Some great suggestions here. I’m too frugal for a new stock, but I do want it to look as good as I can. I’m going to try an extension and as some have pointed out, install a new pad. The thickest pad I’ve seem is 1.1 inch. If anyone is aware of a thicker pad please mention it.
Lengthen LOP on wood stock. What material?
- Thread starter synik
- Start date
You don't want a pad to be thicker than that for a lot of good reasons.
Have you actually measured your length of pull?
The best way to get the best LOP is to put the butt of the rifle into the crook of you arm and see how far you index finger "TIP" exceeds the distance to the trigger.
The "PAD ON THE TIP OF YOUR FINGER" should be all that's touching the trigger.
I see people bound and determined that they have to wrap their fingers around the trigger or reach excessively for the trigger.
Both lead to all sorts of windage issues on target..
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I think there are a few things that influence the "test" described above - I found out when making a stock for my wife, that the grip shape has a lot to do with where the trigger finger reaches or lays - to the extent that I had to make that stock grip much smaller than what I prefer - was even more pronounced when I did similar many years later for a stock for our grandson. In my wife's rifle's case - that was chambered in 243 Win. So she got a "solid" butt plate that made it all fit to her - I would use the same rifle with a "slip on" Pachmayr (?) recoil pad - not for recoil, but to make the LOP more suitable for me.
All out LOP on butt stock can be influenced by what you are wearing - T-shirt versus hunting parka. I believe LOP also influenced by your stance - standing off hand versus laying prone. Unless building one for a specific purpose, I tend to try to get a factory one and reproduce that - they seem quite good, generally, at stocking up with an "adequate" LOP for most situations.
I think I read that USA Army Marksman team played with altering LOP - I'm not likely remembering correctly, but was like they were trying identical rifles with 14/15" LOP, all the way down to 10/11" LOP - as I recall reading, average scores were better with the shorter LOP - so what they found, for what they do.
My brother has a pretty good curved scar above his shooting eye - was from a 300 Win Mag - Model 70 Winchester - he had fired it many times standing off-hand - cut himself good when he went prone to try for an elk - the first time. Since then he has had a muzzle brake installed, a different scope with longer eye relief, etc. - probably a little more awareness how things go wrong ...
Last edited:
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
What is the rifle by the way, is it possible to find a used stock to replace the cut down one? Would be cheaper than a new factory or aftermarket stock I bet.
"I think there are a few things that influence the "test" described above - I found out when making a stock for my wife, that the grip shape has a lot to do with where the trigger finger reaches or lays"
This is very true.
Most commercial rifle stocks with a "pistol grip" build them to appx fit 90% of adult shooters.
The new trend in stocks has gone to 90 degree pistol grips, which many folks find uncomfortable to hold.
When I was taught to shoot, we were taught to pull the rifle back into the shoulder with the extended hand on the fore stock.
Using the "pistol grip" to control shoulder contact is fine, from a rested fore arm, but not great for offhand shooting.
This is just my personal preference of course.
Yes, some people insist on using the hand that controls the trigger to pull the stock back to the shoulder as well and they shoot very well.
It's all about personal preference.
Good on Potashminer for going to the effort to make that rifles more comfortable for his wife/grandson.
Stock lengths are a personal preference and what suits one individual will be uncomfortable for another, even if they have close to identical physiques.
I have a friend with an extremely long neck and short arms.
By my measurements, his trigger length should be 13 inches.
Stocks this short cause him all sorts of discomfort during recoil.
His stock has a 14 1/4 inch pull length and he's always "reaching" for the trigger.
He shoots well enough, simply because he isn't afraid of the recoil and possible "scope cut" that is a real issue for him and his extra long neck.
Other folks like to hold their head right at the butt of the stock, often because they are right handed but left eye dominant and this allows them to use their left eye to shoot.
The list goes on.
Each to their own preference is fine. If it works and is comfortable, go for it
This is very true.
Most commercial rifle stocks with a "pistol grip" build them to appx fit 90% of adult shooters.
The new trend in stocks has gone to 90 degree pistol grips, which many folks find uncomfortable to hold.
When I was taught to shoot, we were taught to pull the rifle back into the shoulder with the extended hand on the fore stock.
Using the "pistol grip" to control shoulder contact is fine, from a rested fore arm, but not great for offhand shooting.
This is just my personal preference of course.
Yes, some people insist on using the hand that controls the trigger to pull the stock back to the shoulder as well and they shoot very well.
It's all about personal preference.
Good on Potashminer for going to the effort to make that rifles more comfortable for his wife/grandson.
Stock lengths are a personal preference and what suits one individual will be uncomfortable for another, even if they have close to identical physiques.
I have a friend with an extremely long neck and short arms.
By my measurements, his trigger length should be 13 inches.
Stocks this short cause him all sorts of discomfort during recoil.
His stock has a 14 1/4 inch pull length and he's always "reaching" for the trigger.
He shoots well enough, simply because he isn't afraid of the recoil and possible "scope cut" that is a real issue for him and his extra long neck.
Other folks like to hold their head right at the butt of the stock, often because they are right handed but left eye dominant and this allows them to use their left eye to shoot.
The list goes on.
Each to their own preference is fine. If it works and is comfortable, go for it
