Author Topic: Handi-rifle stock design (Read 1525 times)

bearit · « **on:** March 20, 2005, 04:34:12 AM »

I've got a few questions about the stocks on handi-rifles.....is the monte carlo or the straight stock better for eye alignment when you scope the rifle? is the synthetic stock any lighter than the wood? can you see over the factory provided scope base to use the iron sights if you had the scope off? by using the gasket-washer on the forearm screw can you free-float the barrel if the wood or plastic is a little off? any answers much appreciated......thanks in advance......bearit....

zapper223 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2005, 05:12:29 AM »

I put a choates stock/forearm on my 223 bull barrel and am going to put one on my other handis. My gun shot great before the change from wood to syn. But I think it got a little better after the change. I haven't had to do a thing to the forearm except install it and it'll shoot the 45 gr. win white box 3 shot group in a nickel at 100 everytime as long as I do my part. The custom loaded 50 gr. V-max are as good.
Good-Luck,
zapper :-)

Coastwatcher · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2005, 06:41:27 AM »

My .223 has no iron sights and came with straight back stock. I found it too low for a 42mm scope. I swapped a monte-carlo set on to it and I like it much better. My personal choice would be monte carlo for a scoped rifle and straigt back for using iron sights.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2005, 07:13:50 AM »

On the other side of the coin, my monte carlo butt stocked mannlicher 45-70 has a peep sight and fits me just fine, sight alignment is perfect....on the other hand, Lik2hunt likes the straight stock with scopes.....it's a matter of personal preference and how your body fits the stock. It's nice that H&R provides a variety of different stock options as well as there being aftermarket options like Gunstocks Inc, ATI and Choate Machine. :wink:

Mac11700 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2005, 07:17:33 AM »

Quote from: bearit

I've got a few questions about the stocks on handi-rifles.....is the monte carlo or the straight stock better for eye alignment when you scope the rifle? is the synthetic stock any lighter than the wood? can you see over the factory provided scope base to use the iron sights if you had the scope off? by using the gasket-washer on the forearm screw can you free-float the barrel if the wood or plastic is a little off? any answers much appreciated......thanks in advance......bearit....

That depends on how you shoulder a rifle...if you "cheek" it all the time...meaning your of the type to lay your face over the top of the comb and have your eyes off perpendicular with the scope...than a lower styled stock would serve you better...if your of the type who raises the gun to the shoulder and cheek...keeping your head erect and has more face contact with the stock on the side of the stock...than a monte carlo would work well...I know a few that cheek it..and they all do better with the regular shotgun style drop...and a few do better with the straight grip..fitting a stock to you will insure you have a clear site picture using either a scope or rile sites...when I use a straight comb stock...I usually end up putting a neoprene shell holder on the stock and put some soft foam rubber under it...not only does this ease the abuse my face takes...but it raises my eyes up to the proper height to utilize the scope...

I haven't weighed all the different stocks...but from the feel of it...the synthectics are lighter..

You'll be able to see over the base to use the sites...but depending on how your shooting style is...you may not be able to utilize the full range on the sites...

Yes...by using a rubber o-ring you can free float the barrel...most folks lightly sand out the barrel channels as well to eleviate any contact...about a buisness cards worth...to slip between the barrel and stock from the muzzel to the bolt stud...

Mac

Coastwatcher · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2005, 07:39:36 AM »

My way of checking stock fit is to close my eyes and shoulder the rifle. When I have it placed comfortably I open my eyes and check the sight picture or scope position. That way I can move my scope to suit my head position rather than move my head to suit the scope. Simple and it works for me.

snowman485 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2005, 05:41:13 AM »

I've found that by grinding the comb off a monte carlo stock worked well for me , not as much drop as straight and not as much rise as monte carlo.

Joel · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2005, 06:17:38 AM »

Nice thing about handi's is you can mess around with the stocks and if you screw up replacing them isn't expensive. My 2 handi's/1Topper all have straight combs which work perfectly with my scope's/cheeking method. They've also been modified( 2 handi/1 Gunstocks Inc) to straight grips, which have been lengthened and the nose moved back a bit. Also, the length of pull has been increased to 14 3/4" using recoil pads; none of my old handi's came with one. Now when I close my eyes and cheek the rifle/shotgun, the fit is perfect. The Topper(12 guage) has been modified by cutting the barrel to 18" and is fitted with a barrel band swivel from Michaels. It's my truck/screwing around in the woods gun. Throws great patterns out to around 25 yds...far as I've shot it on rabbits. Lot's of options with these weapons and for the most part no pain if you need to go back to the original. I just received my Mannlicher forend and am still trying to decide which and how on the next handi I get. Fun.