[hksw]

Well, finally got my Win Mod 70 Stealth (.308). Ordered 08/02, arrived 04/03. The gun looks good, initially. Upon closer examination, the front of the forearm bends very slightly to the right towards the tip. The left side of the barrel channel nearly touches the barrel. The barrel is actually free floating as I can slide a sheet of paper between the stock and the tube. However, two sheets will touch the stock.:( The butt has a small bit if cast inward. I actually like this as the buttpad fits better into the pocked of my shoulder. IIRC, the OE stock for the Stealth is an HS Precision.

Although the stock should be functional and I'm planning to sand the inside of the forearm a little to get more barrel clearance, it just don't look right. (Not to deride HSP as the one on my Win Mod 70 Varmint (.22-250) looks and works great.) So, I'm-a thinkin'. I realy like the McMillan A2 stock on my other Win .308 and am considering dropping out the HSP stock. Does anyone know of a source other than McMillan that sells McMillan stocks? Specifically the A4? (I've heard the wait for stocks from McMillan is lengthy.) Just researching at the moment, nothing definite on purchasing.

What are your opinions on McMillan stocks and the campany? What are your opinions on other manucaturers like HSP and Brown?

Thanks in advanced.

[Mute]

Choosing the right stock is very subjective, but from an objective point of view, McMillan knows how to make a good stock. No dout.

[cratz2]

I've seen the same thing with other HS stocks. Maybe the barrel isn't exactly straight in the action to the .001" Over 12 or 15" this can make a difference. This will matter to some folks and not to others.

Having said that, if you set the rifle up as it will be shot (bipod or rest) and can get one piece of paper up to the action, it should not affect your accuracy potential. On the other hand, it's isn't a whole lot of work to float the barrel just a little bit better. :p

Few will complain about McMillan stocks. Unless they have some sort of agenda against them or unless they complain about EVERYTHING made since 1936. ;)

[mpthole]

I really like the McMillan A4 I have on my Rem 700. Its an older one, so the adjustable cheekpiece isn't 'integral' to the buttstock, but it still serves its purpose. I have an older A2 (at least I think its an A2) stock that's laying around doing nothing if you're interested in buying it. I'll see if I can get a digital picture taken in the next week... let me know if you're interested.

[echo3mike]

You can look in the For Sale sections of Sniper's Hide (http://www.snipershide.com) or Sniper's Paradise (http://www.snipersparadise.com) in the forum sections. E-Bay can have them from time to time.

Retail outlets for McMillan stocks include Brownells (http://www.brownells.com) or Tactical Stocks (http://www.tacticalstocks.com) .

(Edited to add: Brownells doesn't carry McMillan stocks...thought they did. My gaff...)

Kelly McMillan frequents Sniper's Hide, and has offered the members there some pretty sweet deals, including having them as the test population for the A5 stock, used M40A1 stocks direct from the U.S.M.C. S/S units, and has had a couple of the members there come out to the Arizona factory to get fitted for their stocks. He's a good guy, as was Gale, and is a wealth of information as well. Might be worth while to contact him if you're interested in something specific.

S.

[hksw]

Thanks for the replies. I will check out those site e3m.

Thanks for the offer mpthole, but I'm really set on the A4 if in fact I go this route.

Working on the Stealth would, however, give me a good opportunity to see what I can do myself. I'll certainly shoot it in stock form before swapping out parts.

[Nero Steptoe]

You can open up the barrel channel on an H-S Precision stock, using a Dremel, flexible shaft and drum sander. I probably have 1/16" or so clearance on my H-S VS stock.