KRG Bravo Stock

I was sent a KRG Bravo replacement stock for a short action Howa 1500 by UK importers Highland Outdoors. It offers a chassis system with a machined, full length aluminium ‘backbone’, complete with trigger guard and magazine retention system. A radius bedding system is CNCmachined into it for consistent contact between action and chassis. Essentially, this is a precisely cut action void integral to a rigid, U-section inner, zero-flex forend that includes a floating recoil lug.

Two part stock

Unusually, the outer furniture is in two parts; made of a hi-strength polymer material, the forend forms the front sides of the mag well and screws to the underside of the backbone. The rear/butt section is similar to a McMillan A3, with a squared off and tall shape and near vertical, handfilling pistol grip with textured sides, plus a height-adjustable comb and spacer length of pull (LOP) with thick rubber recoil pad. Underneath, is provision for a section of Picatinny rail for a monopod, alternately bag riders. A section can be removed to offer a gripping hook, a separate cover is available. Up front, are M-Lok slots for accessories and the ability to fit a spigot bipod adaptor in the nose. A QD sling stud is fitted.

Feed is from 5 or 10-round AICS magazines or compatible-types (not included), Highland supplied an AccurateMag version. The polymer (outer) forend is secured by six, vertical bolts, which gives the rifle an odd look as there’s a slight gap where it meets the butt section. There’s only one screw, at the rear that holds the stock to the chassis, with the action screws providing the main security. The front one comes ready fitted to the recoil lug stop and a longer one for the rear is also included.

It works

The job is easy, but you’ll need a torque wrench in inch pounds. First, slacken off the screw at the rear of the backbone, then drop the barrelled action on and just engage the front screw into the underside of the recoil lug. Insert the rear and, in sequence, draw down the two together and tighten to 65 inch lbs. With that done, tighten the one at the rear of the backbone to 45 inch pounds. Then fit the magazine and check for feed; it’s possible to move the forend and trigger guard slightly to set it up. Mine went straight in and fed without problems.

The LOP adjustment includes three spacers and, with the recoil pad, gives 14”, it felt a tad short for me and would like at least one more. The biggest pain was fitting the Picatinny rail under the butt, as there’s little space inside to get the keeper nuts in and I had to improvise a tool. However, whinge over, as the action was as 100% rigid and true and the free-float generous with ZERO barrel contact, just the action fully secured. It feels good in the shoulder, offering a great finger position and support. So, you can be assured of a good launch platform.