mcmillan Stocks

[C.Smith]

What is a Mcmillan stock going to do with my stock Remington with synthethic stock? Wholesale sports had one for my rifle that is 2.5 pounds and looks kind of cool, but it was $329 I believe (not sure if thats a good prise or not). My rifle seems to shoot just fine the way it is now by the way.

Corey

 

[BK]

That's a screaming deal on a Mickey!

A McMillan will be stiffer, stronger, more stable to temperature changes. If it fits you, I would jump on that thing pronto. Is it a swirley?

 

[Mountain Goat]

That is a great deal on a McMillan! I've never been able to justify the $500 or so for a rainbow or bile swirl version, or why some tie up so much into a rifle just so they can say Mcswirly. That's part of what makes our sport so wonderful though. Like anything in life, without choices we just become complacent.

 

[C.Smith]

It's not a swirly just a pebble like finish.

Corey

 

[Guy Miner]

"What is a Mcmillan stock going to do with my stock Remington with synthethic stock?"

Maybe nothing.

Depends on how the rifle is working for you now, what you want from it and how that McMillan fits you.

Couple of things to consider with a rifle stock. Riflemen get real worked up about a properly bedded stock, and they should. It can have a lot to do with accuracy achieved.

However I rarely see or hear riflemen discussing the fit of the stock/rifle to them. This is where a nice custom stock can make a tremendous difference in how the rifle carries, how easily it comes to the shoulder, if the sights/scope line up instantly with the eye, if the rifle can be snugged into the shoulder well, if it rides well when recoiling off a sand bag or a backpack... On and on - the stock is your way to make the rifle fit you better, and make it shoot better for you.

One thing nice about McMillan is that they will truly build it your way. Want a longer length of pull? Sure. Want a different fill weight to make the rifle heavier or lighter, or maybe counter the muzzle heavy feel of a varmint barrel? Sure! Want a different finish or color? Sure. Want sling swivels on the side of it instead of underneath the stock? Sure thing. The ability to order it custom, and get exactly what you want, is huge to me. I've only got one McMillan stock, but it was built for me, exactly the way I wanted it. Each one is laid up by hand, and there's a lot the good folks at McMillan can do to make it YOUR stock.

But - if you just buy a McMillan somebody has got on hand, you're still getting a Very Tough piece of gear that is very well built. I believe McMillan has bragged that in the three decades the USMC used their original M40A1 stocks, the Corps never returned one for replacement. I served with a platoon of snipers (no, I'm not and have never claimed to be a USMC scout sniper) and those fellows put their rifles through some real tough treatment. We had eight guys with McMillan stocked sniper rifles - never a problem with the stocks, not at all. Apparently the same ran true throughout the entire Corps. That's a lot of sniper rifles getting beat on real bad, and the stocks just shrugged it off.

So what you get from the McMillan is a tough piece of gear, that may or may not fit you better than your current stock. If you don't bed it, it won't likely fit the rifle much better either. If it does happen to fit you well, and you bed it well, the rifle will likely shoot and carry great. Yeah, it's a lot of money to sink into what is basically a gun handle. Similar money to re-barreling a rifle. Worth it? Individual choice, only you'll know if it was truly worth the money.

Regards, Guy

 

[SJB358]

Well said Guy. That explains it about as good as it gets! Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Guy, your explanation was clear and concise. You almost made me change out my walnut stocks on the Featherweights. :shock:

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Yes, nice write up Guy.

I would add two additional things about Mcmillian stocks. I have on on my bench rifle. The stock was purpose built for the bench. The bottom of the stock is about 4" wide, and perfectly flat. It's built this way to fit the front rest. I'm not aware of anyone else who makes a stock that fits this purpose as well as the Mcmillian. So if you have a specific purpose you are attempting to fulfill, Mcmillian offered option that others may not.

Second, Mcmillians are made to be bedded. They do not make "drop in" stocks. If you don't plan to bed it, don't buy a Mcmillian.

 

[C.Smith]

Thank you for the great reply gentleman I have lots of things to think about on this one. Hmmmm.

Corey

 

[big rifle man]

I've had a MacMillan stock on my .338RUM stainless for about 7 years now. It still looks the same as the day I bought it and It's been on many Elk Hunts. They wear like iron and my rifle shot excellent from day 1 without bedding. Actually, upon speaking with a Macmillan rep I was told that the stock does not need bedding and will shoot fine as is. I can definitely vouch for its quality.

 

[roysclockgun]

All good responses, and a special tip of the hat to Guy Miner for the time he took to answer concisely.
I have owned a fired a number of rifles sporting a McMillan. About ten years ago, I bought a .308Win. Savage Model 10 LEO sniper rifle and topped it with a Burris Signature 6 to 24 power target scope. The stock is the one with the very severe pistol grip that feels good shooting from any position, although I admit I don't often shoot that much weight off hand.
I took it west one time just to have fun shooting prairie dogs and the wind bucking ability of those heavier bullets was really noticeable when compared to my 55gr bullets from my 22-250. I took my personal best shot on a PD at just over 400 yards. Not enough to earn me a patch from Varminter Magazine, but it made me happy. I have to give a part of the credit for making that sort of shot to the McMillan.
I have to say that the rifle shoots about as consistantly as any that I have owned.
Maybe I am just an average kind of guy, because off the shelf stocks seem to fit me fine. The most important thing, is to adjust the distance from your eye to the scope lens. If I can close both eyes, mount the rifle to my shoulder, open my eyes and find the full scope picture, clearly in the right place, then for me, the stock fits.
My best advice: If your current stock fits you to your own satisfaction, and you are cleanly taking game, using that stock, stay with it. If on the other hand, having the McMillan on your rifle will bring you joy and your want it, go for it.
Best,
Steven in DeLand

 

[akhunter]

McMillan is the holy grail in the stock world. :mrgreen:

 

[C.Smith]

Once, thank you to everyone for taking the time to answer my question.

Corey

 

[taylorce1]

I just bought a M70 Classic FWT .30-06 bedded in a McMillan FWT stock on it, and I'll post pictures after the first of the year when it is in my hands. I haven't decided if I'm going to keep it yet or not. I bought it for the action as I have a McMillan Hunters Edge waiting to drop this action in a .338-06 as soon as I can figure out what barrel to use.

This will make the third McMillan I've bought this year. I can't tell you how the stock shoot yet as I sold the first one to pay for the Edge before I ever mounted a rifle in it. I've mounted my M670 in the Edge but will not shoot it as I don't want an excuse to stop my build. I can tell you that the Edge balances nicely and points easily. It just feels great in my hands and I'm excited to get on with my build.