01-19-2023, 05:52 AM
Teodoro,
My stock and bottom "metal" came in at 2 1/4 lbs. the forend was a bit more flexible than I cared for. on the plus side it came with stock pillars. So the rifle was heavier than I thought it should be given the petite size of the cartridge. If I was starting over I'd get the carbon stalker myself. I feel that a 6.5 Grendel mini action bolt rifle should weigh under 6 lbs. Why not? the cartridge doesn't generate much recoil so why burden the setup with a lot of weight. For a stalking rifle that is. If you're doing benchrest or F-Class, then one runs pretty heavy rigs anyway.
They are pretty weatherproof. they are injection molded. at least the one I picked up when the mini Howa first came out is. the forend flexibility was concerning due to changing the pressure and direction of pressure on the barrel. i.e. POI shift depending on how things were changing the pressure on the barrel, like how much sling tension was used, etc. I could have relieved the areas that touched the stock sufficiently that one couldn't bend the stock far enough to touch the barrel I suppose. that would prevent the POI shift. But it was still pretty portly for the petite Grendel round, in my opinion. The carbon stalker stock is pretty light weight at between 23-24 oz. so that's a whole pound lighter.
they are sufficiently durable that one would likely not have an issue with durability. and if you relieve the forend so it will not touch the barrel even under a tight sling, for example, then a POI shift due to the forend flexibility could be overcome. of course then you'll have to see if the rifle groups better or worse with a free floated barrel. No guarantees in that regard. If the weight is not a big deal for you either way, then the factory stock is likely just fine for you.
If you think a Grendel mini action bolt gun should come in at or below 6 lbs. with scope and rings and sling, well, then you'll likely want to get that carbon stalker stock. At least that is my opinion about the factory stock that came on my mini howa.
it could also be that some just like the looks of a fine piece of walnut for a stock, and I get that too. my factory plastic injection molded stock was not very aesthetically good looking. durable, yes. good looking, no. others may not care about the looks, only the durability and functionality.
I suspect Legacy Sports International chose the path they did, originally, to bring the rifle to market at a specific price point to be competitive with the CZ527 at the time, or the Yugo M85. That's probably the reason for the plastic bottom metal too. when you get to the bottom line, that is the bottom line. LSI is trying to run a business in a competitive environment. The plastic injection molded factory stock and bottom metal were probably conscious choices to meet a price point.
so, depending upon what features and aesthetics are important to you, there may be nothing wrong with the factory stock. Or if you think light weight is important for the mini howa bolt gun, get the new carbon stalker, it will be a pretty light weight rig when you're done with it I suspect. And if pretty walnut stock is your thing, there are vendors that can supply that too.
best to you,
-tdbru
My stock and bottom "metal" came in at 2 1/4 lbs. the forend was a bit more flexible than I cared for. on the plus side it came with stock pillars. So the rifle was heavier than I thought it should be given the petite size of the cartridge. If I was starting over I'd get the carbon stalker myself. I feel that a 6.5 Grendel mini action bolt rifle should weigh under 6 lbs. Why not? the cartridge doesn't generate much recoil so why burden the setup with a lot of weight. For a stalking rifle that is. If you're doing benchrest or F-Class, then one runs pretty heavy rigs anyway.
They are pretty weatherproof. they are injection molded. at least the one I picked up when the mini Howa first came out is. the forend flexibility was concerning due to changing the pressure and direction of pressure on the barrel. i.e. POI shift depending on how things were changing the pressure on the barrel, like how much sling tension was used, etc. I could have relieved the areas that touched the stock sufficiently that one couldn't bend the stock far enough to touch the barrel I suppose. that would prevent the POI shift. But it was still pretty portly for the petite Grendel round, in my opinion. The carbon stalker stock is pretty light weight at between 23-24 oz. so that's a whole pound lighter.
they are sufficiently durable that one would likely not have an issue with durability. and if you relieve the forend so it will not touch the barrel even under a tight sling, for example, then a POI shift due to the forend flexibility could be overcome. of course then you'll have to see if the rifle groups better or worse with a free floated barrel. No guarantees in that regard. If the weight is not a big deal for you either way, then the factory stock is likely just fine for you.
If you think a Grendel mini action bolt gun should come in at or below 6 lbs. with scope and rings and sling, well, then you'll likely want to get that carbon stalker stock. At least that is my opinion about the factory stock that came on my mini howa.
it could also be that some just like the looks of a fine piece of walnut for a stock, and I get that too. my factory plastic injection molded stock was not very aesthetically good looking. durable, yes. good looking, no. others may not care about the looks, only the durability and functionality.
I suspect Legacy Sports International chose the path they did, originally, to bring the rifle to market at a specific price point to be competitive with the CZ527 at the time, or the Yugo M85. That's probably the reason for the plastic bottom metal too. when you get to the bottom line, that is the bottom line. LSI is trying to run a business in a competitive environment. The plastic injection molded factory stock and bottom metal were probably conscious choices to meet a price point.
so, depending upon what features and aesthetics are important to you, there may be nothing wrong with the factory stock. Or if you think light weight is important for the mini howa bolt gun, get the new carbon stalker, it will be a pretty light weight rig when you're done with it I suspect. And if pretty walnut stock is your thing, there are vendors that can supply that too.
best to you,
-tdbru