Fitting a shotgun

cvenne

cvenne

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Hello all, i would like to purchase an O/U 20 ga for grouse hunting. I am hesitant though as i am not sure which one would fit me best? So can you tell me the best way to determine if a gun FITS you? I assume when you shoulder it if you see a bit of the barrell and a bit of the site then it is pretty good. Any input would be appreciated. I am looking for a gun that is low cost but fits as i will be trudging thru some pretty nasty bush so a Browning Citori is out of the question.. :)
 
Go to a gunshop hold a shotgun of your choice in the ready (down gun) position. Close your eyes and bring the gun to shoulder with your face firmly placed against your cheek -- open your eye(s) if you have to move your head in any direction to see down the middle of the barrel/rib, then the gun doesn't fit. You should see only the bead and the rear receiver with no rib showing. I like a flat sight picture so that the gun points where I look. You might want to shoulder each gun you try several times (with closed eyes ) to see if your mount placement is consistant.
Cheers/luck!
 
A test I use is similar to the above except I pick a spot on a wall and stare at it then quickly shoulder the gun, the "target" should be just under the bead without moving the gun or your head. I do this several times for consistency.
 
Cool. thanks guys. Now if i tried say 4 differnent guns and none fit, by changing shims will that correct this? I realize shims only do the vertical adjustments.

Thx
 
Shims are only on synthetic guns. Semi-auto guns too be more precise. I may be wrong but I have never seen them on an O/U.
 
How low a cost do you have in mind / how much can you spend ? Why is a Citori out of the question.... too expensive or too pretty ?

Lots of used citoris go thru the EE, find one with fixed chokes and have them opened if too tight.
Lots of other choices can be found used such as Winchester 101's, 96's, SKB 500, 600, series, etc. Generally all with neutral cast.

Tim.
 
Grouser said:
You should see only the bead and the rear receiver with no rib showing. I like a flat sight picture so that the gun points where I look.
Cheers/luck!
Click to expand...

Thank you for saying that!:) I've never quite figured out why I so often hear people giving advice by saying that you should see "a bit of the rib", even when they are talking about field guns. A field gun should shoot where it points IMO. The amount of lead to give a bird is up to the hunter behind the gun.
 
planemaker said:
How low a cost do you have in mind / how much can you spend ? Why is a Citori out of the question.... too expensive or too pretty ?

Lots of used citoris go thru the EE, find one with fixed chokes and have them opened if too tight.
Lots of other choices can be found used such as Winchester 101's, 96's, SKB 500, 600, series, etc. Generally all with neutral cast.

Tim.
Click to expand...

a bit of both really. i see the mossberg silver reserve going for 500 at shows and that is more in my range. I am going to be going out like 5 times a yr and trudgin thru some pretty nasty bush so no way i want an expensive gun that will make me cry when i scratch it. As for EE, i have sent in 4 requests to be added over the past month and a half, still not added as of today!!! ARGHHHHH
 
Grouser said:
Go to a gunshop hold a shotgun of your choice in the ready (down gun) position. Close your eyes and bring the gun to shoulder with your face firmly placed against your cheek -- open your eye(s) if you have to move your head in any direction to see down the middle of the barrel/rib, then the gun doesn't fit. You should see only the bead and the rear receiver with no rib showing. I like a flat sight picture so that the gun points where I look. You might want to shoulder each gun you try several times (with closed eyes ) to see if your mount placement is consistant.
Cheers/luck!
Click to expand...

So i tried this with 3 of our shotguns:

Browning gold - Duck gun, shoot pretty decent with it, vertically it is fine however the bead is a bit to the right of my eye (right handed)

Mossberg 935 Ultra mag: Turkeygun/backup duck gun: same as Browning

Mossber 5 super bantam (wifes) length of pull is way off but that asside it seems to fit the best..

so i know you can put in shims on my two semi's but that only accounts for vertical adjustments, what if anything can be done for the left/right inequities? Does this point to not perfectly fit guns or is it likely technique (not putting gun firmly enough against my cheek?

Thx in advance.
 
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