Ive had a tikka 695 in 338 wm and the synthetic stock that ive been wanting to put into a pepper laminate. I would like to try the thumbhole stock on it but have been warned by some that you could hurt your hand. Seems possible however unlikely.....anyone have any experience with thumbhole stocks on large caliber rifles? And are they still comfortable to shoot? Thanks.
Is a thumbhole stock on a 338wm a bad idea?
- Thread starter sookie_69
- Start date
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Factory stocks are made for one certain mythical body type. If you have c-fbmi sized mitts then a factory thumbhole might need some rasp work before it fits your hand properly. On the other hand, if you have hands like my brother then you might find that the grip is too fat and makes the trigger hard to reach.
Bottom line...try before you buy.
Bottom line...try before you buy.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Turkey shotguns now sport thumb holes, if you're worried about recoil hurting your hand, don't be.
I find they transfer more recoil to your hand in the Web of your thumb but if your thumb is strong and your for arm is straight the recoil seems to fade away and muzzle jump seems to be tamed. This is my experience. I like them for rifles that I would sit and wait type hunting. Coming off the over the shoulder sling carry I find them slower than a traditional stock if you're planning to aim and fire at a flushed animal
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Whether or not the thumbhole, is a good idea depends upon how you'll use the rifle, assuming that the one you get fits you. What I consider a plus is that the thumhole positions your hand so that you pull the trigger straight back, whereas most conventional stocks have your finger slightly above the trigger, so you're pulling up on it. This is a minor advantage though, as the majority of shooters with properly tuned triggers wouldn't be able to tell the difference. If the thumbhole has a major advantage its that the rifle takes on a straight line from barrel to butt much like a tube gun; this makes recoil more manageable, and would certainly be a bonus on a target rifle chambered for a powerful cartridge, like a .300 Winchester or a .338 Lapua.
But what of the disadvantages? If the thumbhole fits your hand well in warm weather, what happens when you go hunting late in the season? Will your thumb still enter the hole when you have gloves on? If its a struggle, how much time does it take to cycle the action and get back on target? Does the design allow you to shoot the rifle in a convenient manner with your thumb alongside the stock?
The deal breaker for me is the inability to conveniently shoot a thumbhole stocked rifle from my support side. Ambidextrous shooting while hunting doesn't come up that often, but it can be beneficial in some circumstances, and if you can do it, you're more likely to use it. Its easier to track an animal running right to left with the rifle on your right shoulder, but its easier from your left shoulder if the game runs from left to right. I had the occasion to use the technique on my warthog, which took off quartering to the right. At the shot I rolled the M-70 a quarter turn to the left, ran the bolt with my left hand, rolled it upright,and was immediately ready for a follow-up shot, but none was required. The reaction from my PH suggests that this is not a common technique, but the point is, that shot could not have been made with a right handed thumbhole stock. Now in the Canadian context, consider hunting from a canoe along a narrow river, where the moose appears on the right side of the canoe. What is quicker, spinning the canoe around for a right hand shot, or just shooting left handed? There is why I wouldn't want a thumbhole stocked hunting rifle.
But what of the disadvantages? If the thumbhole fits your hand well in warm weather, what happens when you go hunting late in the season? Will your thumb still enter the hole when you have gloves on? If its a struggle, how much time does it take to cycle the action and get back on target? Does the design allow you to shoot the rifle in a convenient manner with your thumb alongside the stock?
The deal breaker for me is the inability to conveniently shoot a thumbhole stocked rifle from my support side. Ambidextrous shooting while hunting doesn't come up that often, but it can be beneficial in some circumstances, and if you can do it, you're more likely to use it. Its easier to track an animal running right to left with the rifle on your right shoulder, but its easier from your left shoulder if the game runs from left to right. I had the occasion to use the technique on my warthog, which took off quartering to the right. At the shot I rolled the M-70 a quarter turn to the left, ran the bolt with my left hand, rolled it upright,and was immediately ready for a follow-up shot, but none was required. The reaction from my PH suggests that this is not a common technique, but the point is, that shot could not have been made with a right handed thumbhole stock. Now in the Canadian context, consider hunting from a canoe along a narrow river, where the moose appears on the right side of the canoe. What is quicker, spinning the canoe around for a right hand shot, or just shooting left handed? There is why I wouldn't want a thumbhole stocked hunting rifle.
With a right hand thumb hole stock there is no worry about your "south side shooting" buddies borrowing your rifle.
That being said it also removed the same option for you if you ever had to take a shot from the left side!
That being said it also removed the same option for you if you ever had to take a shot from the left side!
In regards to shooting from the left side..... I think for me that issue would likely never come up. Only because with not practicing shooting from that side a 338wm will leave quite the mark if not shouldered correctly. Could be a painful learning experience i could do without.
Actually the thumb hole tames the recoil a bit because your right hand is absorbing some of the recoil. The downer for me is operating the safety. I'm used to bringing the rifle up a and releasing the safety.. You have to remove your hand from the grip and then reaquier a grip. Very difficult with snap shots.
Neil
Neil
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
At the end of the day, for me, I achieve more consistent accuracy with a thumbhole stock. While follow-up shots are slightly slower (I personally don't really notice) as compared to conventional stocks, it's the first shot that matters most. I also find that thumbhole stocks tame recoil better as it is spread to both your shoulder and hands. Everybody has different tastes and requirements, just make sure whatever you buy fits YOUR needs.
