Mc Millan Mc3 Stock

I have installed quite a few rifle triggers and barrels. I’ve also modified some stocks and fitted new ones. While each part of the rifle is important, the stock probably doesn’t get enough attention. Bedding and fit is important and some makers such as Mc Millan take a lot of the work out of fitting a rifle stock. Some stocks are expensive but they serve a real purpose. The most accurate combinations are the subject of constant study.

In the end, no matter how good the action, barrel, and optics are, the foundation—the rifle stock—must be solid. Stocks shift or move during recoil. The barrel and action also shift in most types of stocks. This has an effect on the relationship between the point of aim and the point of impact. While the rifle must be free floating and not touch the stock more than necessary for best accuracy, the action must be firmly bedded.

Very seldom do you see a truly accurate rifle with a factory stock, although many are reasonably accurate. The best shooters use some type of aftermarket rifle stock as they stop shifting and compression. Top: The Remington 700 Mc Millan Mc3 stock and Bushnell scope combination proved an ergonomic and useful combination. It is most friendly when firing. While wood stocks are often less consistent, not every synthetic stock is better than wood.

Most factory plastic stocks are hollow; this is cheap and it isn’t ideal. The grain structure of wood stocks cannot be as consistent as high end polymer stocks. This results in inconsistent harmonics and less accuracy than is optimum. The plastic stocks are surprisingly thin in many cases, though some are better than others. As an example, the Savage Apex Storm is considerably superior to the Savage Axis, a less expensive rifle, but all have relative shortcomings compared to a stock like those from Mc Millan.

Fiberglass is more rigid than plastic and a robust Mc Millan offers greater weight and solid density. The heavier the caliber, I believe, the greater the advantage a Mc Millan stock offers. A problem for many shooters is the expense, which can be as much as $1,000. Mc Millan has experimented with injection molding to the point they felt that they were able to offer a quality stock in this material.

The original fiberglass stocks are more costly, while the newer stocks are less expensive and much better than an inferior hollow body stock. For the most part, wood stocks and plastic stocks in particular cannot offer the stiffness needed for a solid, dense stock. There are limits to the thickness of which plastic ma-

Top While it isn’t well suited to adult shooters, it was a good job of creating a youth stock. terial may be molded. Tolerances and shrinkage due to the elements are problems with many plastic stocks. Some of the plastic stocks are excellent choices for rimfire rifles as there are different standards at play. When you move to heavier calibers the problem of rigidity becomes more apparent. And this problem becomes more important the heavier the caliber. The new Mc Millan Mc3 stock addresses many issues.

First, the Mc3 is crafted from a material called Xenolite; shrinkage isn’t a problem according to Mc Millan. Differences in the material allow greater flexibility in molding the final outline of the stock. The stock is similar to the legendary A5 stock Below and The work was flawless and only minor fitting was needed. and it features aluminum pillars. This pillar bedding is intended to offer rigidity at the trigger guard and action screw in particular.

The Legend Standard is available for less than $300, providing a price that gives shooters looking for an excellent stock a good break. For specifications, the Mc3 has an average weight of 61 ounces, 30.75" length, 1.75" forend width, and a length of pull of 13.5". The stocks are 100% Xenolite composite material for improved rigidity and stiffness with aluminum pillars bedded in during molding. A one-inch Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad, two front sling studs, and rear QD Cup and Loop is included and installed.

A cheek riser or spacer system is available but not included on the Legend Standard. The Mc3 is molded to fit Varmint and Sendero barrel contours and is designed to fit all Remington 700 footprint actions including Defiance, Bighorn, Seekins Precision, Kelbly, Stiller, Lone Peak, Tuebor Precision, and similar, though some may require minor modification. The stocks are available in OD green and tan as well as the full spectrum of Mc Millan paint shop options.

It’s worth emphasizing that "some may require minor modification" warning in the specification as it proved true for my project. There is some discussion as to whether to rely on factory pillar bedding or to also bed the stock. I think that bedding the stock will be a good choice for those seeking the "Nth degree" of accuracy—and that is almost all of us. My personal rifle has turned out very well but it is a precision hunter, not a Ben-

chrest competition rifle. It is important to take the shooter’s needs into account. A few words are in order on the origin of the Remington 700 30-06 Springfield illustrated. I found the rifle on the used rack at a pawn shop. This Remington 700 was in excellent shape with a clean bore While a snug fit, the trigger guard area did not require hand fitting. and smooth action.

The scope isn’t expensive but turned out to be a very nice rifle optic; the Bushnell Varmint has given such good service it isn’t slated for replacement. The wood stock was the problem as it had been cut into a youth stock leaving it far too short for my average build, even though the job The trigger group and receiver were a good tight fit.

The bolt handle, however, was too tight in the stock. done was excellent and the stock was very attractive but it severely eroded the rifle’s resale value and made it useless for an adult shooter. Plus, 30-06 Springfield isn’t an ideal youth starter rifle, at least in my opinion, but then perhaps the previous owner handloaded ammunition to 30-30 Winchester levels. Regardless, the rifle was in excellent condition and the stock, while not for me, was very well turned out.

Due to the short, nonstandard stock, that Remington was setting on the shelf at a bargain basement price and has become my favorite 30-06 bolt action rifle of all time, largely due to the Mc- Millan stock I added. I don’t say that lightly as the rifle’s Huber aftermarket trigger (Huber Concepts. com, is also a desirable component, but that is a story for another time. In total, action, optic, excellent trigger, and Mc Millan stock combination make for an excellent rifle. Back to bedding.

I suspect few Mc Millan Mc3 stocks will be bedded as most will be installed and used as issued. But some of us will want to get the maximum benefit from the rifle. With these stocks the recoil lug is molded in. With original wooden stocks the recoil lug is machined in place. I originally began the project planning to test the rifle for accuracy with the wooden stock but decided against it.

I could not get into any type of firing position with the cut down stock that would have provided valid results and decided against (Continued on page 22)

testing accuracy until after final fitting. Inletting with the Mc Millan is far superior to factory rifles. You may actually get very close to the maximum accuracy potential without bedding, although repeatability may be better with bedding. There has been a great deal of experimentation in bedding but in the end aluminum pillar bedding and the Mc Millan system is at the top of the strata for most of us. Pillars stop compression according to Mc Millan and that is the design intent. That is a great improvement.

The end user must decide if accuracy potential is met with the stock and if bedding is needed. When fitting the Mc Millan stock I experienced some difficulty in a perfect fit. The rifle went in and tightened but the area around the bolt did not allow the bolt to rise as it was locked down tight. I carefully moved the rifle back and forth and determined that the stock needed a little work both fore and aft. A small area about six inches back from the forend was carefully sanded.

More material was removed around the bolt handle. In the end I had a very tight, solid fit. This is for the best as we want some fitting in order to achieve maximum fit and accuracy potential. After tightening the action down and dry firing the rifle, I was ready for the range. I fired a few of my own handloads using 168 grain Nosler bullets and Hodgson IMR 4895 powder. It took a few shots to properly sight the rifle at 100 yards having first bore sighted the rifle in the shop.

Using factory Nosler 165 grain Partition loads I carefully fired two three-shot groups getting an average group of 0.9 inches. This is good enough for the hunting and recreational shooting I am doing with the rifle and it is plenty accurate to 300 yards. While there are more accurate rifles, I’ve found this rifle maintains its accuracy in extended firing. Another great advantage in the Mc Millan stock is comfort. While accuracy potential is there the stock design is among the most comfortable I have fired and used.

The wrist doesn’t get tired and the shoulder isn’t beat up. This is worth the upgrade alone. I find the Mc Millan Mc3 an excellent, all-around stock and well worth its price. Be prepared to do minor fitting. If you want the final degree of accuracy, bed the stock. The Mc3 is an affordable option for shooters well worth the asking price. AG