MDT DRT: A Magnesium Folding Chassis Built for Hunting

Last updated on October 1st, 2026

The MDT DRT magnesium folding chassis takes a different approach to the increasingly specialised precision rifle market. Instead of adding more mass for a dedicated match rifle, MDT has built a lightweight platform around the needs of hunters carrying modern optics and accessories. The result combines an unusually light chassis with a substantial forend and an integrated folding buttstock.

That combination is the interesting part. A rifle can look manageable on a specifications sheet, then become considerably less appealing once the scope, mounts and other equipment are accounted for. The DRT addresses the weight of the chassis itself without stripping the design down to a minimalist stock.

MDT DRT Specifications

The figures above come from the current MDT DRT product listing. The quoted weight is for the chassis assembly, not a complete rifle. The US listing shows a backorder notice, so availability should be checked when ordering.

Why Magnesium Matters

MDT introduced the DRT at SHOT Show 2026 as a hunting chassis with particular emphasis on night-vision and thermal-equipped rifles. Its launch announcement describes magnesium construction for the main body and buttstock, paired with hard-anodised aluminium for the bridge and ARCA rail.

The distinction matters: this is not an all-magnesium design. It uses different materials in different parts of the assembly, rather than making a single material do every job.

Weight figures are most useful when the included components are clear. Comparing a bare chassis body against a package that already includes a buttstock and grip can produce a misleading impression of the difference. The DRT figure includes those components and the NV bridge.

An Integrated Folding Buttstock

The folding mechanism is built into the DRT, with adjustable friction controlling its retention. MDT also lists tool-free length-of-pull adjustment and an adjustable cheek riser with a foam insert. A carbon-fibre vertical grip completes the rear of the chassis.

For a rifle that spends time travelling in a case, the folder is an immediately understandable feature. A shorter stored package is useful even when the rifle itself is not especially light. It is a practical distinction from a fixed-stock chassis, rather than a reason on its own to expect better accuracy.

A Different Brief From a Match Chassis

The forend incorporates M-LOK attachment points and a full-length ARCA interface, with support for ARCALOCK and RRS Lock. MDT also includes an adjustable magazine latch and a lock intended to prevent unintended magazine release.

Those features explain why the DRT looks more substantial than a conventional lightweight hunting stock. The design brief includes accessory accommodation and adjustability, not simply the lowest possible number on a scale.

It is a different proposition from the competition-focused ACC Elite featured in our Bergara Premier Competition Elite article. The useful question is not which chassis has the longer feature list, but which set of compromises suits the role of the rifle. A dedicated match platform and a rifle carried between hunting locations do not necessarily need the same priorities.

Check Compatibility Before Ordering

MDT currently labels the DRT inlet as Remington 700 SA. However, its published compatibility information needs careful reading: the original announcement restricts fit to certain clone actions with integral recoil lugs, while the current product page presents a broader list that includes Bergara models.

That inconsistency should not be glossed over. Buyers should obtain confirmation from MDT for their exact action and model rather than treat the Remington 700 label as a universal fit guarantee. This is a compatibility question to resolve with the manufacturer, not an invitation to assume that a different rifle will fit.

Where the DRT Fits

At its listed price, the DRT belongs in the premium end of the chassis market. The strongest case for it is the combination of low assembly weight, a built-in folder and an accessory-friendly design. Someone who wants only a simple stock may find much of that package unnecessary.