Boyd 10/22 Evolution and TactiCool Stock Review
We love to customize our 10/22s with custom triggers, barrels, receivers, bolts, and of course stocks. There are almost as many aftermarket stocks for 10/22s as there are aftermarket 10/22 accessories. For classic to wild styles, Boyd's Gunstocks are some of the best values in the market for only around $120 for a solid hardwood stock. Boyd's Gunstocks have four different models for the 10/22 including the Rimfire Thumbhole, Blaster, TactiCool, and SS Evolution stocks. All the models with the exception of the TactiCool stock are also available in a rainbow of seven colored laminated hardwoods and most are also available in the same textured black finish shown on the pictured TactiCool stock.
If you have read any of my previous 10/22 reviews, chances are high that you have seen one of my 10/22 Boyd's Gunstocks featured. Pictured is my Tactical Machining/Kidd build dressed up with a black TactiCool Boyd's stock and Leupold VX-2 3-9x scope and a Tactical Innovations/Whistlepig build with a purple laminated SS Evolution stock and Nikon 2-7 BDC scope.
My first build with the purple SS Evolution stock was with a Force Production hex fluted barrel, action, and trigger however Mrs Pandemic insisted the the purple on purple match-up between Tactical Innovations receiver and the Purple SS Evolution was her perfect setup.
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FIT, FEEL, FINISH, FEATURES, & FUNCTIONS
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TactiCool Stock - Following the black tie theme, the Boyd Tacticool stock was the perfect choice for my Kidd build. The TactiCool Hardwood Stock was designed by Boyds' to meet the requests of customers looking for an affordable free-float barrel tactical design for their 10/22 rifles.
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The beavertail forend allows for greater stabilization while shooting off of bags, but is still trim enough for general purpose shooting. Boyd designed the dual purpose butt hook for greater control of the stock and firearm with your non-trigger hand, as well as allowing for a better grip on the rear bag when shooting from the bench. ![]()
Three sling swivels are mounted and provide points for bipod, and sling attachment. The Monte Carlo comb brings the shooter's cheek up for use with larger scopes and comes with an ambidextrous grip that allows either hand to assume a more natural position.
The fit and finish his been excellent on both the stocks. The laminated wood used by Boyd's is beautiful and in addition to being available in seven colors variations, it has a significant advantage over a traditional hardwood stock. The laminated hardwoods are up to two-three times stronger than natural solid hardwood stocks, less prone to warpage and are less affected significantly by moisture changes.
Boys’s finishes off each stock with a tough protective solvent and oil resistant finish and a brass action screw collar. Boyd's TactiCool stock is only available in a tough textured black “tactical” finish, however the finish is also available on other models. This construction adds up to a stock which will deliver both good looks and more consistent accuracy all for not a lot of money. These two stock designs are both extremely comfortable to shoot, however from a feel perspective they could not be more different.
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| Shown with a custom .920" bull Force Production Barrel |
SS Evolution Stock - The 10/22 SS Evolution stock is extremely lightweight and designed as an offhand shooting stock which is great for plinking, action type shooting and an excellent small game stalking hunt stock. I found the a completely ambidextrous Evolution provided a top heavy feel which is good for unsupported shooting, but I struggled a bit with it on the bench until I attached a swivel stud and bipod.
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| Shown with a stock factory profile barrel |
The SS Evolution stock is designed to be lightweight and has a hollow buttstock to greatly reduce weight, a shortened angled foregrip, a comfortable pistol style grip and the high contoured cheek rest deliver a platform perfect for offhand shots.
A feature a liked most was that this is a stock has no barrel contact at all and will look good with either a stock or bull barrel profile barrel and is a great first upgrade for someone easing into a 10/22 upgrade. One of the things I felt lacking was a set of swivel studs on the stock, however those are added easily and inexpensively.
TactiCool Stock - Following the black tie theme, the Boyd Tacticool stock was the perfect choice for my Kidd build. The TactiCool Hardwood Stock was designed by Boyds' to meet the requests of customers looking for an affordable free-float barrel tactical design for their 10/22 rifles.
The beavertail forend allows for greater stabilization while shooting off of bags, but is still trim enough for general purpose shooting. Boyd designed the dual purpose butt hook for greater control of the stock and firearm with your non-trigger hand, as well as allowing for a better grip on the rear bag when shooting from the bench. 
Three sling swivels are mounted and provide points for bipod, and sling attachment. The Monte Carlo comb brings the shooter's cheek up for use with larger scopes and comes with an ambidextrous grip that allows either hand to assume a more natural position.
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| Higher cheek piece makes for more comfortable offhand shoting |
The slight palm swell on either side provides for a more comfortable grip. All considered the Boyd Tacticool stock delivers a lot for a $92 stock and is one of the top 10/22 choices for benchrest shooters and it was the perfect choice for this build.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Oddly enough, Boyd’s took a lot of crap from the rest of the industry when they first introduced radically designed and colored 10/22 stocks such as the Evolution and TactiCool models shown here; today these wild and crazy stocks remain their best sellers. The SS Evolution is an incredibly comfortable stock for offhand shots and very light as well.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Oddly enough, Boyd’s took a lot of crap from the rest of the industry when they first introduced radically designed and colored 10/22 stocks such as the Evolution and TactiCool models shown here; today these wild and crazy stocks remain their best sellers. The SS Evolution is an incredibly comfortable stock for offhand shots and very light as well.
The TactiCool stock is a classicly styled sniper stock that is still a great universal lightweight stock and the best part is that there are more models and colors to choose from in the inexpensively priced Boyds Gunstock line, you just need to find the perfect one for you.
SPECS
Boyds SS Evolution Stock - $99.99
Boyds Tacticool Stock - $99.99
SOURCES
Boyd’s Gunstock - http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/
Kidd - Cool Guy Guns - www.CoolGuyGuns.com
Force Production - http://www.forceproduction.com/
Tactical Innovations - http://www.tacticalinc.com/
Tactical Machining - http://www.tacticalmachining.com/
Nikon Optics - http://www.nikonhunting.com/
Leupold Optics - http://www.leupold.com
SPECS
Boyds SS Evolution Stock - $99.99
Boyds Tacticool Stock - $99.99
SOURCES
Boyd’s Gunstock - http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/
Kidd - Cool Guy Guns - www.CoolGuyGuns.com
Force Production - http://www.forceproduction.com/
Tactical Innovations - http://www.tacticalinc.com/
Tactical Machining - http://www.tacticalmachining.com/
Nikon Optics - http://www.nikonhunting.com/
Leupold Optics - http://www.leupold.com