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Help with F-T/R stock

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I am in the process of building a dedicated F-T/R rifle and it is time to get a stock. I really don't know a whole lot of F-T/R specific gear. I have shot some F-Class in the past about ten years ago with some success, but I was using a PRS rifle on an Atlas bipod with a rear squeeze bag.

I have a barreled action, trigger, and optic already. My action is a long-action single-shot Rem clone, a heavy Palma 30" barrel, and a Vortex Golden Eagle. I've been reading that the McMillan XIT is one of the best stocks for F-T/R. Are there other alternatives I am missing?

Will it be difficult making weight with the XIT? I don't see weight listed anywhere on the McMillan site. I understand there are two fills, carbon fiber and fiberglass. I have concerns with carbon fiber holding up long-term. Is that unfounded? Is there a certain fill being used by F-T/R guys?

I will need a bipod attachment method. Is an Anshutz rail the most common method? Is there any kind of spigot mount available for the XIT stock like an Accuracy International or KRG chassis system? That would seem like a way to make it more stable from my experience. The XIT does appear it would have a high center of gravity the way it is designed.

Finally, how beneficial will the two or three-way buttpads be for F-T/R? I didn't see weight listed, but will it add significant weight to the system?

The other questions I have I can get from McMillan when I do call to order, but I was wondering if the stock included escutcheons and if there was a specific trigger guard needed.

Thanks for any advice on this decision.
 
You should be able to make weight with the XIT and a steel action - I've done it with several Savage PTA, and those are pretty solid lumps o' steel. The long action is a variable that I never had to deal with - frankly, I wouldn't choose a LA for FTR, period. There's no benefit, in my opinion. You will want to look into some lighter weight components like aluminum trigger guard (easy to find for Remington actions) and scope rail (Nightforce makes a good one). Aluminum rings too.

I went with an inset Anschutz fore-end rail, and most of the better quality bipods come with a rail adapter that will fit that (or one is available). If McMillan puts the rail in, it will be inset with a key-hole opening that is intended for a hand stop; it may not be long enough to let your rail adapter slide in. Two options: have your gunsmith add the Anschutz rail later, and have it run out to the end of the fore-end (which admittedly does create a potential weak spot in the fiberglass shell), or let McMillan do it, and then have your gunsmith mill the key-hole opening a little longer so your rail adapter can fit more easily.

The only time the height of the McM XIT becomes an issue may be if you have a Phoenix bipod. The way the head (used to) attaches tends to add an inch or two to the gun height. If you have a thick chest, or perhaps have fused discs in your neck, you may not use a low enough position to where it's an issue. Otherwise, if you're skinny and/or like getting low to the ground... you run the risk of bottoming out the adjustment and having the mariner's wheel contact the ground - and match officials tend to get dickish about that (despite it being more of a hindrance than any kind of competitive advantage). Bryan Blake (https://fclassproducts.com/) sells a lowering kit, and skeletonized arms to reduce the weight). Or you can get in line for a JoyPod-X.

I'd always gone with the 3-way adjustable butt plate; that said, it's built way heavier than it needs to be (at least the last couple I had were). You can have a gunsmith (or someone with a drill press) skeletonize the body some, and you can cut the adjustment tube short, or replace it with aluminum tube (vs. steel). I'm not a fan of how McMillan installs the Hart RAD2A setup; if you're going that route I'd buy the stock and the buttplate separate and have your gunsmith install it. You'll need to shorten the rear cheekpiece post to make room for the RAD 2A assembly; those are solid steel as well (another place to shave some weight). Some people find they shoot better without the cheekpiece at all.

Finally... you should be good with the Heavy Palma contour; my first gun with an XIT stock I'd gone with a Heavy Varmint and had it cut @ 28" thinking that would keep me 'safe'. Nope. Had to do pretty much every single mod described above to make weight, and finding an aluminum trigger guard for a Savage is *not* easy. Still squeaked under the weight limit @ 8.15 kg, leaving me just enough room for a) rain shield and b) scale error when traveling. With the heavy Palma, you may not be quite as tight up against the weight restriction as I was... but if you have to have the barrel trimmed back to 28" it's not the end of the world either.
 
@memilanuk nailed it.

XiT is a heavy stock no matter how you get it configured. I ran numbers for every component at one point, and ended up going another route. You'll need a heavy Palma barrel.
 
B Nettesheim said:
X-Ring Cerus McMillan
Click to expand...

For any of these, be prepared to wait. I'd gotten 'spoiled'... my last XIT was from 5+ years ago, when I was still shooting on teams sponsored by McMillan, and before everything got "supply chained"... they got delivered in a timely fashion. Anything you custom order now... will probably be for next year's gun.
 
Jdne5b said:
Yet it's still not found on McMillans website 4 years later.
Click to expand...
Did you give them a call? I have seen other stocks that were available but not on their web site. I personally own one of the stocks that is shown in the article (Kestros BR) and videos within it. They have invested in a mold, so I am pretty sure that they will make one to order if you ask.
 
Thank you everyone for the replies. I went with the long action because I have plans for using it possibly for open in the future at some point, I figured I would have the option to short stroke it and bypass the ejector if I wanted or run it hard and engage the ejector, and it came second hand setup for a good price.

I did go with a lightweight aluminum rail and Nightforce Ultralite Titanium rings.

I have not decided on a bipod yet but the Joypod sounds like the best line to get in.

The action did come with a heavy PALMA barrel and I figured that's what I would replace it with. It has some life left in it, but I'm already going to order another couple blanks.

At the moment, I planned to do my own bedding to the stock whatever I decide. McMillan told me about 4 months for a stock from them. I'm hoping to be able to shoot this rig by fall or early next spring. I've got a new baby coming right now, so it'll come in phases.
 
Good read.ive bookmarked several replies.im in same boat but not as far along as OP.probably buy a custom action but something sub $1k if possible .I'm not sure yet but trying to do plenty of research first.might swing a bat , Borden ,etc .if I'm lucky
 
This is nothing more than a after-thought , after reading this thread . If you do run into weight issues after you get your rifle built , you may want to take a look at the GRS HYBRID stock for F-TR . They are Laminate , White Birch . Colors available . Made in Norway , and outstanding craftsmanship . They are also nearly a pound and a half lighter than my Kelby K-TR Stock I replaced with the GRS . Love my GRS . Fits like a glove , and was well worth the wait during the pandemic .
 
D-4297 said:
This is nothing more than a after-thought , after reading this thread . If you do run into weight issues after you get your rifle built , you may want to take a look at the GRS HYBRID stock for F-TR . They are Laminate , White Birch . Colors available . Made in Norway , and outstanding craftsmanship . They are also nearly a pound and a half lighter than my Kelby K-TR Stock I replaced with the GRS . Love my GRS . Fits like a glove , and was well worth the wait during the pandemic .
Click to expand...
What's it weigh?
 
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