Is the made to measure stock also convincing for rifles? In the summer of 2016, some experienced hunting journalists in Suhl undertook an experiment: they wanted to find out whether they could shoot better and faster with a custom-made stock than with a standard one. The international group was surprised by the results and shortly afterwards published their experiences in the European hunting press. The tenor: a perfectly fitting rifle stock shortens the time to the shot by about a third. This time saving can then be used for aiming and shooting and has a direct effect on hunting success. Haenel’s product managers had this in mind when they developed the dynamic stock concept that now characterises the new Jaeger NXT Composite.

Composite approaches the dimensional stock

When hunters think of a custom stock, they think of wood, and from now on they will also think of NXT Composite. The “custom stocking” is done by the shooter himself – it is done in several steps. The stock length is optimised at home before the hunt. Depending on the arm length or the thickness of the clothing, optional stock caps are inserted without tools, to shorten the stock by 7 millimeters or lengthen it by 5 millimeters.

The second step is to adjust the dynamic cheekpiece of the stock to the line of sight. This is done on the hunt at the touch of a button to match the alignment of the rifle scope, driven hunt red-dot sight or for tracking via iron sight. Adjustment is quick and easy at the touch of a button. This solution allows the height to be adjusted even while looking through the aiming axis, considerably reducing the time spent on trial and error. The button on the right side triggers the sprung stock extension in short graduations. The advantage for the shooter is the optimal positioning of the cheek-piece: this ensures a faster aim at the target, giving the hunter added shot time. This suits this hand-cocking, straight-pull repeater very well. The Jaeger NXT has a preference for driven hunts, where its ergonomic qualities are an advantage. But its light weight is also more than suitable for active stalking.

Forearm for a good grip

Haenel has also invested in the ergonomics of the forearm: A grooved grip for the fingers combined with the injected soft-touch inserts for the palms and a conical fore-end cut ensure a positively secure grip. No matter where the shooter intuitively grips, the forearm provides optimal support for all hand sizes to mount the rifle into the shoulder. In the lower area, the synthetic stock has been additionally reinforced to allow for a system-open extension, e.g. for a bipod adapter or Picatinny rails. Various mounts can be securely screwed in, which is not always the case with other plastic stocks.

Pistol grip optimised for kickdown chambering

It was also crucial to optimally adapt the stock with its steep pistol grip to the kickdown chamber grip of the Jaeger NXT. This is because this control element is of central importance in the torsion lock developed for this rifle, as it is both a manual cocking device and a chamber rod for repeating. Ergonomics are important here for instinctively smooth operation.

Up to 70 percent of hunting rifles in the mid-price range are now sold with a synthetic stock, because hunters appreciate its robustness and ease of care. But there is a world of difference between a simple plastic stock and a well thought-out design when it comes to ergonomics and being user-friendly. “We wanted to make a real statement in this price segment with our dynamic stock solution,” says Jean Freyeisen, Sales and Marketing Manager at Haenel.

The Jaeger NXT with composite stock weighs 3.1 kilograms and is available at launch in .30-06 Spring. and .308 Win. calibres.