Top Chassis Hunting Rifles

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Chassis stocks began as upgrades for bolt-action rifles set in traditional wood and not-so-traditional synthetic stocks. The connotation involving a chassis was as an accuracy enhancement for DYI gun owners. A chassis is an all-in-one assembly that combines buttstock, magazine well for detachable magazines, triggerguard and forend all into a single component. The goal is to eliminate tolerance deviations, which robs accuracy.

Significantly, a chassis dispenses with the need to “bed” the action into a stock. The bedding of a barrel/receiver properly is an “art.” It’s not a simple process due to the nature of the handwork. In comparison, chassis stocks use pillars and other bedding techniques to secure a barreled action. Manufacturers caught on and began offering chassis-based rifles direct from the factory.

When the benchrest crowd initiated using all metal chassis to support the barrel and receiver in their unending quest for accuracy, chassis were behemoth metal creations confined to sitting on a bench.  Chassis rifles eventually compressed in size to a point where feasible for hunters and just not competitive shooters. Heck, even “lightweight” chassis rifles are now beginning to peek their head up in the market, taking advantage of CNC technology and materials that were unheard of even a few years ago. Below is a list of factory chassis rifle options.

Ruger Precision Rifle

The Ruger Precision Rifle arrives with many notable features including a fully adjustable foldable MSR rear stock, threaded muzzle, full-length Picatinny rail running over the upper receiver out to the end of the forend and Ruger’s Marksman Adjustable (2.25-5 pounds) trigger. The Precision Rifle’s lower magazine well is machined from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminum Type III hardcoat anodized for maximum durability. The upper receiver and bolt are CNC-machined from pre-hardened 4140 chrome-moly steel. The upper receiver has an integral 20-MOA Picatinny rail secured with four, #8-40 screws for increased long-range elevation capabilities.

The Ruger Precision has chosen a different path from a pure chassis system that seems to be gaining in popularity. The Ruger Precision is more “AR” like in the way it eliminates typical bolt-action stock setup. The AR influence is hard to escape for any rifle nowadays—even bolt actions. The Precision Rifle’s barrel can be changed using techniques and tools common with AR15 rifles. As with the buttstock, most AR-style forends can be used with the Ruger Precision.  The Precision Rifle utilizes a linear in-line recoil path to maximize accuracy potential by directing unwanted movement and vibration straight back into the buttstock. This minimizes impact on barrel harmonics when the rifle is fired; the key here is consistency during the firing impulse. MSRP: $1,999-$2,629 | ruger.com

Christensen Arms Modern Precision Rifle (MPR)

The Christensen MPR is a no-nonsense precision rifle. Christensen chose to use a chassis to house the MPR’s receiver and support the 26-inch barrel. It combines carbon fiber in the right places with a rigid hardcoat anodized 7075 billet aluminum frame. The whole chassis weighs only 3.5 pounds and features a side folding buttstock for ease of transport. The stock is held in place when folded via well-placed magnets, eliminating the need for hooks or other snag-inducing catches.

The chassis offers a rock-solid backbone to the MPR conducive to long-range shooting. The chassis reinforces the receiver like a sleeved bench rest rifle. The flat carbon-fiber forend handles bipods or sandbags with equal aplomb. However, it is not exclusively designed for shooting from the supported prone or bench position. The MPR allows for offhand and other types of supported fire if needed. Unlike most chassis rifles, especially magnums featuring 26-inch barrels, it is not a large leap imagination to consider using the Christensen afield from hunting positions.

With the MPR, Christensen Arms is balancing accuracy, weight and enhanced cartridge capability. The MPR’s distinctive aesthetics immediately says that this is not an ordinary rifle. The Christensen bolt action is constructed of high-strength 17-4 stainless steel, making it 1.5 times stronger than most receivers. Extraction is accomplished by a M16-style extractor. Double ejectors are found on the bolt face. The Christensen bolt is conducive to long-range accuracy due to its extremely stiff design/rigid design and high-quality control during manufacturing. The bolt is Nitride coated at 70 HRC for extreme wear protection. The MPR receiver has integrated a 20-MOA Picatinny rail for stable scope mounting. MSRP: Starting at $2,199 | christensenarms.com

Savage Arms Axis II Precision

The Savage Axis II Precision is a perfect example of what a chassis rifle offers. Savage Arms collaborated with Modular Driven Technologies (MDT) by mounting their reasonably priced AXIS action in an MDT aluminum chassis that also features injection-molded polymer skins. The length of pull and comb height is adjustable. With the MDT chassis, the Savage Axis II action is magazine fed from AICS-pattern detachable magazines.

The Savage AccuTrigger is a huge part of the Savage accuracy equation. A rifle’s trigger is the interface between shooter and rifle. The AccuTrigger stems from Savage’s desire to give the shooter a proper trigger that is crisp, creep-free and fully adjustable between 1.5 and 6 pounds, yet totally safe from firing if jarred or dropped. Without going into minutia, the AccuTrigger’s distinctive release lever (AccuRelease) in front of the trigger proper is the secret to maintaining minimal trigger weight, without creep, while keeping the system safe. The Savage Axis II Precision is equipped with one of the finest triggers on the market.

The Savage Axis II Precision offers chassis accuracy and style at an affordable price. You get a lot of performance with the Axis II. The desirable characteristics for a bolt-action chassis rifle are cold bore zero retention, repeatable accuracy, extended effective range and rugged durability. The Savage Axis II delivers. MSRP: $1,079 | savagearms.com

Bergara Premier MgMicro Lite

This is the golden age for enhancing established firearms further than what was originally thought possible only a few years back. This is in large part due to the rise of CNC machines and other cutting-edge manufacturing techniques. The Bergara Premier MgMicro Lite is an excellent case in point. The MgMicro Lite is no “plug and play” creation relying solely on installing an action into a chassis and calling it good. Bergara has gone all out with ultralight magnesium micro chassis combined with CURE carbon barrel along with folding carbon buttstock to show what a chassis rifle can be for hunters.  We are talking sub-6 pounds while still being chambered for 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, and 6.5 PRC hunting calibers.

The Bergara Premier Action used in the MgMicro Lite is built in their Georgia facility. The company tests every Premier rifle before it leaves its shop. Bergara offers a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee with the MgMicro Lite. The Bergara Premier Action shares the Remington 700’s footprint, making it compatible with a plethora of Model 700 aftermarket triggers and other accessories. For example, the MgMicro Lite features TriggerTech’s Frictionless Release Technology that increases performance and accuracy for the end-user by eliminating creep and heavy pull weights. The BPA action features spiral fluting to minimize binding even when dirty, a floating bolt head (ensuring perfect alignment to the receiver), a stationary gas shield and a sliding plate-style extractor. Despite its relatively new appearance in the marketplace, the Bergara MgMicro Lite holds its own in every evaluation category for hunting rifles while also redefining what is expected from a chassis rifle. MSRP: $3,099-$3,149 | Bergara.online/us/

Aero Precision Solus Competition Rifle

One of the best-kept secrets in the way of precision bolt-action rifles is Aero Precision. At the heart of the Solus Competition is its short action that’s machined from 416 stainless steel billet. As expected, this is done in-house at Aero Precision. An integral recoil lug and Picatinny rail for optics mounting is part of the action. The proprietary Solus action follows the Remington 700 pattern, opening up a plethora of aftermarket accessories.

Aero Precision makes the Solus chassis in-house. A high focus on general ergonomics and adjustability ensures chassis fitment goes smoothly. Modularity and ability to adjust to an individual shooter is another critical component of the Solus chassis with its seven-position adjustable length of pull, adjustable cheek comb, adjustable cant recoil pad and five integral QD sling sockets. Solus chassis uses a V-block bedding system to ensure consistent lockup among different actions. MSRP: $2,210 | aeroprecisionusa.com

Howa APC Chassis Rifle

Howa’s previous affiliations with Weatherby, Mossberg and Smith & Wesson offer credibility to their Howa 1500 action rifles. Howa’s great accuracy to price point is an enviable reputation to have. The Howa APC Chassis rifle uses an Australian Precision Rifle (APC) aluminum chassis with M-Lok slots machined out of the free-floating handguard.

A Hogue overmolded pistol grip and Luth-AR MBA-4 Buttstock are featured on the Howa APC as well. Multiple Cerakote and hydro-dipped patterns are available including the American flag along with barrels with options of 24-inch and 16.25-inch barrels. Calibers are .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor.

The Howa APC Chassis rifle further separates itself from the competition by coming as a complete kit. The rifle arrives with Nikko Stirling Diamond LR 30mm optic installed on 20-MOA canted rail, custom Cerakote finish, threaded-on muzzle brake, bipod and a 10-round magazine. MSRP: $1,599 | howausa.com

Savage 110 Precision

It is nice to see a product evolve. The Savage 110 Precision bolt action is a great example. Even a cursory glance at the 110 Precision will cue you that something special is at hand. The 110 Precision has taken the Savage concept of the bolt-action rifle another step forward. Many notable features set the Precision apart from its Savage 110 rifle brothers/sisters. The most notable being the MDT LSS XL Chassis with FDE Cerakote skeletonized stock. The MDT chassis offers adjustable comb height and length of pull and is fed by a 10-round AICS magazine. The noteworthy Savage 1.5 4-pound user-adjustable AccuTrigger is present on the 110 Precision.

Misunderstanding surrounds the Savage bolt action, most attributed to ill-informed conjecture regarding the floating bolt head design and barrel nut arrangement. Many critics mistakenly label the Savage floating bolt head and barrel nut arrangement as strictly cost-saving measures; it is better understood as an ingenious alternative method of producing accuracy without spending undo time and money on tedious quality hand fitting in this age of CNC machines.

All of the positive attributes listed above are further reinforced with the 110 Precision due to its action being factory blueprinted. What does this mean? For maximum accuracy, a barreled action should have a receiver with a bolt hole that is dead straight and centered in the receiver body. The axis of this hole becomes the reference axis with which the chamber, bore and barrel threads are perfectly aligned and to which the barrel shoulder, receiver face, locking lug seats, bolt lugs and breechface should be exactly perpendicular. The 110 Precision gets extra attention from Savage QC double checking and re-machining/re-aligning its receiver/barrel to the tightest dimensions. The benefit is that all parts are square and true to one another, i.e. action, receiver, stock, barrel, etc.  This ensures consistency which equates to increased accuracy. MSRP: $1,699 | savagearms.com

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