Benchrest Stocks ?

F

Frankr

Member
I'm currently in the market for a short range bechreststock for a sporter/LV weight rifle.
I would like to know what is your favorite stock ? and why?

I only have experience with the older style mcmillian BR stock and also the mcmillian Edge stock as well. I have had a few different rifle with either the old BR stock or the edge stock and one mcmillian made Bruno stock. Not that they dont work ok but i dont really know what else is out there and what is a better tracking stock.. This is why i ask...So lets hear your opioion on what you feel is the best stock.
 
Thank you FBecigneul...Yes you see why i'm interested in getting some different opinions as to what works for them and why. because it's not easy to pick a stock that would seem to work well for it all.. What kind of shooter am i ? I'm not really sure...I dont squeeze the rear bag, I do turn knobs(no joy stick) I will shoot what ever the rifle tells me it wants to shoot small groups. If i have to hold it like a bear,I will..If it likes a little thumb pressure.will shoot free. I guess my main shooting is group. but i will shoot some score. so I dont really have a style at this point. I will shoot the rifle with different styles and bag set up's till i have it shooting in a hole and then i will try to stick with that style for that rifle and set up..Not all rifles shoot the same or ride the same or tune the same. Kind of sounds like i have gun problems..lol.. No i'm to inexperienced of a shooter to really know..so i was hopeing to get some info to help me decide what stock i will try and if i can find a style that works for me consistantly.
 
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FBecigneul,which kelby's stock would that be? seems they have a few models to choose from.
 
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Fbeicgneul's favorite rifle used to be mine. At the time it was built off the Lee Six stockwhich is now built by Kelbly. Our Lee Six stocks have rounded bases that ride in the rear bag the newest variety of that stock has a FlatBase. I wanted another of those stocks and was told they aren't available. The molds that Kelbly got in the LeeSix deal were so bad that they no longer can make that stock. The new design or copy is pretty close, but has the flat base which requires a 2 or 3 stitch wide seperated rear ears. I believe they call the new one BRFB or Bench rest flat base?

I would rather have the rounded base but Kelblys won't duplicate that mold.... I've asked, and so have others

Paul
 
Ok Thanks for you input on this guys.. I'm looking at them and just so you know someone else also recommended the kelby stock..Dang..I wish they had a better finish.
I'm not going to paint it.
 
I used a McMillian stock and bag squeezed for several years then went to a wood stock and was able to find my point of aim faster and did not have to bag squeeze any more and just use the left/right windage as I just slide the rifle back and forth for the up/down poa. The wood stock absorbs the recoil much better in my opinion ( but Francis tells me I don't know what I am doing) even though I have two world records. (love you FB)
 
I had Tom Dixon from BAT Machine make mine it was made similar to the McMillian so it was not a big change from what I was using. I think he has another style also. I am not sure of Tom's working schedule doing stocks but there are other wood stock makers and I am sure someone that is reading these post will be able to give you info on others for you.
 
mark-x said:
Ok Thanks for you input on this guys.. I'm looking at them and just so you know someone else also recommended the kelby stock..Dang..I wish they had a better finish.
I'm not going to paint it.
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If you want a perfect tracking stock with a flawless finish and beautiful wood consider the stocks Terry Leonard makes.
 
Jerry i have looked for them and can find nothing. seems to be very little info on them other Than i hear they are expensive.
how do i find out about them?
 
mark you've gotten some very good answers from some VERY qualified people :)

You asked a good question, THIS is what this site's about mon!

al
 
Becareful who you buy what stock from.
I bought one of the xyz stocks year before last.
Had a lot of problem with the tracking and was talking with some of the guys at our local matches.
3 of them mentioned that he was selling bad stocks knowingly.
This one had a very uneven width across the fore end.
One of the old timers took it and evened it up on a mill for me. Looks funny now but tracks a lot better.
 
MR Alinwa, Mr Tom

Alinwa, Tom

alinwa
mark you've gotten some very good answers from some VERY qualified people
You asked a good question, THIS is what this site's about mon!
al
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Tom Libby said:
I used a McMillian stock and bag squeezed for several years then went to a wood stock and was able to find my point of aim faster and did not have to bag squeeze any more and just use the left/right windage as I just slide the rifle back and forth for the up/down poa. The wood stock absorbs the recoil much better in my opinion ( but Francis tells me I don't know what I am doing) even though I have two world records. (love you FB)
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Sorry Al,

I don't believe that this is what this site is about, (trying to discredit one shooters ability based on their choice of stock for their choice of shooting discipline score over group, based solely on your good fortune of being in the right place at the right time twice.) I think it's about trying to help MarkX in his choice of stock.

Short Range (Point Blank) BR = 100, 200, and 300 yards (Group or Score)

It's my belief that for short range BR you should have 2 good rifles and in some cases 3. The first rifle is a LV or (Sporter) rifle chambered in in 6ppc. Why because it can be used at any match you attend. It can be used in score, it can be used as a HV, and it can be used as an Unlimited. It will only be best suited for what it is built for though, LV/Sporter. This rifle should have a low rider styled stock made of red cedar, redwood, or obeche, it tracks well and gets aimed at one of 2 targets easily (record or sighter). Dad (Francis) uses a Bob Metric Stocked ppc, I use a John Pierce stocked ppc. I do not use mine for score, although I could in a pinch, it's just not designed for that prupose.

The second rifle is a dedicated Score rifle. A dedicated VFS rifle can weigh as much as 13.5 pounds. For obvious reasons it should be chambered in .30BR, but I have seen a few 6ppcs. This rifle should have a stock on it the tracks well in the bags, but has enough drop in the heel to use the fore and aft movement of the rifle to get from the extreme top and bottom of the Score Target quickly. This is where the Kelbly (Lee Six) stock that we use and promote excels. Now the (True) score shooters will argue that a single dedicated score rifle should be a Hunter Class rifle. A dedicated Hunter Class rifle can be used for Varmint Hunter, or for VFS legally without changing a thing. I have a dedicated Hunter Class or Varmint Hunter Rifle. So MY VFS rifle also becomes dedicated for VFS and not needed for HTR or VH. This Dedicated VFS rifle should have a stock that allows you to get from top to bottom of the score target quickly without issue.

The third rifle can be a dedicated HV rifle for group shooting. This rifle should be chambered in 6ppc, and should have a low rider styled stock like was used on the LV/Sporter rifle. This style or shape of stock should be made with heavier wood like walnut. The end result is a rifle that is shaped correctly, and balances well at the maximum allowable weight of 13.5 pounds. This rifle will excel for HV and Unlimited class group shooting and won't be as good for score because of it's inability to get around a score target quickly. The Rifle mentioned above which is a dedicated Score rifle could be used as a HV rifle but also would not work as well with group as it does in score due the the stock configuration which is not as well suited for the 2 target game of group.

Our rifles have placed with many firsts in both group and score at the local, regional, and national level for over 15 years time. Shooters from all over the country can attest to that. Does that qualify my beliefs on how a rifle and stock should be set up?

I was told that if I don't have anything good to say, to just not say anything... I have nothing more to say Mr Tom.

Paul
 
Years ago, I was told that Speedy had a well heeled customer that had the equipment to digitally scan objects. To see which short range benchrest stock was the straightest, he bought one of each and scanned them. The Robertson Composites stock ended up being the winner, by a significant margin. I should add that I have seen all sorts of stocks win, including some that were reputed to be uniformly crooked. If you read Mike Ratigan's book, I believe that he is among the advocates of fixing stocks so that they track, rather than putting up with their deficiencies. I believe that this can be done, and is just a matter of finding the right gunsmith. Some stock designs, that are very good for free recoil shooting, may not be a good fit for being held, but a straight stock that is comfortable to hold, may work well free. I shoot a Six manufactured SG&Y Millennium that some would find too thick at the tang for comfort, holding. I have big hands, so it is not a problem for me. I have tried others that were probably more comfortable for most shooters to hold that tracked well free recoil. I would suggest that if you can manage it, that you try several designs to see what you like best, before investing.
 
Is there anything else other than the drop at heel that makes one stock design easier to get around a score target? How much of that applies if one is using a joystick rest?

Greg J.
 
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