Stock - KRG Bravo vs B&C Medalist Target/Competition

[Phil3]

I am building a rifle in 6.5 x 47 Lapua, on a Howa action, and am very undecided between two stocks. Those are the KRG Bravo (a chassis/stock hybrid) for $439, and a Bell & Carlson Medalist (B&C) Target/Competition for $395.

https://www.legacysports.com/wp-content/uploads/bravo-fde-resized-1000x350-2-1000x350.png

http://www.snipercentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/mk3adj.jpg

If anyone has experience with one or both, would appreciate your comments. Rifle to be shot off bench only, using two different setups; 1) mechanical front rest w/heavy rabbit ear rear bag (BenchRest) and, 2) Harris or F-Class style bipod with lightweight tactical style rear bag. Looking for which might be the better choice for the kind of shooting described.

It would also help to know what typical cost is to have a stock with aluminum bedding block (B&C) skimmed bedded.


Thanks,

Phil

[Milsurp1]

How tall are you? Wear an especially long armed dress shirt? (34/35)

[Nick Adams]

I just went through this dilemma and decided to go with a Manners or a McMillan. I chose the McMillan. Buy once cry once.

[5.56Geo]

I own a KRG Bravo I bought for my Remington 700 in 6.5Creedmoor and like it a lot. There are plenty of upgrades you can buy for the KRG which is I huge plus in my book. The KRG Bravo gets my vote!

[Phil3]

How tall are you? Wear an especially long armed dress shirt? (34/35)

Hi, thanks for your question. I am 6' 1", and sleeve length is typically 34 - 35. I am thin at 163 lbs.

Phil

[Phil3]

I just went through this dilemma and decided to go with a Manners or a McMillan. I chose the McMillan. Buy once cry once.

Besides the KRG Bravo and B&C stocks, I did look at McMillan and Manners. They are very costly as you say, especially with bedding labor added in. That led me to chassis, such as XLR, MDT, MPA, KRG, etc. Still costly.

As you said, "buy once, cry once", and in the area of stocks/chassis, that certainly appears to be very true.

Phil

[Nick Adams]

I chose the McMillan for the ability to use the excellent Tikka CTR magazines, otherwise I would have gone with the KRG. I have a a B&C 10/22 and it’s kind of meh.

[NorCalFocus]

I have both the KRG Bravo and a Bell and Carlson M40. The Bravo is plain and simple more comfortable. The pistol grip and thumb shelf makes the stock for me. Im 6' and I use all 3 spacers in the chassis.

If you get the KRG make sure to get the extended driver and the extended mag release as well. Those two items are just have imho.

[Milsurp1]

I am 6’0” and wear 34/35 sleeve shirts, and my KRG Whiskey folder was not quite long enough for my arms. I could use it and shoot well, but it was not ideal.

[sigstroker]

Ironically, a lot of people put Tikkas into chassis so they can use cheaper AICS-compatible magazines.

[Nick Adams]

Ironically, a lot of people put Tikkas into chassis so they can use cheaper AICS-compatible magazines.

Those CTR mags are down to $78 each. Still a steep price. If I was invested in other AICS rifles I’d have gone the other way. But those CTR mags are ten rounds of perfection.

[Phil3]

It is risky to buy a stock or chassis sight unseen, not knowing if it is a good fit or the quality of it. I found this out first hand as I ordered the Bravo, despite KRG charging a $90 price premium (26%) to $439 for a Howa action inlet as well as the not making available the Sako green option available for Howa. I hoped the often seen poor polymer panel misalignment would not be too bad when I got the Bravo, but it was (warped). All that, and the overall “plasticky” feel of it had me promptly returning it. I wanted to like it, but saw I wanted something higher end. The B&C was lower cost with less features, but am hesitant with that brand.

A previous B&C for a Howa had such a badly misaligned front action screw hole, I could not even engage the action screw. The recoil lug was also 1/16” away from the bedding block, and the rear tang was taking all the recoil. I had a gunsmith fix it and bed it. I later added a Howa detachable mag system, which would not allow a mag to latch due to the B&C stock. I fixed that.

There is next to nothing available between lower end stuff and high end. Manners and McMillan are at $1,000 with minimal options and bedding, TWICE that of the Bravo and B&C. Chassis can be under $1,000, but wish I could handle to see if it suits me, but that is not available to my knowledge. I was looking at MDT with a MagPul PRS (on sale), grip, and mag for $770, but wish I did not have to use MDT polymer mags (Howa), which hold only 8 rounds, and not even sure I would like the feel of it.

I'd probably be OK with the B&C for my simple use, but do need a gunsmith who will fit it. I have found it hard to locate gunsmiths who will bed a stock with an aluminum bedding block, made worse by some fear of bedding a flat bottom action (Howa).

[sigstroker]

Magpuls are half that. Some people like plastic mags more than steel also.

[Echidin]

[Phil3]

Thanks for the reply about "expectations" in the context of price point. It is always something to keep in mind.

I took advantage of a 10% sale at StockysStocks and ordered the Bell & Carlson Target/Competition stock. It will be outfitted with Howa polymer bottom metal and their polymer mag. I already have this in a Howa 223 and it works fine and is way cheaper than some other options (they are metal). It will likely end up being bedded, and might need barrel channel work, but given the cost of the stock, am OK with that. I also wanted weight, and the B&C at about 3.5 lbs, gives me some of that.

Phil