Stock choices for newbie

[WindSurgeon]

OP, one thing I am wondering is what type of material is best for an F class stock…wood, composite or metal? Maybe some folks can chime in.

I am looking at the eliseo f1 chassis or one of the cerus stocks.

Those two are a bit like apples and oranges. While neither can be called "traditional", the cerus is probably closer to the usual.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Dont discount the mcmillan for not being stiff enough- thats the point a lot of people have forgotten.

 

[drop_point]

Stick with well known products. McMillan, Cerus, PRT, MasterClass (Alex Sitman), and Doan Trevor. There's an endless number of makers out there, but these make up a lot of what is seen at competitions on winning rigs. I am a fan of composite stocks and McMillan makes the stiffest of the composites currently made for the sport. I have not used a Kestros stock, but have heard that it is better then their prior F class model which was stiff as a noodle. Cerus uses laminate wood mainly, but also has some crazy looking epoxy filled wood stocks (think "river table"). I am suspect of the long term stability of the construct of these epoxy filled stocks. Delamination can occur between the epoxy and the wood because the wood will expand and contract while the epoxy does not. They are cool looking though. PRT is a tried and true design stock that is wood laminate. Great stock that I have owned and shot competitively. Alex Sitman and Doan Trevor are great stock makers and true craftsman. I recently received a new rifle build by Doan that is shooting great and showing great promise for next season. That one is built on a vintage composite stock that needed restoration.

I looked at the Kestros. I saw some reviews of it on youtube and they praised it, but I noticed the reviewer gave his up for a wood stock later on. I'm usually a fan of easy and low-maintenance though, so fiberglass is very appealing.

 

[Sandstorm]

Place your order soon as lead times are 6 months for X-Ring ( Thats pretty good ) McMillan a bit longer and will probly be going out as we move into next year and more materials issues. ( Everything is back ordered these days and not getting better any time soon )

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Place your order soon as lead times are 6 months for X-Ring ( Thats pretty good ) McMillan a bit longer and will probly be going out as we move into next year and more materials issues. ( Everything is back ordered these days and not getting better any time soon )

Is there any info available on the different stock styles that X-Ring makes besides just the pictures of them on their Gallery on the site?

 

[drop_point]

Place your order soon as lead times are 6 months for X-Ring ( Thats pretty good ) McMillan a bit longer and will probly be going out as we move into next year and more materials issues. ( Everything is back ordered these days and not getting better any time soon )

I'm kind of leaning toward the McMillan, so you're right, I may not have a gun to shoot until next season. On the Kestros stocks, is the ZR worth the money? I assume it tracks better?

I'm usually a "buy once" kind of guy, but looks like a top of the line ZR is around $1500 with everything. If its no real advantage the R looks to save a few hundred.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Tylerw02 Everyone has give good advice to help you .
One thinking to keep in mind " You can not Spend or Buy your way to the Top".

For my First Rifle I would not pick one I had to Fire Form Brass ?

The Best of Luck,
See You on the Range

 

[drop_point]

Tylerw02 Everyone has give good advice to help you .
One thinking to keep in mind " You can not Spend or Buy your way to the Top".

For my First Rifle I would not pick one I had to Fire Form Brass ?

The Best of Luck,
See You on the Range

You're absolutely right, cannot spend to the top! I worry about outgrowing things though, buying twice always costs more I'd like to have something I can use a long, long time.

Fireforming, no big deal. I've been doing that for years! Started fireforming in 2004 with .17 AH and have since done several improved cartridges!

 

[Sandstorm]

The standard Kestros tracks fine...Its what I use and some like the z-rails better.
It makes for a longer and more flexible stock in my opinion. Your joystick for the front rest
will need to be longer. So some things to consider with that option.
You can always add the z-rails later as some have done...Its a bit of machine work but no big deal.
Save some money and spend it on bullets....you will need seat time.

 

[big eddie]

I had posted before asking for advice on chambering for a new F-open build. I believe I have that settled. When I shot F-class before I was using a "tactical" rifle that was far from ideal, but I made it work. Now that I'm getting into a more dedicated rig, I'm soliciting advice on selecting a stock. I figure the stock will take the longest to receive (maybe I should order it ahead of the action?). I have mostly known McMillan and Manners field stocks. It seems there is no Manners F-class stocks. Do the McMillan F-class stocks rate? Or should I be looking elsewhere? What models do others' that are successful use?

I use a AICS stock .

 

[Sandstorm]

@McGraw
You tube is your friend for the X-Ring Stock info im thinking.
I do not own one or have any hands on with one...so your on your own here Sir.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

@McGraw
You tube is your friend for the X-Ring Stock info im thinking.
I do not own one or have any hands on with one...so your on your own here Sir.

Ok thanks, I will give it a search!
They are beautiful stocks for sure and look to be of great quality.

 

[Willow]

I'm kind of leaning toward the McMillan, so you're right, I may not have a gun to shoot until next season. On the Kestros stocks, is the ZR worth the money? I assume it tracks better?

I'm usually a "buy once" kind of guy, but looks like a top of the line ZR is around $1500 with everything. If its no real advantage the R looks to save a few hundred.

Tracking on the ZR is excellent - I haven't experienced better yet - we'll see how my Cerus XR compares later in the year when it's up and running. What I can say is the extra length of the Kestros ZR, combined with the rails and lower centre of gravity really make the Kestros track exceptionally well. My 300wsm tracks very nicely in this stock.

 

[urbanrifleman]

REM 700 SA Revolution 3" Benchrest w/ Aluminum Bedding Block (HIGH GLOSS)

PRE ORDER!! Laminated benchrest rifle stock with 3 inch forend and alumium bedding block for f class and benchrest stooting

theurbanriflemanstore.com

I have several colors in stock.

Next batch will arrive in February.

 

[Bc'z]

Is there any info available on the different stock styles that X-Ring makes besides just the pictures of them on their Gallery on the site?

Give Jason a call and discuss with him what your looking for, I know he is receptive to a ndividuals design tweaks.
Tell him I said hi.

 

[Nodak7mm]

Best advice is to go to a “league” match, strike up conversations with shooters and tell em your stock shopping and 90% will throw you behind the trigger to see if you like theirs. We love to show off our toys.. that’s the best advice I can provide, different strokes for different folks…