Recently, there has been a push to integrating precision rifle ergonomics into hunting weight systems. New materials and a burgeoning aftermarket has led to the development of ultra lightweight chassis options for precision hunting rifles. One of the most cutting edge of these new chassis is the MDT HNT26. Let’s dive in to whether this chassis is worth its exorbitant price.
Benefits of a Chassis
First of all, a chassis system has several benefits over a standard stock. The most commonly cited benefit is the adjustability. The MDT HNT26 achieves this with an adjustable cheekpiece and a shim system to set length of pull. Another advantage of chassis is the ability to easily add and remove weight. For hunting usually lighter is better. However, this can still be useful if using a rifle for hunting as well as NRL Hunter matches.
Thirdly, a chassis can give you a more compact package. The MDT HNT26 has a folding stock option. This is excellent for times when the rifle is on your pack and does not need to be instantly available. The bottom of the rifle is above the bottom of the pack, avoiding snags on brush. Additionally, this feature makes the pack easier to take off and put down for water and food breaks. This is a welcome convenience during the pack in to treeline on high mountain hunts.
Features
The HNT26 is a full featured chassis built out of magnesium and carbon fiber. The model I’ve worked with has an integrated full length ARCA rail, an MLOK forend, folding stock, and adjustable cheekpiece and LOP. The HNT26 earned it’s name because the base model is only 26oz. However, as configured mine weighed 31oz, which is still incredibly light for a chassis.
Strengths
After the better part of a year with the HNT26, there are aspects I really love about it as well as a few gripes. One of my favourite parts of the HNT26 is the magazine release. The HNT26 uses common AICS magazines. Unlike most bottom metal, MDT has integrated the magazine release into the trigger guard. This prevents the release from catching and releasing the magazine. Another benefit is that the release is easily actuated by the trigger finger without breaking your grip.
The pistol grip on the MDT is made of carbon fiber, and is not as vertical as competition chassis or vertical grip stocks. At first it felt odd, but after putting some rounds downrange it grew on me and I don’t mind it. Those who want a true vertical grip can purchase one from MDT as the grips are interchangeable.
Also, the folding stock mechanism on the HNT26 is excellent. The rifle deploys quickly while not unfolding on itself in the field. When open, the lockup is rock solid with absolutely no flex or play. The locking interface is made of metal and I’ve observed no signs of wear.
Weaknesses
During my use of the HNT26, I did notice a few drawbacks, although none were serious. First of all, the integrated ARCA rail is made of carbon fiber and is visibly scuffed from being clamped into bipods and tripods. This hasn’t caused any functional issues but makes me leery that some may arise with enough use.
Another feature I would like added is more MLOK slots on the side of the forend. This would give more options to add and remove weight making this chassis ideal for NRL hunter as well as hunting. In addition to the MLOK slots the chassis should come with a better recoil pad. The pad provided with the stock is not very soft. A premium chassis deserves a top shelf recoil pad like a Pachmyar, and the included one falls short.
Finally, perhaps the biggest drawback to the HNT26 is the price. At $2000 CAD for a fully featured chassis, this is one of the most expensive stocks on the market. This is well above the cost of many complete factory hunting rifles.
Competitive Options
The top competitive option to the MDT HNT26 is the XLR Element. Fully featured, both the XLR and the MDT will come in at nearly identical weights and prices. However, the XLR comes as a series of parts, allowing variability in the final configuration.
Unlike the HNT26, which is made mostly of carbon fiber, the XLR is almost entirely magnesium. The XLR also has more options for adding weights and swapping grips and buttstocks. As such, the XLR is more modular than the HNT26. On the other hand, the carbon fiber of the HNT26 is much more comfortable to hold in the frigid weather that accompanies hunting season whereas the XLR can quickly chill your hands and be onerous to carry. Both the MDT and the XLR can straddle the line between hunting and competition, with the MDT being more at home in the woods and the XLR being better at a match.
While not a direct competitor there are also a number of stock/chassis hybrids on the market at much lower price points. While a KRG Bravo or an MDT Field Stock is 1.5 lbs heavier and doesn’t fold, they are a quarter of the price. Whether the weight difference is worth is depends on the hunter.
Closing Thoughts
The MDT HNT26 is an incredibly expensive chassis for shooters that require both precision features and light weight. There are traditional stocks that are lighter, but they lack the features and flexibility of the HNT26. That is why the HNT26 is one of the best option on the market for a rifle that can do double duty as a match rifle and an ultralight mountain rifle.