I'm looking to replace the Hogue on my Howa 1500 and am considering either a standard hunter-style stock from Bell and Carlson or the Weatherby monte carlo style. I've never owned a Weatherby rifle - I prefer the looks of a traditional stock but if the fancy-shaped Weatherby style is more effective at transferring recoil comfortably, I'd consider buying one. I know stock fit is personal, but which would you purchase?

Weatherby

I have the Weatherby style on jy Remington 300WM. Makes for a very comfortable set up.

What caliber in the Howa?

If you can find a Weatherby to fondle before making the stock purchase do that.

The Echols legend stock on my .300 wby M70 is more comfortable to me than the factory H-S Precision stock that was on the .300 wby MKV Accumark I used to own.

Everyone is different. This is a choice only you can make

B&C is an easy pass................

If you're just looking to replace one of those rubbery Hogues, Weatherby will sell you one of their Vanguard stocks for about $130, a definite improvement, and maybe a bit lighter than the B&C. I don't much care for the lines, but they're quit comfortable and line me up on the scope well.

Where are you located? I have a couple of the Weatherby style stocks on Howa/Vanguard rifles. Personally I find them to be too chunky in the wrist, but they are quite durable. Mine have been bedded--variations in which showed that the aluminum block is good, but it is not a perfect fit to every action (or perhaps it is the other way 'round). Note: The Weatherby-style stock for the Vanguard is NOT the same as the B&C stock that is being put on the Mark V Weatherby--that stock is considerably thinner in the wrist/has a deeper heel area.

I prefer the Weatherby style, but the current production Weatherby Vanguard2 "Griptonite" stocks are much, much, much better than the older Howa 1500 stocks and are only $140 straight from Weatherby.

www.weatherby.com/products/accessories/gun-parts

I have three different stocks on V2s andf Howa 1500s:

For me, the best stock is the McM Hunter style that I have on a pair of V2s in 223 and 6.5 CM. The V2s have 24" barrels and the McM Hunter style stock significantly improved the balance and feel of those rifles.

I have the B&C Weatherby style stocks on a pair of Howa 1500s in 243 and 6.5 CM. These Howa 1500s have 22" barrels and while I like the B&C stocks, I don't know if I like them more than the current V2 factory stocks. I also have this style of stock on a couple of long action Remington 700s and would probably have bought more of them if they were made for short action 700s and Model 7s.

I have the current V2 factory stocks on a pair of long action 1500s, a 6.5x55 and a 30-06. I tried five different stocks on the 6.5x55 before settling on the current V2 style.

IMO, the current V2 style stocks are the best design of injection molded synthetic stocks currently being used by any firearms manufacturer.

I like the normal sporter style over the Weatherby style.

I wanna see! My favorite stock and an action I think very highly of!

What would you suggest?

Budget? Application? Chambering?.................

Application is hunting. Chambering is 30-06. How much do I need to spend to get a quality stock?

In '06,I'd simply trip the Howa in current guise and go 700.

You'll reap greater COAL latitude and can score a better quality handle,for less loot.

Hint.................

Do you Reload?.............