Long Range Only Shakes Out The MDT CRBN Rifle Stock!

The MDT CRBN has taken the world by storm. I've heard rumors that it is the best carbon fiber stock on the market (so what if I'm spreading the rumor?). But don't just take my word for it; see what others are saying. In a recent video, Ryan from Long Range Only takes a close look at the MDT CRBN Stock to see whether it lives up to its reputation as a lightweight, long-range hunting stock. After spending considerable time shooting with it, Ryan has a strong opinion: among commercially available stocks for a custom build, the CRBN is the best he has used. But why? Let's find out together.

Lightweight, But Feature-Rich

The CRBN uses a carbon construction and weighs approximately 27 ounces without bottom metal. With MDT's Hunter bottom metal, it weighs roughly 30 ounces, and with the Competition bottom metal, it weighs 31 ounces. Ryan particularly likes the M5 inlet, arguing that it offers considerably more flexibility than a traditional Remington BDL inlet. The Competition bottom metal also provides magazine-height adjustment, allowing the shooter to tune feeding and magazine fit. Other features include an adjustable cheek piece, adjustable length of pull, flush cups on both sides, and a full-length ARCA rail along the forend. This is a feature-rich package.

The Shooter Interface

For Ryan, the most important part of a rifle stock isn't the cheek weld or how it looks. It's the way the shooter's hand interfaces with the trigger. He favors a neutral hand position that doesn't encourage the shooter to grip the rifle tightly, and he believes the CRBN gets this part right.

The stock incorporates a thumb shelf, giving the shooter a consistent place to position the hand and finger. Ryan finds this lets him maintain a relaxed grip while still getting a clean and consistent trigger pull. He also likes the rear toe angle, particularly when combined with a rear bag. Rather than constantly adjusting bipod height during a surprise hunting shot, the rifle can be raised or lowered quickly by manipulating the bag.

Built For The Real World

Although the CRBN is designed primarily as a lightweight hunting stock, Ryan has this rifle configured more like a target rifle, including a heavier barrel. Even so, he believes the stock's design translates well to hunting. The barrel channel is intended to accommodate a Proof Sendero-style contour and should fit most carbon barrels without resorting to an extremely large straight-taper profile.

The stock also uses a 700 footprint in Ryan's setup, and although it isn't bedded, the rifle shoots extremely well. More importantly, the CRBN provides the combination Ryan considers most important in a long-range hunting rifle: low weight, adjustability, a useful rear profile, and a hand position that promotes consistent trigger control.

Final Thoughts

At roughly 27 ounces before the bottom metal, the MDT offers a useful combination of weight and functionality without sacrificing the shooter interface. For anyone putting together a lightweight hunting rifle, Ryan believes the MDT CRBN deserves a serious look. For more videos like this, check out the Long Range Only YouTube channel.