rifle balance

I think that with a rifle, unfortunately, one that is muzzle heavy will be steadier, ie; heavy barrel....to a certain extent(unless it's too heavy). A rifle or shotgun that is well balanced(between the hands) will feel lighter then it really is.
 
Woodsman said:
Pickup a .30-30 Win 94 and aim. Now that's about as perfect as balance gets!

Next in line is an over and under 12 guage...Perfection!
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Which is interesting, as I find that the 94 is the most appalling abomination that I have ever shot....looks pretty though.
 
It must be something that is known only to those in North America....perhaps someone should have told the rest of us.
 
J Stuart said:
Which is interesting, as I find that the 94 is the most appalling abomination that I have ever shot....looks pretty though.
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Blasphemy! :eek: But hey... everything is upside down in your neck of the world! And your rats are huge and can jump as high and far as our deer!;):D
 
Mihasic,
You'll know it when you find it. There is the occasional rifle that will just "hang" on target for a shooter, and feels impossible to miss with. Never sell it when you find it.The first "magic" rifle that I owned was a pre 64 custom built by the Rifle Ranch. Not knowing magic when I had it in my hand I traded it for a stainless and plastic monstrosity that I had to work to hit anything with. If there was a common characteristic every magic rifle I met had more drop at heel than is currently fashionable, was slim in the hands and either had a long barrel or at least a hint of forward weight.By constrast I've had target rifles that shot like lasers and felt like clubs.
There is still a little voodoo left in rifles, and even 2 of the same model seldom feel the same. If I ever figure out the magic ingredient I'll bottle it.:confused:
 
Woodsman said:
Blasphemy! :eek: But hey... everything is upside down in your neck of the world! And your rats are huge and can jump as high and far as our deer!;):D
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Thanks Woodsman, that raised a good laugh........just remember though, no matter what else, we are always in front of you......by about seventeen hours.
 
Dogleg said:
Mihasic,
You'll know it when you find it. There is the occasional rifle that will just "hang" on target for a shooter, and feels impossible to miss with. Never sell it when you find it. If there was a common characteristic every magic rifle I met had more drop at heel than is currently fashionable, was slim in the hands and either had a long barrel or at least a hint of forward weight.
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I agree with these points, but strangely enough the rifle I shoot best offhand is my Kimber 84m which weighs less than 7 lbs scoped.
 
martinbns said:
I agree with these points, but strangely enough the rifle I shoot best offhand is my Kimber 84m which weighs less than 7 lbs scoped.
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See, it's voodoo.:D Kimbers with their tiny actions manage to preserve the feel without the weight.I like mine too. Its funny but I picked up CZ .22 Mag this morning that is showing signs of sorcery. It probably doesn't weigh 6 pounds but is slim in the hands and has a bavarian stock. Model 94s hold like a rock even though they don't come close to fitting me or my normal hunting techniques. I can shoot the BL22 and 94/22 better than my old Anschutz even if the accuracy and triggers don't begin to compare. I recently restocked a CZ 550 .416 to a bavarian stock and accidently stumbled onto a nice holding piece. The different density and bulky buttstock raised the weight 1.4 pounds and shifted the balance back, even with the 25 inch barrel and huge action.
I've tried adding lead to stocks to get the balance worked out to what I thought was ideal. Somehow it never seems to work. The only thing that I know for sure is that every gun that balances for me will never leave again. I don't care what they look like, how burnt the barrel gets or what other flaws they have, I've learned my lesson. Oh and if someone bought a pre 64 M70 built by the Riverhurst Rifle Ranch with a 23 1/2" barrel with integral muzzle weight chambered to .270 from the old Dixon store I want it back. Please:D
 
Dogleg, you are right about having some drop at the comb. My 602 was better with the factory stock, but the McMillan doesn't rate hideous either. The clubby B&C on my M-7 is hideous, and one has to concentrate hard to shoot it well. Not sure why I keep that thing. I've got a ZG-47 on the way that I have great hopes for. Hopefully it's home by months end.

A few of my pals prefer their rifles to be slightly muzzle heavy. I suppose because I like short rifles I'm happy with the weight balanced between my hands while their rifles tend to have 24"-26" barrels. Perhaps there is no correct answer, although I've never met anyone who wants a rifle to be butt heavy. I don't see how the new breed of military bull-pups can feel very natural.
 
I agree with you Mike, I also like the weight of the firearm between my hands when standing up, but decidedly muzzle heavy when working.
Short barrels on sporting rifles is also my preference.
James.

I have just received this months magazines(thought you would like current ones), so I can send everything on asap.
 
Boomer,
Muzzle weight is a funny thing too. Why is that a traditional iron sighted muzzleloader hangs nice and a varmint rifle feels like a crow-bar? I do think that we have much to learn from the Europeans about stock fit and balance.
 
I like a rifle with a 13" LOP, slightly heaver than normal 22" bbl or "normal" weight 24" bbl with a close grip to trigger relation ship. With a light scope, fast lock time and 3-4lbs trigger I have found that type of combo to shoot well for me off hand.
 
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