choosing a stock for f class

[greyspider56]

I'm seriously thinking about having a f class open rifle built. Looking at different stocks and there seems to be a few that have aluminum runners that slide on the front rest. Is there really a noticeable advantage to having them? I heard a guy at one range say he had them and then hack sawed them off because he didn't like them. Anyone have have similar experiences?

Thanks

Mike
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[Liven The Dream]

No on cutting anything off .
Stocks and Build a Rifle !
Cigar Cop and Alex Wheeler on this site a good place to start .

 

[F Class John]

Start with this thread that is about a month old, it should answer and help you with most of your questions. https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/best-f-class-stock.4083402/

 

[Ponderosa Arms]

I have a few different stocks.
AS & McMillian Kestros ZR - both are nice but are on the long side. Need to break position if I have to make any large adjustments on my rest (NEO & Mini-X)
Masterclass & McMillian Kestros - both are real nice and comfortable for me to shoot.
Cerus with front rail - my favorite stock. Very comfortable and balanced.

 

[LVLAaron]

I'm seriously thinking about having a f class open rifle built. Looking at different stocks and there seems to be a few that have aluminum runners that slide on the front rest. Is there really a noticeable advantage to having them? I heard a guy at one range say he had them and then hack sawed them off because he didn't like them. Anyone have have similar experiences?

Thanks

Mike
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Woulda been a lot easier to just unbolt them.

 

[Dos XX]

Woulda been a lot easier to just unbolt them.

But not nearly as dramatic.

 

[greyspider56]

thanks for the replies

 

[Dkk37058]

Can’t say much about other ones because I don’t own them but I have 2 Kestros stocks and like them

 

[6MMsteve]

Whatever Eric Cortina is using is the way I would go, He is winning,

 

[D-4297]

Take a look at the GRS HYBRID . It is a white birch laminated stock , made in Norway . Beautiful workmanship , and well made . Then Send it to Alex Sitman .

 

[JLT]

The side rails do a nice job of lowering the center of mass, bringing it closer to the bore line. I have a stock with aluminum side rails and it does track better than my other stocks that ride higher. That's the 'pro'. As mentioned above, the 'con' is the increase in overall length that does require one to break position for a front rest adjustment.

Took close look at a Dima stock at a match a bit more than a week ago. Very impressive stock, and the fellow driving the rifle had nothing but good things to say about it. Somewhat similar to the Kestros in length and profile, with a flat fore end bottom and rides nice and low without the side rails. Nice woodwork and very attractive.

The maker is located in Ukraine, so you would think that availability would be irregular, but he said his stock was delivered in six weeks. If that were to double, that would still be many weeks shorter than the wait times for a popular design from other premium stock makers.

Might be worth a look. Here's a link to the website page for F-Open stocks.

 

[Willow]

I only use F-Open stocks with front rails on them (McMillan Kestros ZR x 2, AS x 2 and Cerus XR). Haven't used the AS stocks yet as they're still being inletted but the Cerus XR is the best tracking stock I've ever used, the balance, centre of gravity, tracking...it's as close to perfect as I've ever seen/used. Only problem is availability, so be prepared to wait.

 

[CharlieNC]

You can spend as much as you want, only to find the stock doesn't fit your body or shooting style! Then what to do? Sell it for a loss and restart the search and try process? After trying four different stocks on my Ftr rifle I purchased a Richards Microfit with extra wood to do the final shaping , mixed with shooting sessions, to obtain my "perfect" fit. And the walnut with many, many coats of oil rubbed finish is a beauty. Of course this is not a viable approach for everyone.

 

[Bob3700]

Check out Landolt’s Custom Stocks. He is a real craftsman and makes some outstanding laminated wood stocks.

 

[One Eye Pete]

I have both a McMillan Kestros ZR with the rails and a plain vanilla Kestros. I'm shooting a 7mm Shehane and the ZR seems to control the torque better with it's lowered center of gravity. The disadvantage of the ZR is the length. I shoot a Rodzilla T-Rex rest and the joystick and coarse elevation adjustment are long enough to reach comfortably from the prone position. I did add a separate extended rod for the coarse elevation lock. Not all rests may work well with the long stock.
I converted the plain vanilla Kestros to a 6mm. the reduced recoil and torque from a 6mm is no problem for it and it tracks well.
You certainly could use the regular Kestros for a high powered 7mm or 30 cal but I feel that the ZR with the front rails does a better job.
Just my opinion.

 

[Rat Rifle]

You can spend as much as you want, only to find the stock doesn't fit your body or shooting style! Then what to do? Sell it for a loss and restart the search and try process? After trying four different stocks on my Ftr rifle I purchased a Richards Microfit with extra wood to do the final shaping , mixed with shooting sessions, to obtain my "perfect" fit. And the walnut with many, many coats of oil rubbed finish is a beauty. Of course this is not a viable approach for everyone.

Now Your on to it !

 

[Fuj]

Cerus is another option. Fine work.....

 

[dcali]

If you mean like these ones, the idea is that the closer you get the bore to the bag, the less side load you get when the rifle torques. It's a pretty small effect because most stocks are already pretty low. It's just a hair of difference that helps with tracking.

Kestros ZR - McMillan Stocks

The Kestros ZR features an extended rail system which extends the forend of the stock and provides the all the benefits of the rails on the Kestros R stock while also lowering the center of gravity. It features the same low profile 3” wide forend as the Kestros and the bottom of the buttstock is...

mcmillanusa.com

If you mean like these, they don't do much. I've found aluminum tracks a bit better because it's a little more slippery on a bag than the plastic of the stock, but it's not a big difference.

Kestros R - McMillan Stocks

The Kestros R features embedded aluminum rails in the forend which allow for better tracking in the front rest and prevent rocking which generally accompanies a flat forend when the torque causes the bag in the front rest to round out. It features the same low profile 3” wide forend as the...

mcmillanusa.com

 

[abishai]

Everybody should have at least 1 Tooley MBR......

 

[greyspider56]

thank you to all that took the time to reply

Mike