Thread: Chassis for hunting, why are they not more common in nz?

Really interested into why chassis don’t get as much favor in NZ as they do in the USA.

What’s the reason?

Is it simply that a classic looking stock still holds the most appeal?

For a lightweight alpine rifle, a carbon stock in a standard Hunter profile does what it needs?

Chassis too tacticool? Or seen as a range rifle?

Typical chassis just weigh more than your comparative Hunter stock?

The XLR models, especially the folders get used widely in the USA by backpack hunters.


They offer a tonne of adjustment to get fitting right. I’ve seen a few MDT at ranges but not with hunters?


Or does the AG style Hunter adjustable style just have the widest appeal?



What are you using and what made the decision so?

Kiwis are obsessed with weight and the majority of chassis make bolt actions heavy as fuck. There are exceptions.

Originally Posted by Beavis

Kiwis are obsessed with weight and the majority of chassis make bolt actions heavy as fuck. There are exceptions.

not only that a pistol grip digging into your spine when slung gets old pretty quick when walking

Originally Posted by Beavis

Kiwis are obsessed with weight and the majority of chassis make bolt actions heavy as fuck. There are exceptions.

And they are cold to hang on to.

Possibly stateside more hunters aren't focused on weight they do less mobile methods such as hides and tree stands and drive their hunting block.

Too many sticky outy bits.

Originally Posted by johnd

Possibly stateside more hunters aren't focused on weight they do less mobile methods such as hides and tree stands and drive their hunting block.

Light to US hunter apparently is less than 10-12lbs!!

ugly ugly ugly - to many bits to clean - to many bits to catch on scrub - heavy - awkward to carry - dont handle that well - end of story

Chassis’s generally heavier, too many bits that catch vegetation and pistol grips are impractical as fck for fast follow up shots with bolt action.

I have never found a chassie that fit me that well, i know some people shoot great with them but i am not one of them

Have a dpt hunter chassis on the 308. Agree with all of the above, great on the range or taking for short walks on good tracks (add a can and a bipod and they really aren't bush lawyer supplejack friendly) They suck in the cold as you need gloves to touch the bloody frozen thing in the mornings.

On one USA Gun Forum I’m a member on there is a thread where everyone is talking about a guys “ new build “
The thread is titled “ my new lightweight hunting rifle “
The rifle fully loaded, ready to go weighs 10 pounds .
He is as happy as Larry because that’s nearly 4 pounds lighter than his old rifle .
They all seem to have aspirations of shooting Elk at very extended ranges and although it’s not really ever mentioned, I suspect they drive there in a buggy , walk maybe 300m and sit and shoot .
I tried a Chassis on my Tikka and it lasted about 2 range sessions and it never got carried in the field because every aspect of the ergonomics and weight was just wrong for me .

Agree most comments above.
I had to wrap any cold and noisy alloy parts in tape to make it more user friendly for NZ style hunting.

I'll elaborate I bit on my previous statement

Most chassis designs are geared towards competition shooting, shooting off of props etc. Weight is generally your friend in this game. This doesn't translate well at all for hunting when you take a steel barreled action, and then bolt it into a 1-2-3kg aluminum chassis. Then put on a suppressor and scope.

Exceptions to this are the magnesium and carbon fibre based chassis, to some extent the minimalistic aluminum ones. You can put together very light rifles with these, especially if it is a light rifle to begin with eg Howa Mini. The Christensen Arms MPR is an example of a very manageable factory chassis gun, if you are sensible with accessories. On paper they are heavier than most traditional style rifles, but feel good in the hand.

I tend to disagree with the points around pistol grips and snag points. I hunted with AR rifles for years, which have more or less the same form factor as most chassis set ups. Never had anymore issues than I had with anything else for carting around the bush. I still hunt with a straight pull approximation. The difference is the "chassis" is the receiver, so you immediately save weight by ditching a good chunk of steel.

because wood and steel is just plain old sexy....... why would you want a blow up rubber doll when you could have the real deal instead,soft curvy ,warm to touch.....