Choate Stocks - Pros/Cons

[pinetree64]

I'm looking at a 223 rifle, probably a Savage. Many of the 223's by Savage come with a Choate stock. What's good and bad about these stocks? I hear standard Savage stocks are horrible.

Thanks,
tjg

 

[Quack]

just got a 10FP last weekend. the stock is flimsy. already looking to get a new stock but don't know which one yet.
went to a gunshow today and a dealer had a 10FP-LE with a Choate varmint stock on it and it was alot stiffer and had a better feel to it. i almost picked that one up too, but would want it in .223 because i just got the .308

eventhough i got my trigger down to 1Lb 10oz, the Accutrigger felt alot smoother.

also added the oversized bolt handle which i got from Brownell's

 

[LevelHead]

Savage tactical stocks suck.

Choate Stocks suck less.

Now that I've owned a McMillan I'll never go back (for a tactical rifle), but paying more the the stock than the gun is a personal decision.

 

[Quack]

i almost picked it up, but then thought "do i really want this or should a buy the stock i want?" i was looking at a SSS stock, but really want to get a Mc Millan. i sold my HK USP9F and hi-caps today, that should just about cover the price for the McMillan

 

[Badger Arms]

The Savage stocks are all Dual Pillar Bedded now, IIRC. They are good enough. Definitely not up to McMillian standards though.

 

[enichols]

Re: Choate Stocks

I have a Choate Ultimate Sniper Stock on my Savage 110. Here are my opinions on it. YMMV, of course:

Pros:
1) Feels a lot sturdier than the standard Savage stock. I find it much more comfortable.
2) Adjustable spacers and cheek pieces.
3) Looks damn cool.

Cons:
1) That silly "The Ultimate Sniper" logo on the left side of the stock looks, well, silly. This could be remedied, but it's no less annoying.
2) This is only a possible con, as it doesn't really bother me, but the stock IS rather heavy and will add a bit to the weight of your gun.

No, it's not a McMillan. It won't cost you an arm and a leg, either. It's a very nice, functional stock that should serve you well, and it makes an excellent replacement for the standard factory Savage stock.

Hope this helps you.
-Nic

 

[St. Gunner]

1) That silly "The Ultimate Sniper" logo on the left side of the stock looks, well, silly. This could be remedied, but it's no less annoying.

ha, I had one on a rem700 varmit in .308 and felt the same way.

I really liked it and shot better with it from prone than I did with the gun in the old stock from the bench. It is well thought out and laid and just about the perfect rifle for the prone shot in my opinion. The main problem I had with it is that from that grip position I felt I was slower on my bolt throw than normal and never got over that feeling. I loved the knob on the rear of the stock to adjust height, with your left fist balled under it slightly tightening or loosening your fist will raise and lower the gun. It is heavy but with 168gr sierras and a case of varget powder I could shoot 200rds in an afternoon and never feel like the recoil was bothering me at all. The adjustable cheek pieces and really good. For the price they are asking I think it is one of the better stocks out there in that range.

 

[enichols]

It is heavy but with 168gr sierras and a case of varget powder I could shoot 200rds in an afternoon and never feel like the recoil was bothering me at all.

Agreed, 100%. My Savage is a .30-06, and as you said, the recoil never bothers me even after an entire day of shooting. I think the weight of the stock and that big, thick recoil pad are the reason. And yeah, it's awesome for prone shooting.

All in all, it's a really nice stock and I'm more than pleased with it. I'd wouldn't hesitate to buy another one, had I another gun that needed a new stock. For the money, it's a tough one to beat IMO.
-Nic

 

[Onslaught]

Kurts Kustom Firearms sells a sweet looking stock for the Savage rifle. I don't know how the price compares with McMillian though.

To me, they look like a combination of the McMillian and Choate "Ultimate Sniper" stock combined.

I have absolutely NO experience with them, I just wanted to point them out, since not much exists for the Savage when compared with the Remington 700.

KKF's website is down right now, but the URL is www.kurtskustomfirearms.citymax.com/ if you want to check them out later.

 

[enichols]

I just visited Kurt's website. That really is a pretty sweet looking stock. Here's a direct URL to the stock:
Kurt's Savage Stock
Costs somewhat more than a Choate, and less than McMillan.