In “olden” days changing out the stock on your Remington 700 precision rifle, bedding the action and floating the barrel required a lot of time and money. Sometimes you ended up with more money in that modification than the rifle cost to begin with. If you wanted to convert it over to a removable magazine that actually worked properly, even more time/money was necessary. Today, Magpul has a high-quality option that’s within everyone’s budget – the Magpul Hunter 700 stock.
Shooting a precision rifle accurately is all about consistency. Getting the proper “fit,” ensuring the rifle matches your size and shape is mandatory to consistency, and precision accuracy. Most factory stocks are too long; the Hunter stock is adjustable for length of pull. Once you clamp an optic on your bolt gun you’ll have to raise the comb to get a clear field of view through the scope. In the past we taped on pieces of foam padding and/or used strap on cheek pieces. The Hunter’s adjustable comb, using interchangeable cheek pieces, lets you tune the stock to the right height. The Hunter stock makes it simple and easy to fit the stock to your exact needs.
Another big advantage of the Hunter stock is the ability to convert your rifle over to a removable magazine. And, Magpul’s “Bolt Action Magazine Well” actually works. The stock is M-LOK compatible, making it simple to add any accessories you might need for your specific application.
Installation is simple, although you will need an inch-pound torque wrench to get the action screws properly tightened. (Improper torque will cause a shift in your zero.). Remove the action from the factory stock and install it into the Hunter. This is the same time you install Magpul’s trigger guard/mag well to convert it over to the mag fed rifle. Again, it’s simple, easy and affordable.
A local police department contacted me about installing the Magpul Hunter stock on their bolt guns. The officers brought their rifles and the new Magpul parts. Swapping stocks, including the new mag setup took about thirty minutes. On the range we checked zero; all that was required was about a ½ minute adjustment on the scope. All the shooters remarked on how “good” the stock felt. Total time to swap, zero and confirm was about an hour per rifle. How’s that for “easy?”
The ultimate question when I see any new part or accessories is, “Would I buy one?” With Magpul’s Hunter stock the answer is an emphatic “Yes.” Almost any part I get ends up getting modified to make it fit my needs. With the Hunter stock I don’t see anything that needs to be done, except for a good camo paint job. And since the Hunter comes in four colors – black, gray, FDE and OD green – a camo job is simplified.
If you’re looking to update the Remington 700 you can’t go wrong with the Hunter stock and mag kit from Magpul. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, which is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.