Hey guys, looking to order my first McMillan stock but am having a hard time determining which pattern to go with. This stock will be going on a left-hand Savage Model 16 Lightweight Hunter in .250 Savage that I just ordered this morning. I know I will have to switch to a blind magazine but that's not an issue as I don't care for the Axis-style DBM setup anyway. Of course my being a lefty rules out the Mountain Rifle pattern as an option which seems to be a favorite around here.

Rifle Details:

Action: LH Savage center-feed S/A (4.40" screw spacing) with bottom (trigger guard) bolt release
Barrel: 20" factory straight taper (0.550" @ muzzle)
Scope Mount: DNZ Hunt Masters (low)
Optic: Leupy VX-2 3-9x40

Patterns I'm looking at:

- Compact/Hunters Edge
- McMillan Hunter
- Classic

Since I can't handle each to see which I like the feel of or which fits me best I'm hoping those of you that have one or more of these stocks can chime in and give your feedback on each. I'm pretty average build (5'11, 190-lbs) so most factory stocks fit me well, so I'm more interested in feedback on the nuances like grip width/angle, forearm shape/width, and buttstock thickness. The one measly photo on McMillan's site doesn't answer these questions, and since PhotoBucket got greedy most all of the pictures in the older threads I could refer to on here are inoperable.

Thanks in advance!

Do you like a palm swell? Go with the hunter, like trim and fit? Go with the Edge. Like Remington 700 factory stocks? Go with the Classic. Seriously if it were me, and I have all three, I would go Edge since it already is a lightweight rifle.

I've several McMillan Hunter stocks, Classics and a Hunter's Edge. I like them all, but favor the McMillan Hunter as a general purpose hunting stock. The Classic is a bit larger in the forearm than either the Hunter or Hunter's Edge/Compact. In my opinion the Classic is proportioned better for a blind magazine than either the Hunter or Hunter's Edge/Compact. I really like the geometry of the McMillan Hunter pistol grip, its mild cast off, and the svelte forearm. The Hunter's Edge/Compact is a trim stock with a very similar forearm to the McMillan Hunter. I like the comb height, but it is best suited to a low mounted scope.

In a gel coat finish, I'd use either the Classic or McMillan Hunter. I like them both. If you're using Edge fill, then I'd go Hunter's Edge/Compact.

I like the hunter.

I'm not a fan of the comb or grip geometry of the Compact/Hunter's Edge, so for me, it would boil down to the Classic or the McMillan Hunter. I don't think there is really a bad choice here, but you'd have to handle some stocks to see which feels "right". The factory Sako stocks are going to get you closer to the feel of the McM Hunter, with their palm swell and comb, although some may be thicker through the forend than the McM Hunter. Most modern 700 tupperware is not a radical departure from the Classic shape, except there is a cheek piece and the forends are a touch slimmer than the actual Classic. They handle quite similarly otherwise, concerning proportions and grip. I honestly like both styles, and the Classic is very user friendly to nearly anybody, but the Sako-ish patterns feel like they "fit" me a touch better.

I have several of the Mcmillan Hunter stocks and like them a lot.

Hunters for me all the way.

Whichever pattern you decide on, go with Edge fill. Not only for weight savings but also for better balance with your light barrel.

For a setup like yours, I'd personally go with a Hunters Edge.

Good call on the fill. Edge fill will balance that barrel better.

Yes. Edge and Hunter.

Unless you don't like the Hunter.




Dave

Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming!

I've narrowed it down to the Compact/Hunters Edge and McMillan Hunter patterns at this point, and yes - I will definitely be doing the Edge fill (even though I really like the swirly look). I happen to have a 16 LWH in .223 Rem in for T&E right now and the factory tupperwear stock weights right at 2-lbs. which is what McMillan is listing for both patterns with standard fill (give or take). It's not bad, but could definitely benefit from having the balance point moved a little further forward with the lighter fill. I have a 4-16x44mm Trophy Xtreme mounted on it (20oz.) with a DNZ GameReeper mount and it weighs in just a hair under seven pounds. The Leupy scope will save me a about 9-oz. and the Edge fill should save me another 8-9 ounces, so the finished package should weigh about 6 pounds. Not quite an ultra-lite in my book, but darn close and not bad for a Savage which is a fairly heavy action in standard trim.

As for switching to a blind magazine, the main reason is because most of the McM stocks aren't the right depth for Savage's bottom metal to sit flush with the bottom of the stock. The only stocks McMillan can inlet for the Savage DBM or HFP bottom metal (per Varian Zingaro) are the A5, the A3-5, the A3 and the HTG). This is a big reason why you don't see many people running McMillan stocks on their Savage rifles - most aren't willing to give up their detachable magazine or hinged floorplate. If McM would take the time to make up some Savage specific molds and rework their patterns a little to accommodate the DBM/HFP hardware they'd be a much bigger player in the Savage market. It used to be most Savage owners wouldn't dream of spending that kind of money for a stock, but these days they're spending $600-1,000 for an aluminum chassis so dropping $5-6 bills on a Micky isn't a big deal.

Another vote for the Hunter Edge...

Well chit!

Just got off the phone with McMillan and they pretty much threw a couple wrenches into my plan. Story of my life with these damn Savage's! LOL

First, they told me they can't do the Edge Tech fill on a Savage but they can do the graphite cloth though it's really not worth the extra money to upgrade to the graphite on a Savage because it only saves about 2-4 ounces. So that pretty much killed any weight savings benefit of going with the Compact/Hunters Edge over the Classic or McM Hunter. So I decided to go with the McM Hunter in a standard fill instead...that's when the second wrench came out of no where and hit me upside the head. Seems they don't have the Savage's Lightweight Hunter barrel contour on file yet so they would need me to send my rifle in for them to use as a pattern - and I would get to pay them an additional $56 for the privilege.

The problem with that is 1) the right-hand one in .223 Rem that I presently have is a T&E loaner from Savage, and the Left-hand one I special ordered in .250 Savage probably won't show up here for another 2 months or so. So either I'd have to buy the loaner I have here and ship it out to McMillan or wait until my s/o one shows up to send out to them.

So much for getting the stock ordered early so the wait wouldn't be so long after the rifle arrives.

Barrel: 20" factory straight taper (0.550" @ muzzle)

This is a small barrel and would look crappy in a mcmillan classic or a new mcmillan hunter. These forends can take MUCH more contour than that.

Add that to all of the above problems and I would move on from this idea. Savage's are cheap utility guns that shoot well. Get a higher quality gun and then get the nice Mcmillan. Just my advice, take it or throw it down the crapper.

Best

You could do yourself an enormous favor in the long run and cancel the Savage rifle order.

Then get a Tikka T3, order a McMillan with Edge fill and be done.

That is about the most trouble free way to roll.

The rifle is going to balance like crap with a Standard fill Hunter, also.

Do what MacKay said.

On the Classic or McM Hunter you're probably right which is why I held off on placing an order. Right now I'm waiting to hear back from Manner's on their EH6 and EH8 stocks. They seem to be more up-to-date with their inlets and options when it comes to Savage rifles, but detailed info on their patters is greatly lacking on their website. The factory tupperwear stock (non-AccuStock) weights right at 2-lbs by my scale and the balance point is just behind the front action screw which isn't bad at all.

As for the "cheap utility guns" comment, I was wondering how long it was going to take. LOL You're entitled to your opinion, but I've had several dozen Savage rifles come through here for T&E over the last 15 years - most of which had no problem shooting sub MOA with factory fodder. In fact, I can only think of a couple that wouldn't and those were rimfires. Sure, I could go out and dropped $2,500 or so on a titanium 700 clone, a Bartlein barrel and a McMillan or Manners stock, or just order a NULA for $3,600, but would all that extra money get me a rifle that shoots any better than a "cheap utility" Savage? I highly doubt it. Ditto for buying a Tikka or any other brand rifle and rebarreling/restocking it to get what I want. It's a little more difficult to get exactly what you want for a Savage at times because (like you) some manufacturers in the industry still snub their nose at them and refuse to support them as much as they do other brands, but that's all part of the challenge.

So yeah, I have no qualms about my "cheap utility" Savage's. I'll happily take the money I'm saving and put it towards a hunting trip or two.

I suspect a lot of the reason manufacturers aren’t in a big hurry to build high end hunting rifle stocks specifically for Savage is because the market isn’t there. Sure, the “shooter” crowd may build chassis rifles on Savages, but most hunters buying Savages are not going to spend big money - they are the guys wanting something cheap.

You might be surprised. In the past that was very much true - even just 5-10 years ago, but in the last few years that's been changing. These days those wanting something cheap are buying a Savage Axis or Ruger American, or possibly even a Remington 783 (funny how the latter two are Savage clones - as are the Mossbergs). Those buying the 110-Series models still are those wanting higher quality stuff. And given how chinsy the base Savage synthetic stock is most are looking to upgrade it right from the start. Boyds has cornered the wood/laminate replacement stock market for these guns, but there's still really no good quality synthetic stock option available at this point.

I will be the first to admit though, Savage has been their own worse enemy in this regard over the last 10-15 years with their series of running changes. Can't expect the aftermarket to fully get on board when the product is constantly changing.

That makes sense. I completely understand - same thing goes with the 77/22, 77/357, 77/44, 77,17 series, as Mcmillan won’t make a sporter stock for these rifles, only the Rimfire Magnum Varmint. So owners are SOL when it comes to a high quality fiberglass stock in hunting dimensions. Funny thing is Mcmillan had a really nice mold for the 77/22s, and last I heard it broke and they wouldn’t build another one....despite me calling and bothering them about it regularly!

Still, one has to think about from Mcmillan’s perspective. How many folks would actually order the stocks, and when would the company turn a profit on their investment? As I recall a new mold was a pretty significant investment for Mcmillan, and if they build 2 stocks a year for some specialized rifle it’s not really worth it for them to go to the hassle.

Yeah, it gets back to the age old question of: Which came first, the chicken or the egg.

Since Savage came out with the Model 11/111 Lightweight Hunter back in 2012 I've been repeatedly putting the bug into their ear about teaming up with McMillan to offer a stainless/synthetic model with the Hunter's Edge stock. McMillan would have to make a new specific mold for a Savage to use the Edge Technology, but if Savage were offering it on a production rifle from the factory they would be ordering enough to offset the cost of the mold. And since the Hunters Edge is ambidextrous in design they could also offer it in LH through the Special Order Dept. by keeping one or two LH stocks on hand for such orders. This year they came out with the 16/116 Lightweight Hunter, but it comes with the same lousy synthetic stock that the Trophy Hunter models wears. That keeps the cost down, but it definitely leaves a lot to be desired. It's decisions like this that keep Savage from elevating themselves to the next level and changing how some people view their products.

"Doc, it hurts when I do this" - Doc; "don't do that".....

But life gets real boring real fast when you just go with the flow and adopt the Monkey See - Monkey Do mentality.

You are correct.

I'm a savage fan but I haven't bought one in years.

In my opinion their forte is the "cheap but accurate" market, and recently they've been pricing themselves out of that market. I can't fault your logic that they shoot well, but nowadays you can get that cheap with several other makes like the Ruger American. Savage is working against themselves by jacking prices up, they're moving out of their niche.

Two of my prairie dog rifles are Savage M10's so I'm very familiar with them They both have criterion barrels and shoot lights out. That being said, I draw the line at putting a $600 mcmillan on them, that won't happen. They are and always will be inexpensive rifles that shoot well, If I'm going to gussie up a rifle I'm not going to start with a savage. I agree with the poster that said if you want to trick out one with a mcmillan start with a Tikka or something similar.

At what price point is a rifle cheap?

The Savage Axis is the cause of this. When Savage was developing the Axis, they had to hit a price point to undercut the new Mossberg bolt-action that was undercutting their base 110 offerings. To hit that mark Savage had to cut their profit margin on the Axis, so to make up for it they raised their profit margin on the 110-Series rifles. As the Axis took off like wild fire the 110-series sales dropped significantly so Savage developed the new Trophy Hunter line of package rifles that used the cheaper Axis-style DBM's and firing pin assembly. These have a lower profit margin like the Axis rifles, so again they raised the profit margin on the more premium models in the 110-series (Weather Warriors, Classics, FP's, etc) to account for it. This is why their prices have jumped so much on certain models in recent years.

Oddly enough, right now you can buy a Model 12FV Varmint (blued, heavy barrel with synthetic stock) from Cabela's for $369 (MSRP of $698). That's less than a plain old Model 11/111 Hunter Series rifle cost 15 years ago.

A few months back I called to order a edge filled stock for a Savage 16 LWH 243, gun shot great but hated the stock. After talking with McMillan I too was told I would be paying $$$ and would not get the weight saving, I sold the LWH 16 and picked up a Kimber Montana in 243...

I have faced this same dilemma, I ordered a McMillan edge fill stock for my Savage, two months into the wait Rick called and said McMillan no longer makes the Savage stocks with the edge fill.
I cancelled my order because this was to be a lightweight build.
So I contacted Manners and ordered an EH8, well five months into the order they emailed me saying my blank was ready but they couldn't inlet for a Savage?
I emailed them back asking what my alternatives were, couple of weeks later no answer?
So then I called and asked for Robert in customer service, receptionist said he was on another line and could she have him call me back? gave my number and waited, no call?
Tried calling Manners a couple more times during daytime business hours and got an answering machine, I hate to leave messages but I went ahead and left my info.
That was two weeks ago and nothing!
Cant recall ever seeing such poor customer service.
I refuse to do business with companies that provide that level of customer service.

I bet Rick Steinhour could get a stock fitted to that Savage.

http://extremerifleworks.com/

Pointer,


It appears Rick specializes in MPI stocks. That is my next option I am considering. I bought my first and only MPI in 1985 back then we didnt have many choices.
It was a good serviceable stock and gave me many years of trouble free service.
Maybe it is time to give them another try?

Why not the Mountain Rifle style?

I really like the McM Hunter style, but wonder if it is too robust a stock for a 20" barrel and might come out butt-heavy like most "as issued" 20" Remington Sevens.

The shortest barrels that I have in McM Hunter styles stocks are 22" Remington 700 LVSF barreled actions and I don't think that they balance quite as well as the 24" 700 CDL-SF and 700 SPS barreled actions.

I've never had any work done by Rick. That said, the work I've seen here and elsewhere about his work looks great! He's definitely creative and willing to think out of the box.

Called MPI today and asked how long the wait time was for a stock. They said two to three weeks! Almost fell out of my chair!

Good grief between McMillan and Manners my project has been delayed by 6 months.

Oh and the lady at MPI was friendly and knowledgeable, really knowledgeable, as in she knew her chit.

So I ordered a mountain rifle blank with the ultra light carbon fiber shell. Should weight 16oz before pad and bedding!

By my calculations my Savage should weight 6lbs with a Leupold 6x42. Woohoo