Tweet
With AWT listing the chassis $100 less than when it premiered with the forearm grip (still a hefty $895), I thought now would be a good time to do a quick review. It was between this and the new XLR Element chassis which is cheaper, but only comes in black (tired of black). Yes I could have cerakote as well. Also, think the element looks better with a short or at least moderate diameter barrel whereas mine is a huge 30" truck axle. This is for my 6.5x55AI build.
Let me first say that I've been involved in QC'ing aerospace machine work that my previous company made for over four years on everything from turbine engine rotary blades to Predator drone parts. I'm now a product manager for a large multi-national automotive tool company and oversee new products and QC of auto tools. So while this isn't my 20th chassis, I'm looking at it from a machining perspective.
My Pros:
- It's light. While it feels more or less normal to me, I'm told a notch over 4lbs is light for an aluminum chassis.
- It's solid, very sold. Nothing on this chassis gives you the feel of flimsiness. It's 6061, billet, or 7075 aluminum wherever it needs to be it seems. The butt-stock attachment was my main concern, I completely disassembled it and it all gave me more confidence than I had. The rails are dead on machined and when the adjuster bolts are loose it very solidly and firmly slides back or forward almost like closing a bolt on the rifle itself.
- The ergonomics of use (aka when behind it) seem to be spot on. Feels comfortable in the arm and stabilized in prone (this on a unfinished rifle, mind you).
- The interchangeability of the AR style pistol grip. I like/dont mind the one provided, but I know the finger notches might interrupt some's natural hold so it's nice to know it easily swaps out.
- The mag drop is effortless and well thought out.
- It takes 5 round AICS 300 winmag mags. And I actually fit 7 rounds of 6.5x55 in it, although 6 is much easier. I know there was some disappointment when it came to people being held to 10-round mags for .308, but im proud to report the LA version accepts 5-round mags quite well.
- The cheek-rest is actually more comfortable than it looked. Then again, i've never been one for padding and always went with bare wood or bare stock.
- The adjustment for the cheek-rest is firm and stays there once adjusted. I'd heard reviews say the thumb turned dial might move when shooting or when dragging around and should have a clicking feature, I don't see that happening too easily. Then again it's a bare stock at this pint.
- I like the rear hook and picatinny, although i wish the picatinny rail was mounted higher in order to have a shorter silhouette when using a rear monopod.
- The buttstock pad is quite thick and squishy, if I actually was shooting 300WM it wouldnt be a tall feat.
- The machining work and machining time put into this is 1. awesome but 2. a bit ridiculous.
- Ability to mount bi-pod so far forward really aids in my weight imbalance problem with such a large barrel.
- The forearm does allow for 1.3" full length diameter barrels (i've had to open up every other aftermarket stock i've had).
- 3 color options which is nice.
- It's looks are somewhat unique and very in your face (like me). But not for everyone.
My Cons:
- Some features are as sharp as they look. The machined picatinny rail forward of the mag-well isn't sharp on each notch as I thought, but each corner is rather sharp/pointy and not "eased." The rest of the machining ledges arent as pronounced and luckily are not 90 degree angles, but could use some easing as well. The whole body could have used a good 15-20 mins in an industrial vibratory tumbler.
- There was a nick on mine (shown in pics below). It was anodized over, so the nick was obviously on the stock when anodized, a QC problem my best guess.
- The threads for the forearm picatinny aren't the same as the threads I have for two different sling swivel studs. The threads are more course, which is odd of high quality machine work which usually incorporates finer threads. So I basically need a picatinny bi-pod or an adapter which is lame. I thought I was going to be able to take out one of the attaching bolt and thread in the stud to dual action as a fastener and sling swivel.
- These bolts also poke through the forearm into the barrel relief (shown in picture). Running a large barrel like myself, I may have to grind these down. And on a near $1k stock you shouldn't be grinding anything.
- Depending on the light source, the forearm looks darker than the body.
- You have to raise the cheek rest quite high in order to adjust the LOP. Well, when it's that high, you cant see through your scope and have to lower it again to find your sweet spot then raise it again and tighten the bolts.
- The bolt and raiser guide pins distend below their housing when you lower it to "low ring" height (shown in pic). These offer a sharp catch for your hand or other things when at this setting.
- The trigger inlet doesnt allow some aftermarket triggers to safety select.
- The recoil lug section is snug which can be good for a factory Remington, but for those with larger aftermarket recoil lugs it will require opening.
- It's not a great carry around stock, not ergonomically designed outside of being behind it IMO.
I'll add more when I'm back on.
The reason you clicked on this thread:
My build so far (waiting on custom action)
Bartlein 1.2-1.06" 5R 6.5 31" 1:8.5 twist barrel blank
PTG Floating 6.5x55 40 degree reamer for Ackley Improved
Redding 6.5x55 ACK custom dies
Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP MOA
Timney 510
Let me first say that I've been involved in QC'ing aerospace machine work that my previous company made for over four years on everything from turbine engine rotary blades to Predator drone parts. I'm now a product manager for a large multi-national automotive tool company and oversee new products and QC of auto tools. So while this isn't my 20th chassis, I'm looking at it from a machining perspective.
My Pros:
- It's light. While it feels more or less normal to me, I'm told a notch over 4lbs is light for an aluminum chassis.
- It's solid, very sold. Nothing on this chassis gives you the feel of flimsiness. It's 6061, billet, or 7075 aluminum wherever it needs to be it seems. The butt-stock attachment was my main concern, I completely disassembled it and it all gave me more confidence than I had. The rails are dead on machined and when the adjuster bolts are loose it very solidly and firmly slides back or forward almost like closing a bolt on the rifle itself.
- The ergonomics of use (aka when behind it) seem to be spot on. Feels comfortable in the arm and stabilized in prone (this on a unfinished rifle, mind you).
- The interchangeability of the AR style pistol grip. I like/dont mind the one provided, but I know the finger notches might interrupt some's natural hold so it's nice to know it easily swaps out.
- The mag drop is effortless and well thought out.
- It takes 5 round AICS 300 winmag mags. And I actually fit 7 rounds of 6.5x55 in it, although 6 is much easier. I know there was some disappointment when it came to people being held to 10-round mags for .308, but im proud to report the LA version accepts 5-round mags quite well.
- The cheek-rest is actually more comfortable than it looked. Then again, i've never been one for padding and always went with bare wood or bare stock.
- The adjustment for the cheek-rest is firm and stays there once adjusted. I'd heard reviews say the thumb turned dial might move when shooting or when dragging around and should have a clicking feature, I don't see that happening too easily. Then again it's a bare stock at this pint.
- I like the rear hook and picatinny, although i wish the picatinny rail was mounted higher in order to have a shorter silhouette when using a rear monopod.
- The buttstock pad is quite thick and squishy, if I actually was shooting 300WM it wouldnt be a tall feat.
- The machining work and machining time put into this is 1. awesome but 2. a bit ridiculous.
- Ability to mount bi-pod so far forward really aids in my weight imbalance problem with such a large barrel.
- The forearm does allow for 1.3" full length diameter barrels (i've had to open up every other aftermarket stock i've had).
- 3 color options which is nice.
- It's looks are somewhat unique and very in your face (like me). But not for everyone.
My Cons:
- Some features are as sharp as they look. The machined picatinny rail forward of the mag-well isn't sharp on each notch as I thought, but each corner is rather sharp/pointy and not "eased." The rest of the machining ledges arent as pronounced and luckily are not 90 degree angles, but could use some easing as well. The whole body could have used a good 15-20 mins in an industrial vibratory tumbler.
- There was a nick on mine (shown in pics below). It was anodized over, so the nick was obviously on the stock when anodized, a QC problem my best guess.
- The threads for the forearm picatinny aren't the same as the threads I have for two different sling swivel studs. The threads are more course, which is odd of high quality machine work which usually incorporates finer threads. So I basically need a picatinny bi-pod or an adapter which is lame. I thought I was going to be able to take out one of the attaching bolt and thread in the stud to dual action as a fastener and sling swivel.
- These bolts also poke through the forearm into the barrel relief (shown in picture). Running a large barrel like myself, I may have to grind these down. And on a near $1k stock you shouldn't be grinding anything.
- Depending on the light source, the forearm looks darker than the body.
- You have to raise the cheek rest quite high in order to adjust the LOP. Well, when it's that high, you cant see through your scope and have to lower it again to find your sweet spot then raise it again and tighten the bolts.
- The bolt and raiser guide pins distend below their housing when you lower it to "low ring" height (shown in pic). These offer a sharp catch for your hand or other things when at this setting.
- The trigger inlet doesnt allow some aftermarket triggers to safety select.
- The recoil lug section is snug which can be good for a factory Remington, but for those with larger aftermarket recoil lugs it will require opening.
- It's not a great carry around stock, not ergonomically designed outside of being behind it IMO.
I'll add more when I'm back on.
The reason you clicked on this thread:
My build so far (waiting on custom action)
Bartlein 1.2-1.06" 5R 6.5 31" 1:8.5 twist barrel blank
PTG Floating 6.5x55 40 degree reamer for Ackley Improved
Redding 6.5x55 ACK custom dies
Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP MOA
Timney 510
Comment