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Can the Factory stock be this bad?

18K views 20 replies 13 participants last post by  HAWKEYE  
#1 · (Edited)
Received my new aac-sd today and while I didn't expect a whole lot from the Hogue stock, I was shocked at how bad it is.

My barrel presses against it from the front of the stock a good 5-6 inches on one side, while it has an enormous gap on the other. Not even in the ballpark. Low expectations aside, is this normal?

I was at least hoping to run it a while while I decided on which stock I wanted to get.

Hopefully it shows up in the attached picture...

 
#3 · (Edited)
I assumed it would be bad, but I was at least hoping I could take her out for a spin before looking for a stock in earnest. I'm pretty much set on a B&C M40 FWIW, so I guess this just moves it up a bit...

Thank you for the welcome. Long time Remington fan however new to the 700 platform...
 
#4 ·
You might try loosening the action screws and then push barrel to the side with the greatest gap while pulling the other way on the forend. The rifle is merely "pilar bedded" in those rubber stocks and you might be able to move it around some. Maybe a little "pocket knife work" at the action end so the action can be moved a little to provide clearance for the barrel. Then re-torque the action screws.

FWIW, you might find an OK replacement at a local Gunsmith as they often have a lot of take-offs from custom builds. Even an wooden stock removed from a 700 would be an improvement to that {expletive} rubber stock.
 
#6 ·
Well I guess it's not really that big of a deal as I was planning on a new stock anyhow.

Which brings up the question, what do you think of the Bell & Carlson M40? At $250 it looks like a hard one to beat. Any other M40 style stocks I should consider? I have no objection to spending a bit more IF I get plenty of value for the cost. I plan on bedding and eventually adding a DBM to whichever stock I choose.
 
#7 ·
I have the M40 on my rifle and like it. Just make sure you get a stock that matches your barrel size. You don't want a small barrel in a stock that has a wide channel made for a varmit style barrel, looks bad. My barrel is .926 at the muzzle so it fills up the channel on my m40 stock
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#9 ·
I have the M40 on my rifle and like it. Just make sure you get a stock that matches your barrel size. You don't want a small barrel in a stock that has a wide channel made for a varmit style barrel, looks bad. My barrel is .926 at the muzzle so it fills up the channel on my m40 stock View attachment 1265 View attachment 1266 .
Every once in a while people run across great stocks that were inletted for heavy barrels but want to use them with sporter profiles. Simple cure for the aesthetics.

Lay up several layers of Vinyl Pipe Tape (the stuff used to wrap pipe where it passes through concrete) on the bottom of the sporter barrel. The number of layers should equal the amount of finished clearance you want between barrel and stock. Tape the edge of the stock (and sides if you're sloppy), cutting the tape in a clean line along the edge of the barrel channel. Tape off the front of the forend as well, cutting along the radius of he channel. Rough up the barrel channel with some 60-80 grit sandpaper and even consider drilling some shallow holes about 1//8" in dia along the bottom and sides of the barrel channel in the stock. Make them at various angles and not too deep (3/16" or so is enough) as they're merely there to anchor your next step.



Mix up some "Bondo" or other epoxy body filler and put a generous layer along the bottom of the barrel channel. Paint the recoil lug with some gun oil, PAM cooking spray, or wax and wipe some along the tape as well.

Lay the action into the Bondo, secure action screws as if the rifle was going to be fired, and let Bondo cure. Remove action, strip tape, and trim excess Bono at edges of stock with a real sharp chisel.

Paint the Bondo to match the stock color. You can even add any spiderweb type pattern by painting them in using the pointed end of a cocktail toothpick.

You now have a stock that looks like it was inletted for the barrel that is installed in it.


All of the above assumes that "Looks" are really that important.
 
#11 ·
I have a B&C Medalist Lite Tactical and it shoots slightly better on average than the original Hogue, but I think it has more to do with how the stock fits me. I seem to be able to manage the recoil better with the B&C.
 
#12 ·
I like the way the factory Hogue stock on my SPS feels but I know that it's lack of rigidity is affecting accuracy potential. I've done a lot of research and for my very limited budget, I have decided that the B&C Light Tactical will be the way to go.

However, I have seen some Hogue stocks with full-length aluminum bedding blocks. Are these any good? It has to be better than the pillar bedded crap that came on the rifle. Right?

The issue I have with a lot of stocks is that they seem to be made for bench or prone shooting exclusively. Most of the McMillan or H-S Precision stocks I've checked out at my LGS feel awkward to hold and I wouldn't want to fire them offhand.

I'd really like to find a solid, affordable, stock that would do well on a bi-pod or offhand.

Am I dreaming?
 
#14 ·
I'd really like to find a solid, affordable, stock that would do well on a bi-pod or offhand.

Am I dreaming?
Just remember that often stocks are designed and built to perform well in one position or another. To make a stock suitable for prone/bench, or offhand, you have to make compromises.

That said, I can "offhand" my B&C Tactical "A-5" without too much trouble. It is heavy and holding 17# is not something one would look forward to very much. The plus is that recoil is more manageable. The minus is that a few offhand shots and you feel like you spent 2 hours at Gold's Gym with 'free weights'.

Personally, I feel an offhand shot is the last choice and if I can get into a supported position I'll do so.
 
#13 ·
The Lite Tactical has a full length aluminum bedding block. I also have a Choate Ultimate Varmint on my 223 Varmint with a full length bedding block. In my opinion they work very well.
 
#15 ·
i replaced the factory hogue stock when i got my 308 sps tactical. I bought a hs precision full aluminum bed stock from midway usa. i like it much better than the flimsy rubber stock
 
#17 ·
Consistency is the key here and If you start loading it up on a bipod you will start to see the issues really show. When you are able too get a decent stock/chassis system and timney CE you will really make strides in accuracy. Reloading also along with good glass rounds out the 4 things needed to really start to make a stock 700 shine.
 
#20 ·
I have read alot of the posts on several forums about the "junk" Hogue stock on the SPS Tacticals and that they need to be swapped with a better one right out of the box for accuracy issues. I dont know if the Hogue stock issue is just a .308 problem but I just got my SPS Tactical .223 in last week and took it to the range Saturday morning. Given there was a light wind blowing (5-10) and the fact that I was using factory 55gr. Hornady Spire point ammo, off a bi-pod and rear bag I managed to pull off a 1/2" 3 shot group at 100 yards right out of the box within the first 10 shots. Thinking it was a fluke I went back to the range yesterday and after taking a couple warm up shots the gun fired a 3/8" 3 shot group at 100 yards. Now i am fairly new to long range shooting and my skills are decent at best but I have shot pretty much my entire life so I know that most guns I shoot are far more accurate than what I can make them be as the shooter, with old eyes and a little shakiness. So for my experience with the Hogue stock I was on the verge of ordering a Bell & Carlson after reading the posts so I would have it in time to install when i got the gun. At the request of my buddy to wait on a stock and see how it shoots first for myself, I am glad I saved the $300.00 I would have spent on the stock and put towards the Vortex optic that is on the way. Bottom line in my opinion I would shoot the gun before dropping the cash for a different stock right off the bat if you are building a budget rifle.

I also had one single hole group which was 1/4" but I my skill set wouldnt let me repeat that so I stick to the 3/8" group because I was able to repeat that group a couple times.