Fortunately I was one of a few shooters selected by Kelly McMillan to field test his latest fiberglass riflestock, the M40A1-3. This design differs from the earlier M40A1 stock in two significant ways; the comb has been raised about a quarter of an inch, and the forend is very similar to that of the A3 stock, wider & flatter than the M40A1. There are also finger-grooves molded into the forend. I asked that mine be supplied with a 14" LOP, the same as I generally have my adjustable LOP target stock, and that this stock be equipped with a forend rail so I could use a handstop while shooting with a sling.
Here's a couple of photos I snapped of the stock when it first arrived at my place:
I really like the higher comb. Without any effort, I got a great cheek weld. The flatter forend is very stable on sandbags or from a backpack. My barreled action,a Rem 700 VS with a varmint contour Krieger barrel) settled snugly into the stock, and the barrel was free-floating all the way back to the fat part of the barrel, adjacent to the action. From the reports of other testers, it would have likely shot just fine without being bedded.
Right now the rifle is at Rick Freudenberg's shop in Everett Washington for one of his superb bedding jobs. More reports on performance of the stock on the range and in the field after I get my rifle back! At this point, I'd recommend the stock to anyone building a varmint rifle or an accurate, heavy-duty hunting rifle.
Regards, Guy
Here's a couple of photos I snapped of the stock when it first arrived at my place:
I really like the higher comb. Without any effort, I got a great cheek weld. The flatter forend is very stable on sandbags or from a backpack. My barreled action,a Rem 700 VS with a varmint contour Krieger barrel) settled snugly into the stock, and the barrel was free-floating all the way back to the fat part of the barrel, adjacent to the action. From the reports of other testers, it would have likely shot just fine without being bedded.
Right now the rifle is at Rick Freudenberg's shop in Everett Washington for one of his superb bedding jobs. More reports on performance of the stock on the range and in the field after I get my rifle back! At this point, I'd recommend the stock to anyone building a varmint rifle or an accurate, heavy-duty hunting rifle.
Regards, Guy
