Synthetic stock for Savage ML-II

[jimbob50]

I am looking to set up my new ML-II with a after market solid synthetic stock. I can't seem to find anyone that makes such a thing. Does anyone have an Idea where I could find one.

Also I am thinking about mounting a red dot sight on this rig. I have two other ML-II's both are set up with Savage laminated stocks and 3X9 scopes

[rossman40]

On the New-New ones (your talking about the one you just got from RW) you may have the 4.40" action screw spacing. Even though Savage has been making that spacing since 2006, the stock companies are just getting around to making them.

Bell & Carlson only has the Medalist Tactical.

HS Precision is making the Pro series.

Hogue has changed their over molded stock with a escutcheon/bushing that you can turn around for the 4.25 or 4.40 spacing and then flip over for different screw lengths. You have to watch on the 4.40 spacing that the front screw, if too long, can wipe the threads out on the tip as it hits the barrel. Then when you take it out it wipes the threads out in the action.

Choate has a new tacticle stock for around $220-250 that I seen that looked pretty good but a tad heavy. The model I seen was for a detachable mag but supposedly they offer the blind mag version.

[GMB54-120]

Choate has a new tacticle stock for around $220-250 that I seen that looked pretty good but a tad heavy. The model I seen was for a detachable mag but supposedly they offer the blind mag version.

I found one of them at a local gun show for $160 in like new condition. It is very tempting just to try it but it is a bit large and im not sure how functional it would be for ME.

If its just for a range queen, it might just work well. It appeared to have aluminum bedding blocks (IIRC) and it is a blind mag short action version.

It looked like these. (top one)



I guess i need to take mine to the next show and see if mine will fit. Its been at the last 3 show, so the vendor appears to have a hard time selling it. Ive handled it a few times but im just not sure if it will feel right for ME. I really want another quality stock to keep my factory laminate in like new condition.

[rossman40]

The new one they call the Tactical stock and looks like this,



The tan one in GMBs pic is the Ultimate Sniper and the black one is the Ultimate Varminter. The Choate Ultimate series are not the prettiest socks out there by a long shot but functional. Big problem is weight, the Ultimate Sniper has to go over 5lbs, maybe even 6lbs, and the Ultimate Varminter is more in the 4lb range like the Tactical.

GMB, $160 is not a deal on a used Ultimate, if you shop around you can get a new one for that. Also make sure you get all the spacers and I think the come with two cheek pieces like in your photo.

[GMB54-120]

It appears to be new and online they are bout the same price. I cant see any indication it has been used. That vendor is always so busy, ive never had a chance to confirm anything about it. It is quite heavy but for just a range gun application, it wont bother me.

They are rather ugly too.

He should be at the show on the 11th of this month so i will take mine with me and find out if its new or used.

[DHinMN]

I actually don't mind syn. stocks on hunting rifles but the one Savage uses is pretty flimsy. I recently bought a Pellet gun that has a tactical style syn. stock on it. It came with a scope too and I really like the way it handles and carries. I'm thinking it would be nice to have a similar stock on my Savage ML. I might have to look into these. But I don't think I want to add a lot of extra weight and if they get too expensive I don't think I could justify the cost.

[Richard]

GMB...............Watch the way you talk about range queens
Richard
(And no, I would never use that monster for range work. For me it would be a McMillan/Tooley MBR 1,000 yd. light gun stock with a flat 3" forend ) Those stocks are so UGLY they would have to sneak up on a glass of water to get a drink!!!!

[jims]

I have an ulitimate sniper stock. As mentioned they are very heavy and the checkering is very sharp, almost too sharp. Some guys sand the points lightly to remove that.
I use the same sometimes just for testing but I did not find it to be practical for me in my use. Besides I like a nice piece of walnut for a stock.

[GMB54-120]

Well i finally got around to verifying my spacing. It is 4.40 but the barrel nut is not smooth. I also noticed on Midayusa site under the savage parts they list 2 barrel nuts with grooves (not smooth). One for large and one for standard shank. One looks like mine and the other looks longer.

Mine looks just like this one which says Large Shank.



This is the one the have listed for standard shank.


I understand sometimes the pics are incorrect but does this seem correct?

[rossman40]

It is close to correct and I would say correct a few years ago. Used to be you could measure the groove length and tell if it was a large or small shank nut but in the last couple of years there seems to be a bunch of different barrel nuts. The best way to make sure you have a large shank barrel is to measure the barrel diameter right in front of the barrel nut. If you measure like 1.050" then you have a small shank. If it comes closer to 1.120 then you have a large shank.

Since you have the 4.40" or "centerfeed" action screw spacing there is a 99% chance it is a large shank but you have to watch. I have been told that Savage never throws anything away and if they screw up say the threads on a large shank barrel, the just re-cut it small shank and then have a receiver cut for the small shank threads. There are a few older 10ML-IIs that are large shank because they screwed up threading the receivers and just re-cut them for large shank.

[GMB54-120]

rossman40

OK thank you, i will measure the OD just past the barrel nut. I just want any stock or barrel swap to go as smooth as possible. A stock that is basically a drop in and helps soak up the recoil of 300gr bullets on the bench is my main priority with this build.

According to my mic the barrel in front of the nut is almost 1.12. Its larger than 1.05 for sure.

[smokepoler]

I have an ML with the 4.25 spacing. I called Stocky's and they said two stocks would work, the Bell & Carlson 2999 and the H.S. Precision PSV 102. Those with 4.4 may have more choices.

[rossman40]

They left out the B&C DuraMaxx which fits the 4.25" spacing which I think is #7110. They even have that on sale for $89.95. It has pillars and while a big improvement over the factory synthetic still a bit flexible for hard use with a bipod.

You can get the B&C Medalist Tactical in both spacings and has the full length bedding block which adds a bit to the weight.

Now the Choate Tactical and both the Ultimates are also available in both spacings. The Tactical can use the same spacers and cheek pieces as the Ultimate to make it more adjustable for fit. Of the two Ultimates the Varminter is lighter and much better on the bags for range use. The only downside I seen is the Tactical has a bit larger pistol grip then the Medalist. So if you have small hands the B&C Medalist would be a better choice then Choate Tactical but I do like the adjustability.

The Hogue is nice with ether pillars or the full bedding block. The over molded rubber gives it a good feel and deadens noise if a branch hits it but if it is wet and you rub it you can get that "squeegee squeak".

Another option is a Stockade stock and if you get it "out of the mold" unfinished, price isn't that bad.

Laminates by the time you finish and put pillars in, cost wise can be more. Weight about the same.

[jimbob50]

rossman 40
Thanks for all the info. I have contacted H.S precision,Boyd's,McMillan,Bell & Carlson and Stockys. I can get a HS-P that will fit a centerfeed ML-II, but I would have to wait 12 weeks and channel out for the ramrod myself. Boyds varmint stock will work but they only make the stock with a thumb hole (I don't care for thumb hole stocks). Bell and Carlson told me that they don't have any stock to fit the ML-II. I think that their Duromax stock will fit but I am not to crazy about BC stocks to begin with so I didn't pursue it. McMillan has a stock that will fit in either sporter or varmint and they will cut out the channel for the ramrod at no additional cost. However I would have to send them my ML-II. This stock is very price at almost $500

So I am thinking about getting a Boyd Classic stock and opening up the barrel channel myself. Do you think that their is enough meat in the forend of this stock for this to work?

[smokepoler]

jimbob, did you check Stocky's. I called them last week & they had the H.S. precision & a B&C stock that fits the MLII. They had black & olive web versions. SP

[jimbob50]

smokepoler
Yes i talked to stockys. they are the people that the HS-P stock would take 12 weeks to get I don't remember them telling me about the BC stock. I will cal them tomorrow to get more info.
If they have it in stock I'll buy it. I like HS-P stock better then the BC however I am setting this ML up mostly for hunting mounting a red dot on it. I don't need to be spending a ton of $$$ on it

Thanks for the help

Jimbob

[jimbob50]

Thanks Guys

All the info was very helpful. I checked Stockys web site to see about the BC stock. it seems that it is not in stock. I ended up finding a BC Medalist varmint stock at Midway. It was more $$$ then Stockys, but I hate to wait.

HS-P v B&C. I have not seen the new BC stocks with the aluminum bedding block. All the reviews i read are very positive. maybe the quality is as good as HS-P

thanks again
jimbob

[rossman40]

When B&C first came out with that stock for the Savage it was in such demand that the retailers were taking orders and having them drop shipped from B&C which was running the molds constantly. I know some guys like them over McMillans and HSs.

Just make sure you have the right action screw spacing and it is a blind magwell. And tell Larry thank you.

[jimbob50]

rossman40
The stock came yesterday I installed it immediately. It fits perfect. the stock is every bit the quality of HS. If I could figure out how to post a pic i would.

Thanks again for all your help

Jimbob

[816372dave]

Jimbob50
which stock did you go with Im looking myself.need to replace my tupperware originally wanted to go laminate but good synthetic will better suit my needs.