Which chassis?

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andym79

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Hi guys I have a Howa 1500 and am looking to give it a new home.

I am looking at the MDT LSS and Oryx as wellas the KRG Bravo.

The Krg looks the best in my opinion.

Which chassis is the best value for money and what are the pros and cons of each?
 
Don't have a Howa yet, but I bought an MDT chassis (LSS XL2, which I think is the same series as the Howa) for one of my CZ 527s (in .300 Blackout) earlier this year and I've been happy with it so far. They are a very responsive company to do business with -- their rep answered all my emailed questions quickly and patiently, and shipped my order fast.

I tried a couple of different buttstock configs before settling on the Magpul fixed. After trying Troy and Magpul grips, I settled for a simple milspec A2 grip. Aftermarket grips with web extensions don't fit on this chassis.

Unlike other MDT chassis, the CZ version uses factory mags. The only criticism I have is very, very minor and also specific to the CZ version: the mag release could do some kind of a guard or fence around it. I need to remember to remove the mag before folding the stock because it contacts the release in the folded position. I should probably remove the mag before folding anyway as a safety step, but I often forget and then end up dropping one of my $40 mags onto the floor.

On the other hand, the MDT chassis make mag changes smoother than the factory CZ stock.

CZ52730001.jpg
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I went with the carbine interface because it appeared to offer a cleaner mount for the SB Tac folding adapter -- this rig fits neatly inside a mandolin case for discrete transport to the range.

CZ527300Bag.jpg
 
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I have a HOWA 1500 in 270 and am very interested in this thread. I am not sure if
I like the butt end of the Oryx but the MDT I like. From what I read the KRG Bravo is not made for the long action of my 270. Any body else out there with helpful comments.
 
Was hoping for some more replies on the chassis.

I guess the oryx and bravo are pretty new.
 
You’re talking about relatively low budget chassis’ and stocks, with specific applications which aren’t so common.

None of them are bad, but none are what I would call “great” among their class of stocks and rifle chassis on the market.

I had the MDT LSS on a Savage Stealth Clone. Nice for a modernized hunting rifle, but didn’t meet my needs for a competition rig. The forend is short, and the half-hex bottom didn’t ride the bag well. The extreme angle on the magwell block ends too far forward, so the rifle didn’t ride very well on barricade bags. The forend is also very short, which is a limitation for running it on a bipod. It also felt very misbalanced with a Magpul PRS or UBR on the back. The balance was improved with a Luth-AR stock, but overall, then the chassis and added stock was too light to really ride recoil the way I wanted for field shooting. Hunting, sure, but not for prone, benchrest, or positional competition style shooting.

The Bravo is basically a plastic stock with an embedded half-chassis. There’s quite a bit of flex in the forend, and you’ll feel the fact the forend panels are bolted on. The forend of the Bravo is also quite short, again, limiting it’s utility on a bipod, unless you buy the extended spigot.

The Oryx is new, I’ve not seen one in person. I think it’s a diversion from many of the other chassis’ out there. At its price point, I have heard it is a good option.

I’ve shot a few Magpul 700’s, absolutely not a stock I want in my life - but you do a lot worse for the money. The magwell and feeding is good, and it doesn’t look terrible, but like most of these, it’s approaching a price point where I’d either go cheaper and bed, block, and free float a Boyd’s Provarmint, or save a little longer and get a bit better stock or chassis. Great deals are out there to be had on a lot of great stocks and chassis’, so I’d be waiting and watching, if I were in your shoes.
 
Now I don’t have a bravo, or a howa. I do however have a 704 action clone and a whiskey 3 folder. The quality is great, and the service is even better. Service can really win me over for a company. The main caveat is price.

But purely for the service, I would feel comfortable going krg
 
Are there any other Howa inletted stocks?

So far all the ones mentioned are included in the Legacy Sports Catalogue. I am sure they are fine, but does anyone else make a "drop in" chassis?

I like the idea of just dropping it in a stock and tightening bolts, but these options seem to have short comings.

They all look cool though.:)
 
The Bravo is basically a plastic stock with an embedded half-chassis. There’s quite a bit of flex in the forend, and you’ll feel the fact the forend panels are bolted on. The forend of the Bravo is also quite short, again, limiting it’s utility on a bipod, unless you buy the extended spigot.

I have a KRG Bravo and Whiskey 3 chassis on my last two custom builds. I don't know how you can say there is "Quite a bit of flex in the forend",when they use the same style of mounting systems. The Bravo is a fantastic chassis setup for those that want a more traditional rifle stock look/feel. It is rock solid,and doesn't flex at all. Since KRG doesn't offer the Bravo in LH configurations,I was lucky in getting them to sell me one with the LH Whiskey 3 backbone,and I just modified the plastic shell for a LH bolt handle.
The Bravo is just as solid as the Whiskey 3 that I have.

MS6gXa2.jpg

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I have a KRG Bravo and Whiskey 3 chassis on my last two custom builds. I don't know how you can say there is "Quite a bit of flex in the forend",when they use the same style of mounting systems.

I wouldn’t (and didn’t) say the Whiskey 3 is an upgrade. For that reason...
 
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