Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Photo essay of McMillan stocks for Model 70

Is that a 22" barrel? I think that would look nice on my 22" 9.3x62

I like the Hunters Edge/compact on a smaller sporter with a 22" (have one on a Rem Seven 7mm SAUM and love it on that rifle). I put one on a M70 270WSM with a 24" barrel and didn't like it at all on that rifle - way too slim/short for a 24" full sporter barrel. I have several of the M70 Supergrades, and short of the Echols Legend, I like it better than any others I've seen for a hunting sporter. The forearm is squarish, but it honestly works much better than it looks (great off just about any kind of rest, backpack, etc.).

Shameless plug - I have a couple listed in the classifieds, just trying to slim down the herd of extra stocks some.

I have had a Brown Precision on a 22" barreled 270, a couple different mcmillan fwt stocks (two on fwts, one on a std barreled 7 mag), one edge compact on a fwt 280, a supergrade (edge) on a stainless 7 mag and a slimmed down std barreled 270.
Killed a pile of game with that Brown stocked 270 and liked it, a lot. I am currently using a fwt stocked 270 (winlite) that I really like, it will stick around!
I was not crazy about the compact stock or the supergrade, neither was all that comfortable for me and the supergrade felt a bit clubby.

a 'this is too much great information to lose' bump :-)

How would you guys compare the Mcmillan Compact and the Bridges? Both seem to have very similar open grips, wondering if the comb on the bridges is a bit higher?

Comb on Bridges is significantly higher. The Compact has a rather low comb actually.

Where does one go to find a Bridges pattern stock?

True. But, I found the biggest difference between these two is the grip area. The Compact is slim, yet comfortable and a relatively common shape, while the Bridges (which I really liked as well) is VERY slim from side to side and has a very high top, sloping to the comb. (Hope that makes sense) It definitely has a unique shape to it.

I believe you can still order them from J. Earl Bridges himself or though Hill Country Rifles.

I did not like the Bridges pattern for the same reason. Think of the typical grip shape as resembling the radius of the big end of a chicken egg. The Bridges is more like the pointy end, or even tighter. Just didn't feel right in the web of my hand.

I talked to someone who has one, said the Bridges is tough to shoot well - open grip takes bottom three fingers out of the equation and the top of the bridges is narrow and hard to get the thumb really set firmly on the stock.

Don't know if I explained well but that was his feedback.

Yes, that is about right. It is not quite the right shape in the grip area.

I wish they simply made the Compact pattern with a higher comb and a small cheekpiece. Basically a KS pattern only slightly slimmer dimensions.

The Compact is great if you want to run a stock pack on it.

I am with you on the Compact/KS pattern!

+2

Some of McMillan's stock patterns seem like they come from the Middle Ages. The Compact is only a 10 year old design, but has a fair bit of drop in the comb for a "modern" design.

I posted on McMillans Facebook page suggesting from all the input s higher comb is needed in the compact stock.

Reply was - no plans for that at this time.

I think they are right about the top being tough on your thumb/web area, but I certainly would not call it "tough to shoot." For me it was a great stock for off-hand shooting and even worked well prone.

Here is a link for a few pics and a prone shot story.
Bridges Stock Hunting Story Link

TTT. Why isn't this a sticky yet???

Agreed. This here is a GREAT thread. Full of useful intel!

Hey, its a sticky now. Excellent!! Great info here. You guys should make a stock template like utah outlined in the op. I did and started another thread a long time ago. That template works for all kinds of stocks. If your template is the same, you can post pics of the stocks you have and use that as a comparison to others. Its a great visual aide.

I'm glad Rick made this a sticky finally. It deserves to be one. Now I need to add my pictures, since photobucket sucks the big one....
One of my favorite hunting rifles. m1917 sporter with custom left hand stock:


BACO 300wsm in a hunters compact micky:


Pre 64 model 70 270 fwt in hunters compact:


Winchester model 70 classic 30-06 tupperware:


Pre 64 model 70 30-06 feathweight in pre 64 montecarlo pattern. Swirly is old coyote bomber color:



Pre 64 model 70 308 fwt in hunters compact swirly:


If you guys thing the hunters compact is low at the comb, take a gander at the factory low comb stock:


I say, quit your fn sniveling..