), it feels awkward as hell. I've even tried the left hand version and didn't like that either... Go figure. Different strokes for different folks...

They made 10 standard weight 375's according to Rule. I'd like to get my hands on one. One of these days... I saw one sell about 2 years ago and I don't think it was too much (around $5,000.00) for what it was.. If that's what it really was

Why do most M70's have a firing pin set screw? Of course it was done away with around 2000, but all your beloved pre-64's have one and it's really no different than the Kimber.

A few layers of fingernail polish on the Kimber's set screw will keep it until Armageddon.

I'm sorry I offended you Brad. Honestly never heard of a set screw falling out of a pre 64 bolt.... Stranger things can happen though..

Offended? How so? Please explain.

Also have to wonder why USRAC did away with the firing pin stop screw if it was so amazing?

Having said that, I have two Kimber 84's and two Winchester M70's, which pretty well explains how I feel about it...