Stocks - McMillan vs Bell and Carlson

[Tony 270WSM]

Anyone have experience with both and have an opinion as to why one is better than another?
 
 The obvious: McM Classic is more than twice the cost and is fiberglass.
 
 BaC Medalist han an aluminum bedding block and is made out of I don't know what...
 
 Pros cons of either? Would be for a 700 WSM with floorplate.

[littletoes]

Sure.....

In the McMillan, the barrel channels are straight, the inletting is Perfect, and your action will fit snug.  B & C is closer to HS Precision (although I think those boys would be insulted at THAT comment), than it is to a McMillan.

[BC CHASER]

I had a bell and carlson on my 300 for about 4 years.  I decided to take the stock off for a through cleaning and found large cracks in my for end and between my trigger guard and floor plate.  I contacted them and they would not give me the time of day.  I had Doc from MPI stocks build me a stock last year and I love it.  They are spendy   but well worth it.  Every thing is built to your measurements.  And he is located in portland so hes not that far away.

[700xcr]

Well I ordered a HS Precision Mt. Ranger stock a week ago for my Remington model 700xcr 270wsm.  It has the full aluminum bedding block. Had the Limbsaver recoil pad and extra sling swivel install. Cost me $520.00 shipped. They said it would take 6 weeks to be delivered.

[actionshooter]

Sure.....

In the McMillan, the barrel channels are straight, the inletting is Perfect, and your action will fit snug.  B & C is closer to HS Precision (although I think those boys would be insulted at THAT comment), than it is to a McMillan.

 I don't think an HS is anywhere near a B&C. HS builds very high quality. Nothing wrong with B&C if your just switching from wood to synthetic but if you want to build a sub-moa rifle go with HS, Mcmillian, Rimrock   

[littletoes]

I own both HSP and MCM, both are very good, but the HS is a bit "less" than the MCM.

Barrel channel "gaps" on two of my HS "vary" down the length of the barrel, bedding isn't perfect with the one-piece bedding block, and need "cleaning up"  with a skim bed.

Can't find ANY of these issues with a McMillan.....sorry.

[actionshooter]

I own both HSP and MCM, both are very good, but the HS is a bit "less" than the MCM.

Barrel channel "gaps" on two of my HS "vary" down the length of the barrel, bedding isn't perfect with the one-piece bedding block, and need "cleaning up"  with a skim bed.

Can't find ANY of these issues with a McMillan.....sorry.

 Why be sorry?
 I wasn't comparing Mcmillian and HS, I am comparing B&C to the other 2. I would put B&C a step ahead of Ramline and the other 2 are way ahead.
 
   My best rifle has a Mcmillian but I also have an HS on a varminter and don't have the problems you have posted 

[700xcr]

I own both HSP and MCM, both are very good, but the HS is a bit "less" than the MCM.

Barrel channel "gaps" on two of my HS "vary" down the length of the barrel, bedding isn't perfect with the one-piece bedding block, and need "cleaning up"  with a skim bed.

Can't find ANY of these issues with a McMillan.....sorry.

I am not familiar with bedding. What do you mean by skim bedding? Are you using glass to bed action to aluminium bedding block?

[littletoes]

Devcon, titanium, stainless steel, aluminum, you can pick what you want to use, and "skim" bed it ( a very thin amount) to ensure 100% contact between the action and the stock, yes even with an aluminum bedding block.

You see, the problem is, that one bedding block is made to fit ALL of the actions out there (same models that is! Such as the Remington 700), but even though they are the same from the factory, they still have differances, and the bedding compensates for this.

I'd have to agree with you on the others. HS isn't very far behind McMillan, won't argue with you on that!  

[700xcr]

Devcon, titanium, stainless steel, aluminum, you can pick what you want to use, and "skim" bed it ( a very thin amount) to ensure 100% contact between the action and the stock, yes even with an aluminum bedding block.

You see, the problem is, that one bedding block is made to fit ALL of the actions out there (same models that is! Such as the Remington 700), but even though they are the same from the factory, they still have differances, and the bedding compensates for this.

I'd have to agree with you on the others. HS isn't very far behind McMillan, won't argue with you on that!  

Thank you for the information.

[FOsteology]

McMillan or bust!

IMHO and IME aluminum bedding blocks are a complete joke. They serve no real useful purpose other than to mask the inferior fill used that would not otherwise hold up to recoil.

Medalist shells are too thin and flimsy, their fill is prone to make the fore end wander when it gets hot.

McMillan is FAR AND AWAY the leader in the custom stock game. From raw materials quality, to finished-product quality, to available options, to inlet quality, to warranty, to retained value, McMillan is simply the best.

[Intruder]

I don't have any 1st hand experience w/ anything but McMillan.  Mine is great!  I do have a friend who switched from a factory wood laminent to an HS and had a great increase in accuracey.  My quess is that depending on what your're switching from you'll likely see a benefit from any that you mentioned.  Comes down to how much $ ya wanna spend for the final gnat's ass of difference.... 

[700xcr]

I just recieved the HS Precision stock Friday. I am very not happy with them. I will be calling them on Monday. First thing they installed the second front sling stud not even aligned with other studs. Second there is a divot in stock next to tang area. Third they say that any modifications would void warranty and the lug area is really sloppy. I can move stock back and forth an eigth of an inch. My Remington XCR stock fits tight in lug. They are not backing their name thats for sure.

[Jamieb]

If I could afford to, every rifle I own would wear a McMillan. I've had a lot of stocks and came to the conclusion, run the factory stock until you can afford a McMillan. B&C stocks are flimsy crap, HS is better but is the worst I've ever felt for transmitting. The price and wait times suck but I've got another McMillan on ordered I'm always looking for used ones.

[Tony 270WSM]

For those who have McMillans... does yours have pillars? Glass bedded? Nothing added?

Seems incredibly expensive, for just a stock, if you get the McM, pillar and glass bedded. Is that $700 really going to shrink groups?