Remington 700 - should the factory synthetic stock be replaced?

[Benelli Shooter]

I have a 700 ADL with the factory plastic stock. From a practical standpoint, would I be better off with a quality synthetic stock such as an HS Precision or Bell and Carlson?

Would it make the gun more accurate or have any other practical benefit?

 

[publiuss]

probably a huge waste of money. Have you shot it, had it glass bedded?

 

[rantingredneck]

I had good results floating the barrel on my .243 ADL. Sanded down the barrel channel in the factory synthetic. Shrunk groups to MOA or slightly better. I was doing 2-3 inch groups before floating.

 

[Regolith]

It would probably become more accurate, as the Bell and Carson stocks are pillar bedded and free-floated, while the factory plastic stocks aren't (and can't be made that way without a lot of work).

The question is the possible extra 1-1.5 MOA accuracy gain worth the extra $100-$300 for the new stock? That's going to have to be your call, as everyone's definition of value is different.

probably a huge waste of money. Have you shot it, had it glass bedded?

You can't glass bed the plastic factory stocks. You can work on them so that the barrel is nominally free-floated, but enough pressure on the stock can change that, as they aren't very stiff.

 

[TexAg]

I was curious about this as well since I got an '06 last year on sale. It has a 22" barrel and I have wondered how much a new stock might help it, but I haven't shot it yet, just got a scope so we'll see how it shoots stock first. I only paid $325 for it so I could end up putting twice that amount in the gun with scope and stock!

 

[Benelli Shooter]

What do you guys think of the Bell and Carlson Medalist stocks?

 

[Darthbauer]

Go balls out and get an A.I.C.S.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Any stock with aluminum pillars or bed will add rigidity to seating the reciever.

Free floating the barrel will be the most you can do, other than finding which ammo the rifle wants to shoot best.

My view, certain stocks feel better than others. Certain stocks shoot better than others.

 

[ojibweindian]

How does your rifle perform now? If it's less than MOA, don't worry. If the thing throws shotgun-like groups, then a replacement stock might help.

 

[jmr40]

If you want something that looks better, is lighter, heavier of just fits you better then consider a different stock. If you are looking to improve accuracy I doubt you will see a significant difference in a hunting rifle. As others have said try free floating the barrel or glass bedding your stock. If it still does not shoot well you have other problems that a different stock will not help.

If you are trying to put together a long range target rifle it may be worth the added expense. A better stock may shave a fraction of an inch off your group size if everything else is right. That may mean the difference between 1st and 2nd place in competition but would not mean the difference between hitting or missing a deer while hunting.

 

[moooose102]

The real problem with our planet is that so many try to make stupidity painless; it should hurt.

AMEN TO THAT!!!!!