In the world of precision shooting, you may have noticed that the wooden rifle stock is fading out. Once the primary material for traditional stock, wood offered a cheap, workable solution for mounting your rifle. However, it was realized decades ago that this is where the advantages ended. With the progression of manufacturing materials, wood is no longer as economical and can warp and change size over time and with temperature. In the early 1960's, fiberglass composite stocks started to appear on the market. They offered a stronger, lighter, and more stable alternative to wood-stocked rifles. For years, these fiberglass / synthetic stocks have dominated the bolt action market.
However, both wood and fiberglass factory rifle stock have their limitations. While they can provide a solid shooting platform, fiberglass and wood stocks have an inherent resistance to adjustability and customization. Most are more akin to the one-size-fits-all variety, though some newer models do have adjustable features. The amount of finish work required to make them an acceptable and stable platform often puts the final cost much more than the shooter originally intended. Although bolt action rifles are generally not used for long strings of fire, fiberglass is also an insulator and will hold in much more heat.
Today's precision shooter wants something that can be tailor-made for them for the ultimate comfort and versatility. Moreover, it must be highly accurate, customizable, and stylish. This is where the aluminum rifle chassis comes into play. If you seek to improve your current rifle platform, a chassis may be your best investment.
There is no overstating the ease of installation provided by a rifle chassis. Choose a model that features a custom inlet for your receiver, and it will install in minutes; this is as easy as tightening down the action screws. If you plan on switching barrels in the future, you will find the chassis design to be especially user-friendly, as you may not even have to remove the action from the chassis.
Chassis style gets away with this style of installation with a couple of different methods. The most common is the V-block. A V-block is simply an aluminum "V" that cradles the receiver while giving it two solid contact surfaces. This allows for inconsistencies in receiver diameter.
Another method, and the one used by XLR, is what we call a multi-point, radial cut inlet. Like the V-block, a multi-point inlet has raised surfaces to contact the receiver. However, instead of just two contact points, XLR inlets have a multitude of high points that will essentially "self-bed" the receiver to the chassis - giving much more contact area to the receiver than a traditional V-block. This multi-point bedding system takes much longer to machine than the V-block, but is a worthwhile sacrifice.
A visual comparison alone will tell you much about the comfort features available on chassis vs. those on traditional rifle stocks. Much of the comfort you receive is found in the buttstock.
XLR's Tactical Lite buttstock has adjustments for length of pull, cheek rest height, and recoil pad height.
The modern detachable buttstock, compact and relatively lightweight, is a marvel in providing support and adjustability to an individual shooter - and is something you just can't add to a traditional fixed rifle stock. On a well-made buttstock, you will find a cushioned recoil pad, adjustable length of pull, adjustable recoil pad cant, adjustable cheek rest height, and attachment methods for monopods and slings. Most chassis systems will also come with a molded pistol grip, such as the Ergo, that enhances performance by providing a better interface between the shooter and the firearm. Most of the time, these grips are of the AR-15 variant and thus offer more customization for the end user by allowing them to select the grip of their choice.
A rifle chassis can improve accuracy greatly over factory stocks by as much as 50% in some scenarios,including long-range shooting. In addition to providing a more solid bedding system, aluminum chassis are not affected by the elements, so you will not see variations in accuracy during shooting sessions. Furthermore, including an aluminum bedding block in the chassis enhances stability and reduces vibrations, resulting in improved shot consistency. The adjustability of the stock is also a key factor in end accuracy. By fitting the rifle to the shooter, the shooter is much more consistent in his/her shots, as their natural point of aim is unaffected.
Chassis systems also allow adding multiple accessories such as thermals, night vision, bipods, quivers, sling adapters, barricade stops, and Picatinny rails. They may even have integrated features such as M-LOK or Key-mod compatible slots and Quick Detach or QD sling sockets.
The ENVY chassis system has several integrated features including a dovetail mount for tripods.
Some models, such as the XLR Envy chassis, have all of these features as well as an integrated dovetail mount for tripods and a built-in bubble level for adjusting rifle cant. In any case, there is a broad range of accessories that can add ease and enjoyment to your shooting experience.
An off-the-shelf rifle usually comes with an internal magazine with only a minimum number of rounds. You can convert your stock so that it will accept box-style magazines but expect to pay a couple of hundred dollars for this transformation. On the other hand, most chassis will come with an integrated detachable magazine system capable of receiving large-capacity magazines. The XLR systems, for example, accept all AICS-style magazines.
Much like traditional aftermarket stocks, chassis systems range in price from hundreds of dollars to thousands. But often, the lack of gunsmithing and modification required to add comparable features and accessories makes a rifle chassis the better value. From the bedding of the action to the addition of a detachable magazine system, many find the traditional composite or wood stock more expensive in the long run.
Choosing the best chassis for your needs can be daunting, as there are many makes and models to choose from. As chassis have increased in popularity over recent years, manufacturers have responded with competitive pricing and various styles and configurations. All of this development has benefited no one more than the consumer. There has never been a better time to enter the exciting world of shooting with a rifle chassis!
XLR's ELEMENT chassis, with its $442 price tag, is a highly functional and affordable chassis model for shooters of all levels.
Introduction
In the world of shooting sports and hunting, accuracy reigns supreme. The pursuit of pinpoint accuracy has led to innovations that continue to shape the firearm industry. Among these innovations, rifle chassis systems have emerged as a revolutionary development, transforming the way shooters interact with their firearms and enhancing the potential for accuracy. In this article, we will explore the many ways in which rifle chassis systems can substantially improve shooting accuracy.
Stability as the Foundation
One of the key features of accuracy improvement through rifle chassis systems is the stability they provide. Unlike traditional stocks that can flex and warp under recoil, the rigidity of chassis systems minimizes such distortions. This rigidity is maximized in a one-piece, metal chassis that has no joints to allow distortion. The result is a more consistent platform that allows shooters to maintain their point of aim shot after shot, which is critical when quick follow-up shots are necessary.
Customizable Ergonomics
Every shooter’s body is unique and ensuring that the firearm fits comfortably and naturally in the shooter’s hands is crucial for accuracy. Rifle chassis systems offer a level of customization previously unthinkable with conventional stocks. In many chassis, shooters can adjust the length of pull, cheek rise, and even the angle of the recoil pad to suit their individual preferences and body dimensions. This personalized fit translates into improved shooter comfort and more consistent accuracy over time.
Accessory Options
Accuracy is not solely dependent on the firearm itself but also on the connection between the shooter and the firearm. Rifle chassis systems allow for customizable accessories to fit the shooter’s needs, such as a pistol grip, adjustable buttstock, weights, and many more. Shooters can experiment with different grip styles and placements to identify the configuration that provides the most natural and stable shooting position. This customization minimizes the variables that could negatively impact accuracy.
Reduced Recoil and Muzzle Movement
Muzzle movement during firing can significantly affect accuracy, especially during follow-up shots. Given features such as a recoil lug pocket that allows you to bed the recoil lug, v-channel bedding, and a free-floating barrel, the chassis design and construction can help dissipate recoil forces more efficiently than traditional stocks. This leads to quicker sight realignment and more rapid target reacquisition.
Modularity Unleashed
Rifle chassis systems embrace modularity, a feature that further contributes to accuracy enhancement. Shooters can easily switch out components to optimize the rifle for different shooting scenarios. Easily add weight for a precision long-range competition gun, or make your gun as light as possible for hunting and easy packability. A modular chassis system empowers shooters to adapt their firearms to the task at hand, resulting in improved accuracy outcomes.
Precision for Long-Range Shooting
Long-range shooting is where the impact of rifle chassis systems becomes particularly pronounced. Achieving consistent accuracy at extended distances demands a combination of factors, and the chassis system is a critical one. The stability, ergonomic adaptability, and recoil management offered by these systems can aid shooters in consistently hitting targets hundreds, or even thousands of yards away. Whether it be a competition where quick variations in target distances occur, or hunting where one precise shot at long range is required, a rifle chassis provides the needed improvement.
Ultradyne UD Chassis and Buttstock
Given all these factors for improved accuracy and overall comfort, the Ultradyne UD Chassis system rises above the rest. Crafted from 6061 T6 aluminum for exceptional strength and durability, the one-piece design weighs between 1.1 and 1.3 pounds. It is a full-service chassis with up to 10.8 inches of arca-rail and 20 M-LOK slots. This makes it suitable for a hunting rifle that could weigh as little as 6 pounds to a target rifle that weighs as much as 26 pounds.
The Ultradyne Adjustable Buttstock was designed with the same parameters as the chassis. Start with the lightest version possible to maintain exceptional strength and give it the adjustability to add enough weight to balance your rifle. With the Ultradyne no rattle design, users can fully adjust the length of pull, cheek rise, and even butt pad placement without sacrificing any rattle or movement.
Conclusion
Rifle chassis systems are more than just a trend; they are a technological leap that reshapes how shooters approach accuracy. Through stability, ergonomic customization, and modularity, these systems have the potential to elevate shooting accuracy to new heights. While acknowledging that the shooter’s skill, practice, and familiarity with the rifle remain paramount, rifle chassis systems offer a solid foundation upon which accuracy can flourish.