For this review, we dropped a stainless Remington 700 long action in .270 into the new Boyds DEADSET stock. I’ve used plenty of Boyds stocks over the years, but this one stood out right away. It’s built around an aluminum bedding chassis with a laminate exterior, which gives it the strength of a metal chassis while still keeping the warm, familiar feel of wood. This setup is intended to tighten groups, improve consistency, and make the rifle more comfortable. Due to time constraints, we only tested two of the three. But the stock still delivered.
First Impressions and Installation of the Boyds DEADSET Stock
Out of the box, the DEADSET stock looked clean and well-finished. Boyds usually nails their inletting, and the aluminum bedding insert doubles down on that. After confirming the rifle was clear, I pulled the barreled action and set it into the new stock. It dropped into the machined aluminum pocket perfectly, as expected. Meanwhile, I struggled a bit with the spring and floorplate, but that’s not a reflection on Boyds.
Once the action screws were torqued to spec (and not “gorilla tight”), everything sat exactly where it should. No stress, no gaps, and no shifting when I pressed down on the barrel and receiver. It had that solid, planted feel you normally get only after a bedding job, but with far less effort. For anyone hesitant about stock swaps, this is as easy as it gets.
Design, Adjustability, and Handling
The Sky Blue laminate strikes a good balance – it’s modern without looking loud. Boyds stocks often walk that line well, and this one is no exception. Paired with the matte stainless finish of the rifle, it’s a much better look than when it left the factory. The grip angle feels natural whether you’re on a bench or shooting standing, and the forend is wide enough for stability without being bulky.
The adjustable length of pull is easy to dial in. No tools required, and once set, it stays put. That’s going to be nice for summer shooting in a t-shirt, or cold-weather hunting in a heavy coat. Laminate stocks tend to be more stable through temperature swings, and paired with the internal chassis, this setup should have no issues holding zero year-round as well.
Range Performance of the Boyds DEADSET Stock
This is where things sort of fell apart. We had plans to shoot some groups before and after the stock upgrade. Our outdoor “range” is public land, and depending on where you set up, you have between 50 and 200 yards of flat ground. Over several trips with the rifle, we were unable to get a spot with more than 50 yards available. And then it got cold. So we never really got to test for a measurable difference in accuracy.
On the plus side, the adjustable length of pull made for a better fit with different shooters. And the cold, hollow polymer, which wasn’t doing accuracy any favors, has been replaced by the solid feel of warm laminate. That alone would justify this upgrade for many. Tighter groups with an already accurate rifle are just icing on the cake.
Why the DEADSET Stock Works
Boyds engineered the DEADSET by combining a precision-machined aluminum bedding frame with a multi-layer hardwood laminate shell. Despite our inability to fully measure improvements, this combination gives you:
- The rigidity of a metal chassis around the receiver
- The warmth, balance, and natural damping of wood
- A consistent fit that doesn’t compress over time
The result is a stock that holds zero well, feels balanced, and resists the environmental variables that can affect accuracy. With a .270, where recoil and harmonics matter more, those improvements should be immediately noticeable.
Pros and Cons of the Boyds DEADSET Stock
Pros:
- Rigid aluminum bedding chassis
- Great fit with minimal installation work
- Tool-less adjustability
- Attractive, durable laminate finish
- Improved consistency and group stability
Cons:
- More expensive than standard Boyds laminates
- Heavier than many synthetic stocks
- Recoil pad feels firmer than expected for some shooters
Final Thoughts
The Boyds DEADSET stock isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade for the Remington 700. It blends the stability of an aluminum chassis with the classic feel of wood, all in a package that installs easily and performs exceptionally well. On the Remington 700 LA (.270), it improved ergonomics, and we should see tighter groups and more consistent recoil behavior when we have the opportunity to fully test it.
If you’re upgrading a hunting rifle or want to improve a long-range setup without going full chassis, the Boyds DEADSET stock hits a sweet spot. It’s strong, customizable, and built for real performance. And as always, I’d like to thank Boyds Gunstocks for providing the DEADSET stock for our testing and evaluation.
Very Nice, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is probably the only Boyds stock that I feel is worth getting, I do wish they’d change out the adjustable hardware on this and the At-one stocks.
Nice Article, i’ve got an old Rem 700 myself that I inherited from my Grandfather. That thing has to have one the smoothest bolt’s out of any of the guns that I own.