AG Composites vs McMillan

[DixonFive0]

Hi everyone,

I have two questions. I have a Rem 700 BDL in 7mm mag. Im replacing the stock on it, and I dont know what the factory barrel contour is. Is it the factory sporter or magnum sporter? All I know is its the factory 24" barrel.

This will be primarily be a ladder tree stand hunting rifle. I've narrowed it down to the AG Carbon All Terrain (CAT) or the McMillan Hunter.
AG uses carbon fiber in all their stocks, and the CAT comes in at 26oz. The McMillan Hunter is around 30oz. If I forego the McMillan Edge fill, and with a little first responder discount it brings it to only a $12 difference. McMillan being $12 more.

Both companies I spoke to don't recommend bedding their stocks, but you certainly can. I would prefer not to bed the action if I dont need to. Mcmillan has always had a good reputation. AG Composites produces factory stocks for Bergera, Barrett, and Kimber to name a few. They are also known for high quality.

Considering what I will be doing with it, for a $12 difference which would you choose?

Thanks

 

[sarduy]

I have looked at both and to be honest you can toss a coin. They are both good. If you can touch them see what feels better in your hands.

ETA: AG CAT

 

[jmr40]

I have no direct experience with AG Composites, but have had 2 Bergara's, a Kimber and have had probably 1/2 dozen McMillans as well as one Brown Precision stock. The Bergara's were a Hunter model and Ridge, still have the Hunter, sold the Ridge. Those are really cheap stocks that just LOOK nice. They are not a high quality stock. They may use a higher quality stock in the high end rifles but I've not seen one 1st hand.

The synthetic on my Kimber Montana is however just as well constructed as my McMillan stocks. But Kimber is now offering a cheaper version of the same rifle with a less expensive stock called the Kimber Hunter. Just looking at the AG Composites website I'd guess that may be the Kimber stock they are producing.

Looking at their website they are pretty vague about how they are constructed and I can find no photos showing the inletting or barrel channel which is a big clue as to how they are made. But this quote from their FAQ section leads me to believe it isn't made the same way as a McMillan or Brown Precision.

AG Composite LLC carbon fiber composite rifle stocks can be bedded, sanded and drilled using common woodworking techniques.

You can bed a McMillan or other high quality stock, but you have to be VERY careful sanding and you can only drill in certain places. That leads me to believe the AG Composite stocks are made exactly the same way the cheap plastic stocks that come from the factory are made. Basically molten plastic poured into a mold. They add a bit of carbon fiber to make it seem expensive. This is how B&C as well as HS-Precision make their stocks, but they use an aluminum chassis for strength.

McMillan and other high end stocks use laminated layers of either fiberglass, or Kevlar cloth to form the core of the stock from in front of the recoil lug to back past the pistol grip. Same idea as plywood, except cloth glued together. The outer shell of the stock is 2-3 layers of fiberglass or Kevlar cloth that is hollow in the center. They use expanding foam to fill in the middle. Instead of forming the inletting by pouring the stock in a mold it is cut using milling machines exactly the way a wood stock is made. The result is an extremely strong stock, but with less weight and precise fitting.

But you have to be careful NOT to sand through the outer shell, and you can only drill in specific spots that were designed for sling studs. You have an inch or so to work with to cut for correct LOP before you get into the hollow portion of the stock.

Bear in mind this is just conjecture based on looking at their website. But I know McMillan is a good stock. It would be worth the extra for the EDGE to me They are made from Kevlar vs fiberglass on the standard stock and are about 1/2 lb lighter. They also come standard with pillars which is worth the added cost alone.

If the price is just too much a B&C Medalist is a lot cheaper and they offer a version at about 30 oz for Remington. Due to the metal insert they are a bit thick through the grip and forend, but they are a tough, proven stock.

Last time I checked there was about a 3-4 month wait for a McMillan. At times it has been 6 months. They don't build until you order. Many of the others are in stock and can be shipped right away. Just something to think about. I picked up most of mine used in the classified section of various gun related forums.

I've seen some 7 mags with a magnum contour barrels, some with sporter. Most everything bigger gets magnum. You'll just have to get some calipers and measure.

 

[Varminterror]

Both companies I spoke to don't recommend bedding their stocks,

I have not spoken with or bought from AG, but the above is not correct for McMillan.

 

[DixonFive0]

I called and spoke to both companies to get recommendations and pricing and this is what I was told. In fact the McMillan rep was adamant that McMillan designed their stocks to not need bedding. Apparently this was one of the requirements for the contract they won for the US Military.

I dont know how old the above video is, but this is a picture from Mcmillan's website under the FAQ's. McMillan doesn't even offer bedding at their shop anymore.

 

[MCMXI]

I have a lot of experience with AG Composites and they make a quality product. They use proprietary materials in their stocks, in addition to carbon fiber, fiberglass and aluminum (for the pillars). The stocks are very strong, very stiff and typically very light for what they are. I have at least seven stocks from AG Composites. You might want to look at Iota stocks too. I have a bunch of Iota stocks including some for Remington 700 so if you're interested send me a PM

Kimber is now offering a cheaper version of the same rifle with a less expensive stock called the Kimber Hunter. Just looking at the AG Composites website I'd guess that may be the Kimber stock they are producing.

The Kimber Hunter stock is injection molded by a company in Syracuse, NY. AG Composites makes the stock that's used on the Open Country/Open Range models and they currently only make an 84M stock.