Author Topic: Re-Stocking my .338. Should I Stick with ADL or Convert to BDL? (Read 1921 times)

jasonprox700 · « **on:** April 20, 2011, 10:30:59 AM »

I want to replace the current stock on my Remington 700 LA SS ADL in .338 WM. I want a synthetic stock with full length aluminum bedding in a tan web. I really like the price and weight of the Bell & Carlson Medalist Alaskan II. But the problem is, they only make it in BDL. If I went that route, I would have to purchase an ADL to BDL conversion kit. My other option is to purchase the HS Precision Pro Series 2000 Sporter stock which weighs more. It also costs more, but with having to purchase bottom metal for the conversion, I would be over the price of the HS.

I like the simplicity of the ADL and not having to worry about the bottom popping off and my shells falling all over. I also have one less thing to scratch and get hung up on since this will be my elk, moose, and bear gun. The thing I like about my BDL and my Ruger Mark II is the fact that I can dump the shells easily when done hunting and not have to cycle them through the gun.

So far, I'm kind of leaning towards the HS because I don't really use the hinged floor plate much anyway, but I would like opinions from the rest of you anyway.

Bell & Carlson Stock
http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet/the-190/700-alaskan-ti-wildermess/Detail

Conversion Kits
http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet/the-67/Conversion-Kit-Remington-700/Detail
http://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/products/parts/remington.htm (about 1/4 the way down the page)

HS Precision Stock
http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet/the-391/left-hand-stock-remington/Detail

gunnut69 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2011, 04:08:58 PM »

I don't use the floorplate much but really like the option..? But for a serious hunting piece I don't find it necessary. I would leave the ADL alone. I'd likely use the medalist Alaskan stock you like and just put a trigger guard/floorplate cover on it as Remington used on the 721.. It replaces the trigger guard and covers the floorplate opening to seal it against crud. Would be a fairly simple mod to make and give you the lighter simpler stock you wanted..

roper · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2011, 12:19:21 AM »

Two things to consider is the added weight going with the BDL style stock besides the added cost. I like the ADL for the bad weather.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2011, 02:25:21 AM »

I like the bdl much better. It allows for faster and safer unloading and is nice for when you stick a round in a bit wrong and need to get it out of the magazine. Or mistakenly stick one in with the seating dept to long ect. Its also much easier to clean the mag area.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2011, 03:22:40 AM »

I like the hinged floor plate far more than a blind magazine for the reasons Lloyd has stated.

Swampman · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2011, 01:45:43 PM »

Having converted many ADLs, I would leave it an ADL. Less chance of problems.

charles p · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2011, 03:38:16 PM »

I wanted a B&C Medalist for my 270 ADL. Almost bought the wrong stock until the rep told me it was only available in BLD format. Got the lesser priced model witout the aluminum bedding and dropped my ADL in with only a minor adjustment. The rifle shoots great. I can't imagine what a more expensive stock could have delivered. The ADL stock from B&C has worked for me. Maybe it will suit you also.

Doug B. · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2011, 01:42:51 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on May 19, 2011, 01:45:43 PM

Having converted many ADLs, I would leave it an ADL. Less chance of problems.

What kind of problems have you had?

Swampman · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2011, 01:44:14 AM »

The floorplate opening when the rifle is fired.

yooper77 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2011, 05:44:43 PM »

I would convert all ADL's. I just don't like the blind magazine. I converted a Remington 22-250 Remington ADL to an SPS, it was inexpensive and easy using brand new Remington parts off eBay.com and gunbroker.com. Also, I have never had a any SPS, BDL or CDL ever open during firings.

yooper77

Doug B. · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2011, 12:47:21 AM »

Quote from: yooper77 on May 21, 2011, 05:44:43 PM

I would convert all ADL's. I just don't like the blind magazine. I converted a Remington 22-250 Remington ADL to an SPS, it was inexpensive and easy using brand new Remington parts off eBay.com and gunbroker.com. Also, I have never had a any SPS, BDL or CDL ever open during firings.

yooper77

No problems with mine as well.

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** May 22, 2011, 01:56:50 AM »

It is an easy conversion, I just don't see the need. I own a lot of 700s.

Luckyducker · « **Reply #12 on:** May 22, 2011, 04:09:20 AM »

Jason, whether you convert the rifle to BDL or leave it ADL is your choice, but I wouldn't buy a Bell and Carlson stock without the bedding block if I were you. My friend had a B&C cusom made for his left hand Browning A-bolt 300WSM without the bedding block and it cracked behind the recoil lug through to the mag well. He regrets buying it, and he paid a hansome price for have it made special.

WSM264 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2011, 07:58:43 AM »

I like the Rem 721 bottom metal idea. I didn't know that it was possible to do that. I may do that to my ADL, because finding an aftermarket BDL stock is easier.

parkergunshop · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2011, 09:14:34 AM »

Luckyducker wrote:

Re: Re-Stocking my .338. Should I Stick with ADL or Convert to BDL?
« Reply #12 on: May 22, 2011, 08:09:20 AM »QuoteJason, whether you convert the rifle to BDL or leave it ADL is your choice, but I wouldn't buy a Bell and Carlson stock without the bedding block if I were you. My friend had a B&C cusom made for his left hand Browning A-bolt 300WSM without the bedding block and it cracked behind the recoil lug through to the mag well. He regrets buying it, and he paid a hansome price for have it made special.

The Bell and Carson Carbelite Stock is not designed for use on the heavy magnum calibers and it is better if you acraglas bed it for all standard calibers. For the heavy kickers like the .338 WM I use the MPI synthetic stock designed for the magnums.

The Carbelite stock simply flexes too much under stress without being glas bedded.
I also like laminated wood better for the big bores with cross bolts and glas bedding. Weight is an advantage in this case.

mannyrock · « **Reply #15 on:** June 24, 2011, 11:05:50 AM »

I have hunted alot with both, and I much prefer the ADL. I don't like the hollow "clunk" sound the BDL makes when when you set it down on something. I hate coming back from a hunt in cold weather, and taking off my gloves and trying to find the release button of the floor plate with numb fingers and fumbling with the swinging floor plate, and then trying fit the floorplate and spring back up into the magazine well before trying to snap the floor plate back in place.

The ADL is much faster to unload than the BDL. Just kneel down on one knee, point the muzzle towards the ground, and cycle the bolt 7 times. You are done. All of the shells fall in one neat pile.

The ADL is just a no muss, no fuss, no problem design.

WSM264 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 08, 2011, 06:02:10 AM »

If you are going after bear or hunting in bear country, I would stick with the ADL. In a 22-250 or 243 the floorplate won't pop open unexpectedly. In a 338 WM it might. I have had it happen on a 300 WM and a 375 H&H. Both were in aftermarket stocks. For 100% reliability in that area stick with the ADL design.