McMillan fiberglass stocks.
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George Dickel
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I've owned 3 rifles with McMillan stocks and had no problems with them. When I was shooting rimfire benchrest McMillan was one of the most used stocks on custom and factory rifles. My current silhouette rifle has a McMillan stock. I've not heard any negative about their products so I don't think you will have any complaints.
sage5907
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I have one of their pre 64 Model 70 Winchester stocks and it has been everything that I expected it to be. The quality and workmanship are excellent and I especially like the marble camo pattern. My stock is 50% OD green, 25% dark brown, and 25% woodland tan. It is a lightweight stock that can be used in bad weather when I don't want to expose a good wood stock to the elements. The only adjustment I had to do when I installed the stock was that I glass bedded the chamber area. I used a thick piece of target paper at the front of the barrel channel to center the barrel while the glass was setting up. One feature that I had McMillan install was flush mount sling swivel bases and they are great. They allow the swivels to turn in the base and this stops all the worry about damage to the area where the swivels mount during heavy use.
There are other brands such as Brown Precision, MPI, Manners, High Tech Specialties and possibly others that use basically the same construction techniques and are every bit as good. But McMillan offers by far the biggest selection of styles and patterns to fit more rifle brands. More color and style options as well.
The Bell & Carlson and HS-Precision use a different, much cheaper construction method. While they can be decent stocks if they incorporate an aluminum chassis inside the fiberglass, it is the metal inserts that make them heavy and chunky feeling. B&C makes some without the metal inserts that are quite weak and easily broken.
Most of the others really need to have the rifle sent to the manufacturer or have a competent gunsmith do the final fitting. McMillan's will almost always bolt up right out of the box or maybe with some minor DIY trimming. Some glass bed the actions, but it probably isn't necessary. I've done it both ways and never noted any difference in accuracy.
It may be too late if you've placed the order but I'd highly recommend the Edge version over the standard fiberglass stock unless it is going on a magnum rifle. The Edge stocks are made from kevlar instead of fiberglass and typically run about 1/2 lb lighter. The kevlar is actually stiffer and tougher than fiberglass. The Edge stocks also come from the factory with pillars already installed. They run about $90-$100 more, but combined with lighter weight, stiffer material and pre installed pillars are well worth the extra costs.
There is about a 4 month wait, if the order has recently been placed it isn't too late to call and change.
The Bell & Carlson and HS-Precision use a different, much cheaper construction method. While they can be decent stocks if they incorporate an aluminum chassis inside the fiberglass, it is the metal inserts that make them heavy and chunky feeling. B&C makes some without the metal inserts that are quite weak and easily broken.
Most of the others really need to have the rifle sent to the manufacturer or have a competent gunsmith do the final fitting. McMillan's will almost always bolt up right out of the box or maybe with some minor DIY trimming. Some glass bed the actions, but it probably isn't necessary. I've done it both ways and never noted any difference in accuracy.
It may be too late if you've placed the order but I'd highly recommend the Edge version over the standard fiberglass stock unless it is going on a magnum rifle. The Edge stocks are made from kevlar instead of fiberglass and typically run about 1/2 lb lighter. The kevlar is actually stiffer and tougher than fiberglass. The Edge stocks also come from the factory with pillars already installed. They run about $90-$100 more, but combined with lighter weight, stiffer material and pre installed pillars are well worth the extra costs.
There is about a 4 month wait, if the order has recently been placed it isn't too late to call and change.
sage5907
Member
Yes the fiberglass stock that I have is smooth and yes it is shiney. The checkering is excellent so I don't notice the smoothness. The paint of the marble finish that I have is a matt color but the smoothness of the stock causes it to look shiney. In my case the colors are molded into the fiberglass so they don't come off if the stock is scuffed or scratched. I think some of their stocks are just painted and they my have a less shiney finish as if you would take a can of matt paint and paint the surface of some object. If I had it to do over I would still buy the fiberglass stock because the difference in weight is not important to me and I like the design of my stock. My featherweight Model 70 in 30-06 weighs 8 pounds 4 ounces with a 13 ounce scope and leather sling, and that is just about right for a 30-06 rifle shooting full power hunting loads, even when carrying it in the mountains. It feels light and handles really well. The flush mount swivels that I mentioned earlier are worth their weight in gold.
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Varminterror
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McMillans are the ruler by which all others are measured. A few others are built the same, and just as good - often for a a lower cost - but I've yet to see a better stock.
Nature Boy
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I've been very happy with my McMillan A4. Top notch company
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