Butt position on shoulder

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bjazz

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I use to shoot from the bench till I picked up long range shooting bug. Recoil of 308 had never been a concern upto 100 rounds per session from bench(never shot more then that). I find prone position quite stable but when I'm in prone position, all relaxed, to get proper cheek weld, eye relief and natural point of aim rifle's butt pad end up on my collar bone. If I try to put butt in the 'pocket' then I have to tilt my head noticeably and if I bring rifle to me then butt ends up on my collar bone. After 20-30 rounds I really start to feel the recoil, especially with 338. As for my position, I lay straight behind the rifle, rifle firm but not too tight against shoulder(without using any muscles) and bipod loaded.
Rifles are nothing fancy, both are savage with HS precision stocks.
I have been using some sort of pad between the butt and shoulder but that increases length of pull to the point that I'm stretching my neck to get full sight picture(scopes are mounted almost all the way back). I would like to address this issue properly.
I need suggestions from you experts as to what should I do? I know its hard to suggest without actually being with me but any suggestion is welcome(other then "man up")
I was thinking of following options
1. Try shooting with body at an angle to the rifle(30-45 deg), I have tried it at home and it seems to put rifle in the pocket. Not sure if that's a good idea for consistency and accuracy.
2. Try shooting with tilted head, sight pic will be tilted but with scope level it shouldn't be too too bad. Again not sure about consistency.
3. Try to find an adjustable butt pad, raise the pad up to get more pad to shoulder contact. Also if such thing exists, adjust pad sideways (towards right looking from behind the rifle) so contact is in the pocket and still rifle is closer to my face.
Something like this(not sure if this would work with synthetic stock)
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...stable-pad-plate-sku352000002-6719-16373.aspx
4. Just buy past recoil pad and a shooting jacket.
 
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Same thing.
TRG 42 338LM.
Even when adjusting the cheek piece and the pad , I end up having the recoil pad on the collar bone about 1 inch to the shoulder pocket.
It feel damm straight tho.

Mush
 
When I shot in cadets as a kid the position prone was at an angle. When I moved up to full bore rifles I found that getting in behind the rifle helped with absorbing recoil. I have shot with my body at angle and didn't notice any drastic accuracy change. It was pretty much even. Both positions I had the rifle in the pocket.

If your really concerned you can by a level for your scope and shoot with that if you want to shoot with your body in line with the rifle to get it in the pocket.
 
Stocks that fit on the bench rarely ever fit when prone.

338's kick like a mule.

If you are not comfy, change EVERYTHING and ANYTHING to make it so. Be straight behind the rifle. Make the buttpad and comb and scope and LOP fit you.

I make my own stocks cause I gave up on trying to fit the "average" stock dimensions...

Based on that vid and set up.. for ME (remember this is all user specific), Buttpad is way too low. Comb and scope are way too low. Boreline is very nice. The person is shooting WAY too flat for me to get comfy and to see properly (I wear glasses).

I shoot F TR so am trying to get as close to pedestal rest type tracking which may be different then tactical style and the limits these rifles and bipods put on the user.

I suggest you get a fully adjustable stock and try moving it all to see what position best suits you. I doubt your buddy will be able to use it unless he is near clone of you physically.

Jerry
 
I have seen that video before and actually I try and follow those instructions. Even in the video you can see that only top of the pad is touching his body. All the recoil is getting absorbed through that small point of contact which in my case happens to be on the collar bone. Next time out I'm gonna try and have pad in the pocket and move my head over to right to get cheek weld and see how consistent I can be.
If I had skill sets like yours Jerry I would definitely build a stock for myself. As for getting fully adjustable stock, it's out of reach right now.
What do you guys think about adjustable butt plates? Has anybody tried one?
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...stable-pad-plate-sku352000002-6719-16373.aspx
 
Ever try running in shoes 2 sizes too small?

If the rifle doesn't fit, you are basically learning alot of bad habits and will never be as consistent as needed. THUS, you will continue to make mechanical mistakes or get real sore... either way, you cannot shoot your best.

As for an adjustable stock, you can make your own with simple material for little costs.

I suspect you have a conventional HS stock - varmint style, which has a comb that is way too low and a buttpad that is WAAAYYYY too low.

Grab a sock, cut off both ends. Slip over buttstock, put hunks of foam rubber to form a new comb. Adjust both location and height so your head is comfortably upright and plumb with the boreline. Test in the prone position over your rear bag.. odds are the rear bag is too low too.

You will more then likely find the scope is now too low and you are looking at the elevation turret... it almost always is.

Raise the scope until it reaches your eye for a clear and full scope view. NEVER EVER crunch your head down or tilt it over to see through a scope. Our eyes and brain don't work that way.

We want our scope and rifle to be level when shooting. Why do we want the most important part to be #### eyed?

Take a rectangle of 3/4" plywood. Bolt or glue your recoil pad to that and then bolt that plywood to the stock. Elevate the pad so that it pretty much centers on the round that is your shoulder. You may find that it needs to be towards your ear to get in the pocket.

duct tape and try various positions until you find what is comfy... glue and bolt as needed.

You have less then $10 invested and you will likely be far more accurate and a whole lot more comfy.

When shooting prone, you may find that raising your chest higher is a good thing. Whatever it takes so you are comfy and stable.

Jerry
 
Thanks Jerry, I never would have thought of that.
It's pretty standard HS stock that comes on Savage 10 and 110. I bought second rifle coz I liked the stock for bench use. I have put plastic comb riser on, my eyes are lined up with scope but I need shoulder pad to be little high and little to the right. Sometimes I feel I made a mistake, I should have bought a standard action and some sort of chassis with more adjustability.
 
Chassis typically have the same issue unless you get a stock with proper adjustments.

Tacpro would make a great adjustable comb for little money... look a whole lot better too.

do consider raising the scope. I bet you will be more comfy.

Most stocks are designed for bench or position/hunting. The back is more often upright.

For precision prone shooting, it needs a much different set up...

Good luck and enjoy.

Jerry
 
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