Is a Bell and Carlson sporter stock going to be an improvement over the normal Hogue stock (with pillars, not with the full bedding block) that comes with a Howa rifle? Is it enough of an improvement to be worth $300?

If the goal is lightweight, then no. I have several B&C, and like them. Nice stiff stocks but they're not as light as say a Bansner or Edge. .Sorry, zero experience with hogue...

I swapped a hogue overmolded out from a Mauser beater rifle for a bell and Carlson sporter. Feels way better in my mind. Heavier but it feels better in the hand. I like the b&c stocks and dont know that for my needs I need anything else.

https://www.grayboe.com/collections/stocks/products/outlander

$350 and change.


Okie John

Howa?

Improvement?

What is your goal? Rigidity? Weight? Ergonomics?

If they made one for the Howa it would seem like the obvious choice from what I've read.

Ergonomics...maybe...I prefer the B&C but for anything functional, no its not worth the money to switch out the Hogue.

Hard to say what works and is worth for another's use. A decent laminate could do the trick for some. An HS for others. Many a B&C has worked perfectly fine. I prefer stuff slimmer than Hogue overmolds, however, have one on a 10/22 and don't hate it $300 worth.

The hogue stock on my old 375 Ruger was a deal killer. Way too clubby and thick in the pistol grip.

Over time, the awkward, slippery, clubby grip on my B&C stocked CZ 550 Kevlar carbine became undesirable as well:

https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-550-carbine-30-06-5-rd-fixed-mag-adj-composite/

Neither......

Rigidity and ergonomics, really. I do not mind the weight of the Hogue and I know the Bell and Carlson isn't really lighter (I do not know the actual weight of the Hogue stocks). It's a hunting rifle but so far I have not minded hauling a Howa around in the woods and haven't been burning for something lighter.

Like laminates?

I swapped one out on a Howa mini and think it was 100% worth it. I felt the Hogue was so blocky a 2x4 would have been an upgrade.

I do not have a Howa, but have had several factory issue Hogues on Rugers. I currently still have a Hogue on a 10/22 and a Mini-14. These will likely remain in place.

I personally don’t care for the semi-beaver tail / fat forends of the Hogue. I will say, I have never noticed much grouping differences between the factory pillar bedded Hogue and replacement McMillans that were bedded.

I now have several Bell & Carlson stocks on Winchester M70’s.
Overall, I like them. No they ain’t - a - McMillan. They are not the lightest either, but several ounces lighter than the H-S Precision’s that I have.
As mainer_in_Alaska stated, the paint is not grippy. But, I find the same with McMillan’s moulded-in-color stocks, slick even with the checkering. The B&C paint slickness can be remedied, if troublesome. It seems to me, after the initial runs of BACO M70’s the grips were slimmed down. I have a take-off factory one that seems fatter than the ones that I have purchased from B&C later on.

Thus far, I am pretty satisfied with the B&C’s. I have certainly not had any greater fitment issues with a B&C than I have had with any others, which includes McMillan’s.
A Ruger B&C stock and 3ea M70’s arrived a few days ago. To me, definitely an improvement over the factory Hogue and plastic M70 stocks.

I switched out the factory synthetic stock on my Winchester Model 70 SS Classic with a Hogue Overmolded Stock. I couldn't be more pleased. The Hogue stock fit me perfectly (especially in the pistol grip) and really aides in a quick sight acquisition. I also like the qualities of the rubber, which makes it easy to hold in any type weather. I also put a Hogue on my 10/22 and like that one too. However, as someone else has mentioned, rifle stock qualities are very much subjective.

I have had a B&C carbelite on my 98 Mauser 30-06 for years. No complaints

No use for a rubber stock. It's because of that stock I don't own a Howa..

I have B&C stocks on Howa 1500s, Mausers, and a Zastava 85.

I've never handled a Hogue stock that I liked enough not to replace.

B&Cs aren't McMs, but they are good stocks and, sometimes, like Richards Micro-Fit stocks, they are the only reasonably priced after-market option, such as for the Interarms Mini-Mauser, Remington 799, and Zastava 85.

Exactly. He may notice an improvement by going with a Basner and will definitely notice by going to a Mcmillan edge or similar stock. A B&C, no not hardly.. I'd keep the Hogue myself..

Have had both. Depending on the model the b&c can be a fine upgrade. Just visit their website. They offer all kinds of weights etc. The hogue stocks I’ve had on howas were a little heavier but no complaints at all. I think it comes down to weight? Both are serviceable stocks IMO

Certainly not all stocks are created equal. I have changed out one wood and one injection molded stock on two Weatherby Mark V’s to B&C stocks with the full length bedding block and have had no issues with fitment or accuracy. They seem to fit my grip and frame just fine. I was not looking for a lighter weight stock in either case, but I think the B&C stocks were about the same or lighter. I have a Vanguard 6.5-300 but have no idea who made the camo stock. Happy Trails

I purchased a used Howa in 300prc recently (too cheap to pass up) with the houge green OM stock. Have not shot it yet but I have to say that the B&C stock on the 35 whelen I used to have was definitely a better handling stock.
The B&C wasn't light (the gun weighed 10.5lbs fully loaded with sling) but I remember it being a better option than the Houge. That B&C was made around 2000/2001 so I don't know how that relates to today's B&C stocks.

I bought a b&c alaskan ti last year and love it

I have had the B & C Alaskan stock on my old M700BDL 270 for several years and really like it. Still have the old integral sling mount stock I used for years before that. Both have been good stocks

Not all the Hogue stocks are rubberized. The rubbery one I did have was always picking up “lint” of some sort and was too grabby on my face. A better cheap choice is the Weatherby Griptonite stock for the Vanguard. It only has textured panels on the grip and forend, and they’re not as sticky. Not a fan of the look with the high comb, but it fits me very well. I bought one for a Howa barreled action and it’s fine; heavy, but so is the rest of the rifle with a rail and 25oz scope.

MtnBoomer, when he’s in the mood, can do wonders with the hard Hogues, reshaping and painting them to look like high-end stuff. I’m very pleased with the one he did for my grandson’s rifle.

I have a new SA Griptonite stock sitting unused if anyone wants it pretty cheap.

I have several B&C stocks on rifles and I really like them. The main caveat is that I did not spend more than $160 on any of them. They are all Medalist models. They are stiff, lighter than what I took off and have good ergos for me. You dont find them used in that price range much any more. It used to be more common. Must be that inflation.