U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Grayboe is a relatively new name in the aftermarket stock world, having just celebrated its third birthday in June of 2019. The minds behind Grayboe however, are anything but inexperienced. Ryan McMillan (son of McMillan Firearms Manufacturing founder Kelly McMillan) has a pedigree most in the firearms world would envy. Not only did he grow up in the McMillan factory, surrounded by professional shooters from competitive and military walks, he also served in the US Navy as a SEAL. Although Grayboe started out as a wing of McMillan, it has since spun out on its own. It is still being operated by Ryan McMillan and co-founder Gregg Arthur, a Vietnam-era Marine Corps veteran and long-time businessman. With all that in mind, let’s take a quick look at the Grayboe Terrain.
The Grayboe Terrain is a “streamlined, minimalist” designed stock. The first major difference you’ll note is the (optional) use of a Detachable Magazine Bottom Metal (DBM). Upon closer inspection, you’ll likely see the two front studs, the three flush cups for QD sling attachment, or the Pachmayr Decelerator buttpad. What you won’t see are the aluminum pillars bedded into the stock. The Terrain packs in a lot of features, while still retaining much of the traditional form from the Remington 700 stocks of old. All of this is stuffed into the Terrain via Grayboe’s unique fiberglass injection molding techniques, which use a solid material rather than a fiberglass shell.
Besides the great features above, the Terrain is a sight for sore eyes to many who purchased the specific Remington model 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD. Many have found this to be a great (and inexpensive) bolt gun, accurate out-of-the-box, with only two real flaws. First, the recalled X-Mark trigger. Second, the Hogue stock. The stock is very comfortable, but that rubber flexes so much that the slightest pressure can make the forward end of the stock touch the barrel. Suppressor and bipod? Mine was touching. The Grayboe Terrain is much more rigid, though not much heavier. The comparison is 2 lbs 9.2 ounces for the Hogue, 2 lbs 10.7 ounces for the Terrain (both without bottom metal). Hogue’s bottom metal comes in .6 ounces heavier than Grayboe’s 4 ounce DBM, closing the small gap between the stocks to .0 ounces when bottom metals are accounted.
Let’s get the Remington 700 installed into the Terrain, then we’ll talk range results in the next article (after some AICS pattern mags arrive).
- Make sure the rifle is clear and the work area is clear of any of ammunition (obviously).
- Remove the bolt. Bolt release lever shown.
- Remove “extras”. Here’s my sling, bipod and butt-cuff, good for a slight cheek riser, with a pocket for holding small tools.
- Remove the trigger guard/BDL assembly. This is a good time to clean and inspect the underside of the action and barrel, which may not see the light of day often.
- If you still have a Reminton X-Mark trigger, remove and toss in the garbage. Drop in a Timney 510 and be happy.
- Slide the action into the stock.
- Slide the DBM into place.
- Using the screws Grayboe included, first apply a drop of blue Loctite, then install and snug the action screws (short screw in the front, long screw in the rear.). Hold the rifle vertically and bump the buttpad against the table a few times, ensuring the recoil lug is in full contact with the stock. Then torque the action screws to 45 in/lbs, Grayboe’s recommended spec. Reinstall the bolt, and run the action a few times to check if it’s binding. If it is, likely your action screws are too long. If not, you’re on the money.
- Once the Loctite has dried, you’re there! Bolt on your extras, get some AICS pattern mags and hit the range.
So far, I like the Terrain. It is comfortable and feels lighter in-hand than I expected. It is nice and stiff, with a much smaller amount of flex near the barrel than the plagued Hogue OEM stock. Both the rifle’s action and the DBM fit snugly in the terrain. Not tight, not loose, nice and snug. Everything looks straight and true with the action installed. The cheekpiece is comfortable, the length of pull is nice, and the Pachmayr Decelerator buttpad should be far more than ample for the recoil from my suppressed 190 gr handloads. The magazine release lever is huge, and should be easy to hit in a hurry. I’m excited to test this major upgrade to my Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD, and you can bet I’ll be back here to tell you how it goes. The Grayboe Terrain sells for $359-$384, with options for bottom metal, barrel width and long/short action.
About Rex Nanorum
Rex Nanorum is an Alaskan Expatriate living in Oregon with his wife and kids. Growing up on commercial fishing vessels, he found his next adventure with the 2nd Bn, 75th Ranger Regt. After 5 tours to Afghanistan and Iraq, he adventured about the west coast becoming a commercial fisheries and salvage SCUBA diver, rated helicopter pilot instructor (CFII) and personal trainer, before becoming a gear reviewer and writer.”