Manners MCS-EH8 VS McMillan Hunters Edge for Rem M7

[Chuck R.]

My quest for the perfect (for me) whitetail rifle has begun. rifle will be used primarily in stands, and occasionally for pushing draws. Max, and I mean max range will be 300yds, and that's an exception. Most of my shots have been well under 200.

After searching for a used M7 beater for a base, I've decided screw it and am using my current Rem M7 in .260. Initially I planned on going with a .260 AI and 22" barrel. Now I'm sticking with the .260 Rem and the 20" length to maintain the compact size. IMHO the 20" just won't justify the "AI-ing". Barreled action is on it's way to Pac Nor tomorrow with an expected turn sometime in June. It will get a 20" 3groove fluted barrel to increase the stiffness, but trying to maintain the factory M7 weight. It's already got a Timney Calvin elite trigger and currently wears an HS precision stock. It wears a Leupold VXIII 2.5-8x36 in LW Talley rings.

The next question is the stock. I'll keep the HS because sooner or later I'll find another M7 to drop in it. I'd like to keep this rifle as lightweight as possible, so that's where the Manners or McMillan come in. Bpth are approx 24 ounces.

Anybody have experience with one or both?

 

[taliv]

If you have the time to wait, I'd take a manners over the mcmillan any day. Just a generally better product. Usually much stiffer. I haven't used those specific models though.

if you want more lightweight, look at bartlein's new carbon fiber barrels

 

[Chuck R.]

If you have the time to wait, I'd take a manners over the mcmillan any day. Just a generally better product. Usually much stiffer. I haven't used those specific models though.

if you want more lightweight, look at bartlein's new carbon fiber barrels

Good to hear. manners is "down the road" in KC, so I'll try to pay them a visit before ordering. I've got plenty of time as long as it's all together around Sept. IOT start load development. Trying to keep the weight to 7lbs "all up", so the regular steel will suffice as it's what the M7 in the HS precision weighs now.

THANKS!

 

[Chuck R.]

Quick follow up.

Shot the folks at Manners a quick email reference what I was looking for. Got a very nice reply back in an hr. inviting me down and offering a .mil discount. I really like their "no deposit when ordering required" due to the 5-6 month wait. So I'm going to head over next week and take a look at the stock and their finish options. Should be able to get it on order next week, then the barreled action and stock should link up this summer, plenty of time to get it bedded and do load development for this season.

We've got a guy in our office that has 5 of their stocks and a couple McMillon's so that bolstered taliv's positive reference.

 

[Walkalong]

the 5-6 month wait

Ordered one last Oct.........so soon.

 

[Nature Boy]

I have both Manners and McMillian stocks. I think the edge goes to Manners as well, but you're paying more for it.

 

[taliv]

you wait more for it too lol

it used to be the case, that macmillan was just a monolithic piece of fiberglass, while manners was a shell that was then filled. that gave them an advantage on stiffness and strength, especially when it came to making the lightweight stuff. maybe they're more apples apples now, but construction used to be pretty different. and their molded in paint is different too

 

[jmr40]

McMillan uses a shell with foam fill just like all of the other high end stocks. I've never had a Manners, but have had Several McMillan's, Brown Precision, High Tech Specialties, and a Garrett Acculite I know Garrett is out of business, and I think High Tech Specialties is too. They all use the same construction methods.

It is Bell and Carlson and HS Precision that basically use a mixture of chopped fiberglass and molten plastic poured into a mold for their construction. All of the others use layers of either fiberglass or kevlar laminated just like a block of plywood for the stock between the grip and up to the recoil lug mortise. They are machined to match the action just as you would a wood stock. The butt area and fore end are hollow with the fiberglass or kevlar shell with the hollow area filled with expanding foam.

McMillan offers more options and they generally can be taken out of the box, bolted on and used as is. Some like to glass bed the action. I've done it, and left them as they came out of the box and couldn't tell any difference. Most, if not all of the others will require some final fitting and finishing by someone who knows what they are doing.

When you start factoring in gunsmithing costs McMillan will cost less. I've owned 4-5 of them over the years, but only ordered one. It generally takes 3-6 months depending on how busy they are. The others I picked up used in the classified sections of various gun/hunting related forums. All of mine are the Edge versions made with kevlar instead of fiberglass. The Edge stocks were about $600 last time I looked, but $475 is the most I paid for any of mine. Most closer to $400.

Kevlar is lighter, and stiffer, but they don't recommend it for anything with recoil greater than 300 WM. It is also about $90-$100 more, but generally about 1/2 lb lighter than fiberglass and they come from the factory with pillars. That is worth the $90 to me.

 

[Chuck R.]

Quick update: Met with a rep (Jim) from Manners this AM, very, very, nice guy. Got to try several stocks and viewed some finishes. We talked total weight expectations etc. They've got a pretty remarkable process to strengthen stress areas while maintaining the lighter fill for the non-stressed areas.

Now going with an EC Stock, which will weigh in at 17-18 ounces VS 24-26 for the MCS-EH8, same cost. This frees up a few ounces that I'll translate into increased barrel profile. I've got to admit I caught myself daydreaming about other rifles that I could lighten up.

 

[Walkalong]

Met with a rep (Jim) from Manners this AM, very, very, nice guy

He is who I spoke with on the phone when asking questions/ordering my stock, very nice, very helpful, very patient.

 

[Nature Boy]

Quick update: Met with a rep (Jim) from Manners this AM, very, very, nice guy. Got to try several stocks and viewed some finishes. We talked total weight expectations etc. They've got a pretty remarkable process to strengthen stress areas while maintaining the lighter fill for the non-stressed areas.

Now going with an EC Stock, which will weigh in at 17-18 ounces VS 24-26 for the MCS-EH8, same cost. This frees up a few ounces that I'll translate into increased barrel profile. I've got to admit I caught myself daydreaming about other rifles that I could lighten up.

What did they tell you on lead times?

 

[Chuck R.]

What did they tell you on lead times?

5-6 Months.

 

[Nature Boy]

5-6 Months.

That's much improved

 

[Chuck R.]

That's much improved

When I stopped by on Friday, the place was humming. Maybe they hired more folks, or the economy stifled some orders.

 

[Walkalong]

Hoping to see it in March or April.

 

[Chuck R.]

Guys,

Quick update for those tracking wait times on Manners. Got the Email today that the stock is done and shipping:

Ordered 23MAR
Completed 29SEP

Right around 6 months as promised.

Now if I could just get the barreled action back....the smith has promised a 2-3 week time for bedding. I might still make our rifle season, if not it still should make late does in JAN.