I want to build a rifle for my sons, 1 at a time. I picked up a couple of Stiller Predators on a group buy at SH. They should be here this week. I have a mountain rifle McSwirly in 80%od/20% black on order. Thinking 7-08 but having a hard time deciding between 2 or 3 contour. Will be 21-22 inches finished. Can a #3 be fluted? I have a 9 twist Lilja #3 7mm blank. Any idea what this rifle finished with a #3 would weigh with factory bdl metal?

I'm thinking about seeing if Mr. Coleman will lend me his talent on this one.

Project is taking shape and the son is getting excited!!!!!!!!!!

In a MR stock, I'd go #2.

John

What's the lead time on a Stiller now?

I think I would go with a #2 as well.. Make sure to look at the specs for the maker you go with as they all differ somewhat..

My 700 short actoin is wearing a 24" #3 Krieger in 22-250. It's in the Remington Hunter stock, which I'm sure is a little heaver. I'd say the bare rifle weighs between 7.5 and 8 pounds. It's no lighweight. With what you've got to work with, I'd go #2 if not #1/featherweight. Sounds like a nice little package, but the #3 will make it nose heavy I'm pretty sure. It balances well with this heaver stock.

David

I would go #3 lilja.

3 all the way!

Most #3's will be like a fat chick stuffed in too small of a pair of jeans in a Mountain Rifle stock,IOW's, bursting at the seams. I believe the reason the stock got that name was for the rifle's svelte proportions.
A #2 will be a much better fit.

I would add the best time to make the decision is before you order the stock.

You could use the #3 on the next build and order a compact or classic for it, and yes you could/can flute it. #2 on this one.

Tell your son's I said they have a very cool dad -grin-.

I like a lilja #2. In the mt.rifle thats pretty much perfection for me.

I'd go #2. I'm putting together a 280AI right now with a Brux #3 (identical to Kreiger's contours) & wish I'd have gone with a #2. The #3 is stuffed. I'll take some pics if you'd like to see what it looks like.

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I need a #2 for the MR (anybody have one laying around they want to part with?). I think I'll put the #3 on the second one in a classic or compact. I may even go EDGE to off set the weight, but that may make it too nose heavy, but I'm not sure since I'm cutting it at 20" or 21" Actually, I like rifles to be a little nose heavy. Now I've got to research the Classic vs Compact...always something.....

Hawk1 - I'm not sure. I ordered through someone else on a group buy in Dec and they just shipped

#2 with a classic is going to be hard to beat.

Short actions are mostly in stock currently. Longs will be a few months.

Ditto.

If not going MR, and the plan is for a 21" tube, I'd opt (without hesitation) for a #3 in a Classic Compact.

I have a 24" #3 in a Edge and "I" think it feels great. The weight is a "touch" toward the front, but I like it like that.

I didn't mean you would want a 24" barrel. Just sayin that I don't think it would be nose heavy at 21-22".

Im running a #2 pacnor on a model 7 and think its a great balance. I know the pacnors are a little fat and seem to be between the 2 and 3 of some of the other barrel makers.

I've got a #3 Lilja and there is no way I'd want to stuff it in an MR handle. The #2 I have in an MR handle is max in my book.