The AllTerra Carbon Hunter 3 stock is a standout choice for hunters and precision shooters upgrading just about any rifle, and much of its appeal lies in how it’s made. Weighing in at around 30 ounces in its heaviest configuration (with a forend Pic rail, rear QD flush cup, and pillars installed), it’s lightweight…It feels great in the hand, with a molded-in texture on the grip and forend that offers a non-slip grip without being overly aggressive. The stock comes in many unique color options, such as Arctic, Everglade, Obsidian, or Damascus, showcasing its premium build quality.
What sets the Carbon Hunter 3 apart from many other stocks? AllTerra’s use of a resin infusion process which is unlike stocks made with hand-laid carbon fiber, where layers are manually stacked and bonded with epoxy (a method prone to inconsistencies like air pockets or uneven resin distribution), resin infusion involves placing dry carbon fiber into a mold and then pulling resin through under vacuum pressure. This ensures a uniform saturation of the fibers, resulting in a stronger, lighter, and more consistent structure.
Compared to injection-molded polymer stocks—like those from H-S Precision or some Bell & Carlson, this method avoids the brittleness or added weight that can come with fillers used in molding. It’s also a step up from cheaper carbon stocks that might rely on chopped fiber mats, which lack the directional strength of the continuous fibers AllTerra uses.
The attention to detail doesn’t stop there. AllTerra offers an optional bedding service where you send in your barreled action and bottom metal, and they install full-length aluminum pillars and bed the action. The pillars run the length of the action, providing a rigid foundation that rivals the stability of a chassis rifle. I sent in a .25 Creedmoor on a Bighorn Origin action that I usually keep in a chassis to be bedded along with my Hawkins Hunter Bottom Metal.
I also felt like this would make a killer mule deer rifle combo. I also felt like this rifle would give me a good comparison of recoil and accuracy between the stock and the chassis. In my experience, this bedding gave my rifle a slight accuracy edge over a chassis setup—likely due to the stock’s ability to dampen vibrations while maintaining a perfect action-to-stock fit. I shot five, five-shot groups with the rifle in each configuration to try and get a good idea of the accuracy. All groups were sub 0.500; however, the Allterra C3 setup performed slightly better overall.
The negative comb design is another great touch, keeping your cheek weld consistent and your eye on target through recoil, which felt comparable to my chassis rifle despite the lighter weight. As far as recoil, it was very similar to the chassis setup; however, the stock seemed to soak up the shot, making the recoil feel dead, if that makes sense. I think the carbon soaks up the recoil making it a pleasant experience. With that said, muzzle rise seemed to be the same between the stock and chassis.
The standard Picatinny rail up front isn’t my favorite, however. I get its appeal for hunters mounting bipods however I prefer a full-length area setup which is a discussion for another time. It’s a small trade-off, though, and one that reflects the stock’s broad appeal.
How It Matches Up To The Competition
Compared to others, the Carbon Hunter 3 holds its own. A stock like the Manners Elite Hunter, also carbon fiber, uses a similar high-end layup process but often comes in heavier (closer to 34-38 ounces) and lacks the factory bedding option. Wood stocks, while beautiful, can’t match the weight savings or weather resistance, and they’re more labor-intensive to shape, often driving up costs without the precision of a molded carbon design. Wood stocks also hold moisture and can swell.
Conclusion
In the end, the Carbon Hunter 3’s resin-infused carbon construction delivers a rare combo of strength, lightness, and consistency that’s tough to find elsewhere. Paired with the bedding service, it’s a hair more accurate than my chassis rifle and a joy to carry. If you’re after a stock that’s meticulously crafted for the field, this one’s hard to beat.
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