I recently acquired an M70 classic featherweight in 280 Rem, with the intention of fitting it with a McMillan Win compact or hunters edge stock. This will be used as a general purpose hunting rifle.

The cost difference is not really an issue, and I'm not looking for an ultra lite rifle. That being said, are there any pros/cons, other than weight, when choosing edge vs. standard fill in a hunting rifle stock. Thanks, John

I have a standard fill on a Rem 700 Custom .280 Rem. It's the Mt. Rifle pattern. The stock is light enough for me as the gun is used for stand hunting and some still hunting.

I don't have any experience with the Edge so can't help you there.

PM me if you want to sell that rifle though.

6-7oz lighter, but alot of $ per oz. Both work quite well, I'd only go edge when trying to shave every last bit of weight.

A standard fill stock weighs about 32oz. About the same as most standard walnut stocks, and a little MORE than a walnut Featherweight stock.

If I'm not trying to save some weight I'll stick with the factroy stock in most cases. Buying the Edge from here is around $80 more and the only way to go IMHO. If I'm going to spend $440 for a stock that doesn't do anything different from the stock that comes on the rifle, spending $518 for 7oz less weight is a bargain.


Edge stocks also come with pillars standard. Costs extra if you want them in the standard stock.

Be patient I just snagged an Hunters Edge fwt inlet the other day for $375 in the classifieds . Just dropped my M70 SS FWT .30-06 to get pillar bedded into it since it is an ADL style. I'll be into it for the cost of a new edge when all is said and done.

In a FWT I would definitely go Edge. I hate a butt heavy rifle.

A long action FWT in an Edge will scale around 7 pounds with scope if you are at all sensible with your scope and mount selection. A standard McMillan is going to weigh 7.5+ with the same scope and rings. In the FWT contour a Hunter's Edge balances well and is about as good as it gets for a general purpose rifle. The relatively new Winchester Hunter in Edge fill may be a better feeling stock and just a couple ounces heavier......

You will be happy with the Edge....it is hard to get a M70 FW too light.Just the nature of the beast and an Edge matches it perfectly.

In a standard caliber like 270,280, or 30/06,recoil is well managed.

Slamo dunk I'd go Edge fill

Dober

I took the factory stock off today during inspection, before shooting the rifle. I was a little surprised at how light the wood stock actually was. I didn't have a scale, but I can't imagine it would come in more than 25 oz, give or take. Recoil felt a little stout with federal premium 150 partitions, but very manageable. I think the edge fill will keep the weight and balance about the same, which is very good as it is. Seems like a no brainer. Thanks for the input.

That is definitely my choice as well, especially with a fwt barrel.

Yep. Go for balance.

The edge stocks seem a little stiffer than standard glass ones, which is another factor in favour of the edge. I would definitely go with the edge on a featherweight for balance (as others have said).

Ok just a few things here and I built a 280AI with a fw barrel in a edge fill stock.

A Winchester feather weight isn't as light as it sounds. A standard fill stock wouldn't suck. I don't like the "feather weight" pattern. I used hunters edge....compact with edge fill

I totally agree with the guy that said build for balance. A edge fill will balance nice. Depending on barrel length a standard fill might too.

The fella that says anything other than edge fill is a waste of money is simply incorrect. Comparing a standard fill stock of 32oz to a factory stock the weighs 32oz is more than funny. How many options do you have with a 32oz factory stock? How stiff is it?...........lol

Definitely.

Love the FW barreled action in the Hunter's EDGE.

You may be surprised that your stock probably weighs more like 32 oz's so you will most likely lose almost a 1/2 a pound by going with the edge (hunters compact pattern)...I've got one on my EW and I love it.

If that fwt stock fits you well, I'd personally think long and hard about a mcmillan fwt with the edge technology. I had a compact edge and didn't care for the stock fit myself. So much so that I sold the rifle.
For myself, if I was going that way (mcmillan stock) I'd thin about a sako classic with the edge technology, I believe they can be inletted for a winchester.(one of the many advantages of mcmillan stocks)
Best bet is being able to handle several stocks to see what suits you, before dropping $500+.
One primary reason I am running a couple remington 700s right now is that there are several stocks for them that fit me very well, but that's another discussion!