Can a budget-priced Savage shoot like a Sako TRG 22? Well, adding a custom “pre-fit” barrel and a state-of-the-art chassis system can transform a “Plain Jane” Savage into a serious tactical rifle. And now Kinetic Research Group (KRG) offers a new fully-adjustable chassis that’s just the ticket for a Savage tactical conversion. Just get a used Savage action, spin on a Criterion, Pac-Nor, or Shilen pre-fit barrel, and add the new 180-Alpha Chassis from KRG.

KRG offers 180-Alpha Chassis for Savage rifles. This fully-adjustable, light-weight (3.5 lbs) chassis fits Savage short action rifles with 4.4″ action bolt spacing. The 180-Alpha features tool-less cheek-piece height adjustment, spacer Length-of-Pull (LOP) adjustment, buttpad height adjustment, and plenty of accessory mounting positions. Suggested retail price for the 180-Alpha starts at $768.00 for the side bolt-release version. A bottom-release model is slightly more.

CLICK HERE for Specifications of KRG 180-Alpha Stock for Savages.

Compare KRG’s 180-Alpha Chassis to the hardware on the real deal — a Sako TRG 22 with adjustable, folding stock (model JRSM416, shown below). This SAKO TRG22 rifle in .308 Winchester retails for $5,198.00. With KRG’s 180-Alpha chassis you can put together an ergonomically-similar tactical rifle for thousands less.

Using the KRG Chassis, a take-off Savage action, and a premium pre-fit barrel, you can build a similar system for around $1540.00. Here’s how we get that figure: $370.00 for Criterion pre-fit barrel, $400.00 for action (YMMV), and $768.00 for stock (Total $1538.00).

KRG produces other adjustable, modular chassis systems for bolt-action rifles. KRG’s popular Whiskey 3 Chassis system fits the Tikka T3, Remington® 700™, Sako M995, Badger M2008, and 700 Long Action. The KRG X-RAY Chassis fits the Rem 700 Short Action, and Tikka T3, and the 180 X-RAY fits the CZ-455, Howa 1500, and Weatherby Vanguard platforms.

The new F1 Chassis System from Competition Machine is now in production. This straight-line, all-metal chassis with ultra-low bore axis is optimized for F-Class competition. Designer/builder Gary Eliseo tell us that Competition Machine is now accepting F1 Chassis orders for fall 2015 delivery. To order or if you have questions, email Gary via his website contact page.

Gary tells us: “The new F1 Chassis System, designed specifically for F-Open class, has already begun to rack up awards. The system has several innovations that make it an excellent choice for your next build.” F1 Chassis has many design features that improve tracking and tame torque effect:

Low COG — Super low rider fore-end keeps the center of gravity as low as possible

Long Wheelbase — The long separation from front of stock to rear bag-rider improves tracking and reduces the tendency to jump or twist (torque).

Adjustable Offset — The bag-rider section of the fore-end can be adjusted left to right. This adjustable horizontal offset allows you to choose if you want the fore-end offset left, right or center.

Adaptable to All Shooters — The F1 Chassis System features adjustable length of pull, buttplate drop, and cheekpiece height.

Unique Bonded Barrel Block™ System
Stress is the enemy of accuracy. For this reason the F1 Chassis system features a “zero stress” barrel mounting system which uses a barrel block securely bonded to the barrel (with an epoxy-type adhesive). This allows the action to float, relieving all stress from the threaded joint between the barrel and action and all flexing of the action. With this unique “floating action” design, the F1 chassis is compatible with ANY round rifle action. Replacement barrel blocks are available so you can run multiple barreled actions with your F1 chassis. When it’s time to replace the barrel, the barrel block can be “unbonded” and adapted to a new, same-diameter barrel.

Machinist/gunsmith Paul Fakenbridge (aka “Boltfluter” on our Shooters’ Forum) recently completed an interesting upgrade to his favorite 22BR varmint rig. This rifle, Paul’s “Rock Chuck Killing Machine”, was originally fitted with an HS Precision fiberglass stock. Now Paul’s 22 BR sports new hardware — a sleek new Eberlestock M2 Cobra Chassis in “Dry Earth” color. The $995.00 M2 Cobra is a one-piece metal stock system that mounts a Rem-700 type action in a V-block. The cheekpad height and LOP are adjustable via spacers. The M2 Cobra uses AICS-type mags and can fit Picatinny rails on the side.

Check out the “Before” and “After” photos below…

Boltfluter Likes His New Eberlestock M2 Cobra
Paul tells us the stock upgrade was a success: “I got the urge to try something different as far as stocks go. I went from the HS stock to an Eberlestock M2 Cobra. The vertical grip feels quite good and is very easy to shoot. And with this upgrade I finally got the chance to flute and coat my own bolt!”

Paul, who runs Pro Precision Rifles, specializes in bolt fluting and barrel fluting (and he also does bolt knobs, coatings, and other gunsmithing work). Here are some examples of his bolt fluting work:

Here are exclusive “Spy Shots” of a soon-to-be released project, the all-new F-Open chassis system from Competition Machine (Gary Eliseo). Dubbed the “F1″ stock by Gary, this radical new chassis system is designed expressly for F-Open competition. With a super-low Center of Gravity (COG), the F1 boasts many innovative features including an epoxy-lined barrel block that allows the action to float. The F1’s length-of-pull is adjustable for length while the buttpad holder adjusts for height.

The stock, which will work with any type of action, should sell for about the same price as a fully-adjustable fiberglass stock. Competition Machine hopes to start shipping F1 stocks in summer 2015.

The F1 stock will accept any action, long or short, right-hand or left-hand. The F1 is shown below with a Pierce magnum long action.

Gary Eliseo, designer of this new F-Open Chassis system explains:

“Our new F1 project is a complete departure from the tube-style chassis that we’re known for. I wanted to design a system specifically for the F-Open game that would incorporate state-of-the-art technologies. Free recoil has long been the preferred method in the benchrest world and many F-Class shooters have adopted it as well. The challenge has been taming the recoil and torque generated by the larger cartridges used by the F-Class shooter (such as .284 Win and 300 WSM). We have made the rifle’s center of gravity as low as possible and offset the fore-end so the rifle recoils straight back with minimal torque effects.”

Close-up frontal view shows off-set and ultra-low barrel position.

The F1 chassis has the lowest possible Center of Gravity — the barrel rides just .300″ over the front bag. This minimizes “hop” on firing and keeps the rearward force of recoil running in a straight line. Gary designed the gun with a very long “wheelbase”. He says “the distance between the fore-end and toe is greater that any other stock available”. This long wheelbase should help the rig resist torque. Gary explains: “Think of the fore-end to toe relationship as a torque arm; the greater the distance, the more torque resistance.” Even with its ultra-long wheelbase, the F1 sits no higher off the ground than any other rifle. This should be a comfortable stock to shoot, and an optional cheek-pad will be offered.

Barrel Is Secured by Epoxy inside Box-Style Aluminum Barrel Block.

Epoxy Barrel Block Mounting System
Gary decided to use a barrel block system for many important reasons. (Editor: Barrel blocks are used on Benchrest Rail Guns, the most accurate rifles ever made). Gary told us: “Stress in a rifle is the enemy of accuracy, that’s why I decided to use a barrel block mounting system. This allows the action to float with no weight on the barrel tenon. One potential problem of a barrel block is stress on the bore induced by conventional clamping caps. We’ve avoided that problem by using epoxy inside the block to secure the barrel. You’ll see there are no conventional clamping bolts. This also helps keep the weight down. The barrel block is an aluminum box that mounts in a V-channel machined into the chassis. The barrel is secured by a layer of epoxy between the steel barrel and the aluminum box. This makes it light and strong with no clamping stresses. Replacement barrel blocks will be available at a modest cost if the customer doesn’t want to remove the old one when it’s time for a new barrel.”

So, you may be asking, “when will this engineering marvel be available and how much will it cost”? Gary says: “Cost of the F1 stock/chassis, in any color finish the customer wants, will be about the same as any other high-end F-Class stock. We hope to have F1 stocks available this summer”.

F1 Chassis System Easily ‘Makes Weight’ Even with a Long Barrel
Gary notes: “Combining all these features into a package that meets the weight limit for an F-Open rig was a challenge, but the scale doesn’t lie. The F-Open max weight is 22 pounds. That means there’s over four (4) pounds left over on this rifle for scope and rings.”

CLICK IMAGE for Full-size Photo

GRS Aluminum Chassis Systems
Now GRS is moving into a new product area — developing an aluminum chassis system for long range applications. The first GRS metal stocks should be ready this month for European delivery (though it could take longer to export to USA). The new GRS metal chassis system will be offered for many popular actions:

Remington Short Action & Long Action
Sig Sauer SSG 3000/Sauer 200 STR
Howa Short Action & Long Action
Tikka T3

Initially, these stocks will be right-hand only, though a left-hand version may be offered in 2015. GRS has not yet released any pricing details for its aluminum chassis systems.

Excellent Video Shows How GRS Stocks Are Made — Plus Shooting in Norway

Product Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.