I keep liking the looks and feel of the renegade, game warden,ect ect. But not al my shooting is prone at steel. I hunt in the mountains too. Currently considering replacing Christiansen Arms stock..thought? GO!

Vertical grip stocks provide a better platform for better ergonomics, which provide for better trigger control.

Vertical grip stocks are all I use for all rifles.

Canted grip stocks were originally made out of wood. Couldn't cross the grain on the wood, and still be strong with a vertical grip. We are past that. Canted grip was better for the lumber, vertical grip is better for the shooter. Eugene Stoner got this, McMillan got this, Tom Manners got this. Canted and straight grip belong on lever actions in 2020.

Well said. I love telling how it is. So riddle me this. Why are they so damn expensive, but no resale. The cheapest I can fin is greyboe, and I have a like new christasen arms that weights as much as a mouse fart in the moon, it doesn’t sale?

I even run a damn near vertical on my patrol rifle.

It doesn't sell because Christensen rifles often shoot like chit. And people are figuring that out.

Manners and McMillan stocks resale for 80-90% of retail, I've bought several.

100% what he said.

I’m trying to do a budget rifle build on a Savage using the factory accustock. I really really hate that stock after having a vertical grip. I’ve got everything done except to load and shoot. It’s been in that state for over a month. I’m just not digging it and have been fiddling with my lever actions again.

Ok that’s a bit harsh man kinda proud of my new 300PRC

The CA Ridgeline stock isn't really lightweight-- it barely gets under 2lbs from the ones I've weighed. Have you taken yours off the rifle? I'd guess its 31-33oz... where most good McMillans and Manners with CF fills are running 25-28oz... a 1/4 to 1/2 lb savings... And they are MUCH more rigid.

As for the ergonomics-- I'm in the same boat-- I shoot a good bit from the prone or from bipod supported in a blind... but I hunt out west, spot and stalk or still hunt a good bit.

I've found a happy medium between a true vertical grip and a traditional swept back pistol grip...

The Manners MCS-T or the related stocks like their lightweight (shorter) EH-4... or even the AG Composites Altitude (sold by Mesa and Redhawk) which is a clone of the MCS-T

They will be lighter, more rigid, semi-vertical, mid-size palm swell... and worth every dang penny

Shoot a rifle with some actual recoil, you’ll change your tune. I will agree it’s better for positioning for trigger.

Your theory on why wood stocks can’t have vertical grips isn’t correct. Take an English/straight grip wood stock of proper grain flow and add a vertical grip to it. How does it now become weaker?
Grain flow grain flow grain flow.

If you want to understand how recoil forced are transferred to a stock look no further than a straight/English grip. Furthermore, I’ve repaired many a wood stock and seen failures, most wrist breaks ARE NOT from recoil, but from sideways forces. Of the wrist breaks I have seen from recoil, they actually started forward of the wrist in the inletting.

Actual recoil?

I've shot a very long list of cartridges from my shoulder, up to and including. 50 BMG. Some were heavy, some were medium weight, some were featherweight.

I made a vertical grip stock from scratch out of walnut, in a McMillan A-5 pattern. The vertical grip crossed 90° to the grain. So, I bored all the way through, made a 3/8" dowel threaded on each end, and squeezed a nut on each end. That's all covered by a grip plate on bottom and the tang on top. It's no pretty work of art like you make, but it is nice looking, and it has held together.

He’s talking about African big game calibers in a medium/light weight rifle without a muzzle break.

I don't understand the straight vertical grips like I have seen on some chassis rifles, my wrist doesn't bend that way naturally, they are very uncomfortable for me. The Grayboe stock I have is very comfortable, but the grip is slightly canted.

i'm with you doc. i shoot whatever stock came on the gun. i don't rest my thumb on the trigger finger side. my thumb is not that tired. i grab the stock like i'm about to do something athletic with it... pull the trigger and kill something.

Having broken both wrist, the vertical grip on chassis styles is more comfortable for me. Everybody is different though

Metal dowel? If so all you managed to do was pinpoint forces into a smaller area in front of the dowel instead of allowing it to spread out in a larger area. I haven’t shot a 50bmg, but I know many that have. One in particular has also managed to shoot some of the .500ne, .600ne, and .700ne builds I’ve done. On the 600 and 700 he said he preferred shooting the .50bmg with brake. For what it’s worth...

I like the vertical grip stocks
I have 4 different McMillans and even on the ultralight 7mm mag (Tikka superlight with carbon stock) I don't find them the least bit uncomfortable.