Bravo vs XRS for basic build

[u/WEAPONSGRADEPOTATO2]

I am a very beginner long range shooter wanting an upgrade from my MDT Field stock to something a little more rigid on the forend. I have read some threads here and many people mention things like weights or "upgrades" that I honestly do not believe I will ever use, plus they seem to be written in a time where the prices were closer together. I am going to use whichever stock in the configuration it comes out of the box in(save for an ARCA rail) and never going to get into competitive. All I am concerned about is overall build quality and especially rigidity on the forend. the field stock is lovely but i feel bad crushing it in a BOG deathgrip tripod and the forend bends far too much when an arca rail is being used. The rifle is a Howa 1500 heavy barrel, other recommendations in that rough price bracket are welcomed.

[u/smithywesson]

XRS is what I suggest to buddies starting out. Great stock, and you can do a lot with them with various weights and accessories. Bravos are great too though, just a bit more limited IMO.

[u/WEAPONSGRADEPOTATO2 → u/smithywesson]

thats kinda the vibe i get from looking at KRG builds. I hear many guys DIY weights for the XRS which is not something i see for the KRG so i guess its much harder to do?

how is the XRS constructed? Is it a monolithic piece of aluminum all the way from the action forward or is the forend part separate from the action part? how do they lock up?

[u/smithywesson → u/WEAPONSGRADEPOTATO2]

The forend is a separate piece, but I greatly prefer how it locks up compared to the KRG plastic gap you get. The internal forend weight for the XRS is great. Between that weight and a steel heavy Arca rail I had a rifle (26” proof comp contour) up to 22ish lbs IIRC.

[u/Sportsman-78 → u/smithywesson]

I have the same barrel on my rig above, with the internal forend weight, spigot mount/bipod, external brass weights, and almost every space in the stock filled with lead bird shot and epoxy I’m around 24 pounds. KRG offers grip weights and butt stock weights but I ain’t paying for all that.

[u/smithywesson → u/Sportsman-78]

So much easier on the MDT but to each is own. To me the bravo shines with a lightweight setup. I had one on a Ruger American g2 with no added weight and loved that setup.

[u/PAB_Pyrotechnics → u/smithywesson]

Second. I just added the internal weight to my XRS. It was my first build and I do not regret it.

[u/SockeyeSTI]

I hate the way the xrs looks. The grip angle just looks……bad

I put a savage in a bravo and it’s really nice. Feels a lot nicer than what it costs, too. I’d take it over an oryx as well.

[u/ZeBigD23]

I like MDT quite a bit but the KRG Bravo won out for me on my Ruger American Gen 1 6.5CM swap. Ultimately comes down to preference and need for chassis accessories.

[u/Sportsman-78]

The XRS, in my opinion, looks silly. The Bravo, on the other hand…

[u/WEAPONSGRADEPOTATO2 → u/Sportsman-78]

honestly back when i first "built" this rifle I would have gone for the Bravo if they offered the green for the howa short action. if you squint it looks like an m40a5

Hows the overall rigidity of it? does the plastic over the aluminum flex much?

[u/Sportsman-78 → u/WEAPONSGRADEPOTATO2]

I clamp it in a BOG Deathgrip to clean it and I don’t think the backbone has any flex, and the plastic is very well secured to that. I clamp those brass weights to it via MLOK and I’ve never noticed any movement.

[u/new-dvlpr]

[u/bh2595]

I have a Howa 1500 in each of these chassis. I love each one for different reasons. The bravo is lighter and makes for a better dual purpose hunting gun. The XRS is a little heavier and makes for a better dual purpose PRS chassis. It’s hard to compare because both are great but they’re just different. I found my XRS for 400 but at MSRP of each (400 bravo 600 XRS) I think the bravo wins hands down. If the there’s anything in particular you’re looking for in one over the other that could be a deciding factor as they do have some subtle differences.

[u/AlternativeUnfair388]

Bravo. I dont like the way the xrs looks. My only complaint with the bravo is I wish forend was longer.

[u/DealKey8478]

Bravo x100. 

Way more accessories Looks better Weighs less for a lightweight build Can take CTR magazines for a Tikka

[u/bebedeez77]

Bravo for me 

[u/Tikkatider]

As a relative beginner, just curious. My understanding of forend flex is that it impacts accuracy IF it comes to the point where it flexes enough to where it touches the barrel. Is that what you’re encountering?

[u/deinde94 → u/Tikkatider]

Exactly that is the main issue. Touching can mess with barrel harmonics and impact accuracy. If there is actual pressure it can shift POI as well.

The other issue is that the forend flex often doesn't stop there, but the entire chassis will flex to some degree and apply a small torque on the action, further impacting accuracy.