Importance of rifle fit

[Jimbobob08]

Simple enough question, how important is the rifle fit to your body on a hunting rig?



I slowly saved up for two years to purchase my dream rifle. Take it out and shoot it to find it's a tack driver, smooth as butter action, but doesn't fit my shoulder well at all. The entire hunting season it stayed in camp while my grandfathers 30-30 accompanied me in the bush. I've stuck it up on the EE afew times just to remove the thread a day or two later. Not sure if this is common but it seems to happen with every bolt action I own, while every lever I pick up fits like a glove.

 

[Levi Garrett]

length of pull, your's is shorter than standard, easy fix , cut stock, replace pad, or upgrade, $50 at a smith. Don't overlook the scope eye relief, some setup at the bench, then shoot off hand where the scope is to far back, play with that part to get it right, eyes closed when you shoulder the gun, then look thru, may require moving scope forward or back, and even up and down, with different rings.

 

[kungfushurfu]

you have to make a rifle fit you properly...you can't make you fit a rifle.. it would be fairly simle to change the stock out for some thing that will fit you better and you feel more comfortable with...the butt of most stocks can altered for length of pull and for the shape and angle of the recoil pad to help give you a better/more comfortable fit...

 

[Tumbleweed]

I know the feeling...I have an AII Sako in .308 that's like that. A bloody tackdriver that doesn't fit me worth spit. I know the cure too, but I don't have the heart to alter it and I like it so much I hate to sell it.

 

[ggagnon]

I know the feeling...I have an AII Sako in .308 that's like that. A bloody tackdriver that doesn't fit me worth spit. I know the cure too, but I don't have the heart to alter it and I like it so much I hate to sell it.

it seems like murder to modify your baby, but take it to a gunsmith, its like giving blood, if you dont watch the needle it doesnt hurt as bad,

the end result in loosing an inch or two off the stock is not a noticable difference, and as long as the recoil pad is trimmed right it will still look the way it did before surgery, but it will fit you better and help you shoot better, you would be amazed at the difference a well set up, properly fitting rifle makes for practical use, and the cost to do so is minimal when compared to buying a whole new rifle that fits a bit better

 

[alaus24]

Ok so from where to where do you measure your body to determine your optimum length of pull?

 

[Levi Garrett]

Ok so from where to where do you measure your body to determine your optimum length of pull?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54l76JER3dY

 

[mcrae555]

Fit is everything to me. I have sold my fair share in the quest for the "one"...

I have found a few that are close but my recent acquisition is damn near perfect.

 

[blargon]

Simple enough question, how important is the rifle fit to your body on a hunting rig?

A firearm that doesn't fit you is useless. Shotgun or rifle, same thing. What rifle did you buy that doesn't fit? One of the reasons I like McMillan stocks, is that I can specify which pattern I want and the length of pull to fit me...

I know the feeling...I have an AII Sako in .308 that's like that. A bloody tackdriver that doesn't fit me worth spit. I know the cure too, but I don't have the heart to alter it and I like it so much I hate to sell it.

Buy a spare stock and cut it instead...

 

[Suka]

Just a thought... have you measured from the trigger to the butt of the stock on both your's and grampa's, and compared?

Most levers don't have a "pistol gip" type stock, while most bolts do.

Been looking at this thread off and on and wanted to suggest that.

Some people simply like levers better, I do. Maybe it's because of the angle and shape of the stock(blr '81 or winchester style), I don't know, but I've had lot's of different guns, and favorite's always the same, regardless of calibre. At the same time, I Don't like the pistol grip blr's, or marlins.
Just wanted to mention that.

 

[steve-o1979]

That's a bit of a downer about my TC Venture... LOP is close for me, but not perfect... not bad enough to bother me while shooting. My old Remington 7600 fits me perfect.

 

[t-star]

i actually have to lengthen mine usually by about an inch or so- also, remove the recoil pad if there is one- it may be as simple as getting a thinner one or going to a thicker- that's usually a good 1/2 to 3/4 inch either direction- first, before you do any cutting

 

[bill c68]

If you take it to a gunsmith, make sure you see some of his work. I do all of my own stock cutting because I have seen some pretty crappy pad fitting.

Funny, for me I had to cut almost every shotgun I have owned but never a rifle unless I wanted to install a pad where there previously was none.

For the poster who said you don't have the heart to cut your gun... just do it. My friend gave hi wife a limited edition Rem 1100 28 gauge, to pretty to cut. She is only about 4'10 or so and couldn't use it. She got really discouraged from shooting cause she couldn't hit anything and now the gun is in someone else's hands, too bad really.