help with sizing a hunting rifle

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idunno1987

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well I guess you could call me a smaller guy (5'7" 155 pounds) but it looks like I may need some help

I went and shouldered a few rifles I was interested in buying just to see what fit me best

tried the xbolt,felt alrite little long bolt was TERRIBLE felt so bad I dont know why people have been praising these

I then tried a tikka t3 lite, besides everything being plastic it felt great for length in the shoulder bolt was great,recoil pad let alot to be desired (piece of hard rubber?)

then it was time to try what I went to purchase, the savage 11
it was a nice in between for bolt smoothness, i found the savage looked alrite,but it felt of a high quality trigger was nice recoil pad was nice and loved the look of the jeweled bolt.My only problem was that it was the longest of the bunch it fell long to shoulder not terribly long but long enough to make me realise it was long :p.

now I have never fired a hunting rifle in my life but would the rifle being slightly to long be to my disadvantage?
what If I was using a shooters stick or bi-pod for hunting?

Im not sure what to do loved the savage except for that reason, any recommendation on a shorter bolt action in .308
 
You can replace the stock with a wooden one and shorten it. You can look at youth models if you find the gun is too long from trigger to shoulder. I have a marlin 336Y in 30/30 that has a shortened stock and barrel. Very nice for tight bush.
 
Most factory rifles fall into the "one size fits all" category, as relates to gunstock length. Unfortunately, we all don't fit into the cookie cutter. As mentioned, a replacement stock cut to your individual pull length would be the way to go. Any competent gunsmith can measure and fit you for your proper pull length. Definitely worth the investment. The reward: you will shoot better and with more confidence when your rifle fits.
 
If you can find Browning Micro-hunter try it on. I think their very comfortable. Otherwise look for a youth rifle. Don't let the whole youth thing bother you, they have a shorter length of pull and shorter barrel and are overall handier. A rifle that is too long for you in the summer time will be almost impossible to shoulder in the fall when you are wearing a coat.
 
Savage makes their guns with a 22" barrel in standard calibers. The magnums are 24". I'm the same weight just a few inshes taller and the stevens savage guns feel really nice. You could always have the barrel shortened and recrowned. I agree as you did the A bolt felt weird and the tikkas feel very awkward to me. The ruger compact might be nice to try. I've yet to handle one tho. What do you plan on hunting? Do you prefer the long action or short action?
 
prefer short action so I will be getting a .308, and by length I meant the length of pull felt to long,but also would like to know if I shot off of a shooting stick or bipod if the length would affect my shot
 
I'm about your size and have the same problem. I take mine to a local guy who cuts them down for me and installs a new pad to fit. I costs me a few bucks extra, but it is hard to shoot rifles that don't fit well.

The only downside possibly is resale of the shortened firearm.

As others have said, look for a youth model.
 
243 may be a little better for you, it's the same short action and built off the 308 casing. The recoil is really mild and you can find most youth models good to go chambered in it.

Savage should have a whack of guns basically ready to order without custom chop jobs.
 
really set on a .308 :), maybe I could look into a non accustock model and have the stock cut down a bit..im going to try and see if I can find a tc venture though
weird thing is the t3 lite felt alrite shouldering?
 
I bought a Ruger compact and I really like it. I've also had a few rifles shortened and find them much easier to handle, especially with a coat on. It would certainly affect the resale value by shortening so be sure you're good and happy with it before you put it under the knife.
 
aqpparently the axiom stock is pinned in canada because it makes the rifle restricted, not to mention out of my price range....anyone know where I can pick up/shoulder a tc venture
 
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