A rifle’s stock or chassis is a key factor in precision. If it isn’t well fitted or bedded, your rifle won’t reach its full potential.
My Savage Model 10FCP-SR wasn’t shooting as well as I had hoped. Over the course of firing 17 different 5-shot groups, with 12 different loads using 5 different bullets, group size averaged 1.825″ (1.743 MOA) at 100 yards (all shooting was conducted prone, from a bipod with a rear bag). I was particularly concerned about the rifle’s performance with my two standard benchmark loads, Federal 168 and 175 grain Gold Medal match ammunition, 2.144″ (2.048 MOA). Looking at the vertical stringing in some of my groups, I suspected the factory stock was contributing to the poor performance.
Below, table with Gold Medal results.
Note: The muzzle velocity data shown in this table, and the table at the end of this post were generated with 15-shot groups from the test rifle and are shown to show representative velocities for the loads.
The initial test target. The 168-grain Gold Medal groups are in the top row, the 175-grain groups are shown on the bottom row.
As you can see in the image above, the rifle was equipped with an excellent optic (Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56mm) and mount (SPUHR). The factory stock, Savage’s Accustock, seemed to be the weak link of the system.
The Accustock (above) had an aluminum bedding block inserted into an injection molded shell. This is an attempt to simulate the characteristics of a all metal chassis system.
I contacted Modular Driven Technologies (MDT) and ordered a one of their LSS chassis. I’ve been using MDT chassis systems for years. From humble beginnings with one product, the TAC21 chassis system, MDT has increased their product line to include four different chassis systems, proprietary magazines, and numerous other rifle accessories that are available to shooters and provided as original equipment by major firearms manufacturers.
The LSS is a simple and inexpensive chassis system that allows the use of any AR-15 collapsible butt stock (or fixed style with adapter) and pistol grip. The chassis’s magazine system uses AICS style magazines, a solid upgrade from proprietary magazine Savage provided with my Model 10 FCP-SR.
While I am unfamiliar with the LSS on a Savage, I’m familiar with it on other systems. I’ll often use it on Remington 700s and Model Sevens during testing and evaluation. I find it gives you everything you need; modularity, AICS-style detachable magazine system, light-weight, solid accuracy, at a reasonable price point.
Installation of the LSS is a snap. Prior to installation of the barreled action, the grip and stock needed to be installed- both just screw on. To install the barreled action, I cleared the rifle, removed the two actions screws to remove the stock, drop the barreled action in the LSS and tighten the two action screws MDT provided. Done. So simple, I installed this one at the range on my shooting mat.
The body of the LSS is constructed of solid aluminum. It comes in either black or FDE Cerakote. I selected FDE.
I equipped my LSS with the following items from Brownells:
The rifle looks great now and the ergonomics are familiar to anyone accustomed to the AR-15/M16 M4 platform.
The upgrade to an AICS style magazine is a big plus for this system. I wasn’t a fan of the factory detachable magazine system included with the Savage. During testing the magazine release was easy to access and it fed well.
The most important question is how well does the LSS make the rifle shoot? Using Federal Gold Medal 168 and 175 -grain ammunition, I immediately saw improved results.
The best group fired (above) in from my Savage Model 10 FCP-SR was with the MDT LSS and 168-grain Gold Medal (using the 168 grain Sierra MatchKing) ammunition, .517″ (.494MOA).
Unfortunately, I only had enough daylight to fire five groups with the LSS installed. The rifle averaged .947″ (.905MOA) with the same Gold Medal loads, from the same lot number (compared to2.144″ (2.048 MOA) with the factory stock). Everything else on the rifle was the same, range conditions were the same and the shooter was the same. The only thing that had changed was the chassis. The Modular Driven Technologies LSS resulted in a 56% reduction in group size! Note: I don’t cherry pick groups, I always display ALL of the data I collect, good and bad.
So what are my final thoughts on the MDT LSS for the Savage Model 10?
- MDT’s LSS significantly increased the accuracy of the test rifle, resulting in a 56% reduction in group size.
- The LSS is light, with a low profile design.
- Having the ability to use any folding AR-15/M16 M4 type collapsible stock (or rifle stock with adapter) allows for end users to customize the chassis to their specific use, and keep the system current as new stocks are brought onto the market.
- The AICS magazine system works well in the LSS chassis.
If you were thinking of customizing your Savage rifle, the MDT LSS may be just what you are looking for.
To learn more about the Modular Driven Technologies and the LSS, visit their website here.
To purchase a MDT LSS, visit Brownells.
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