Because we have an issue with one skeet machine, we shot trap yesterday, and I saw one of the best examples of the importance of shotgun fit ever. One of the fellows showed up with an older Browning A-5, and he averaged 5-6 targets for three rounds. He was quite frustrated, so I offered my Citori 725 Trap gun to him for the last round, and he shot 18 or 19. The only change was the shotgun, which obviously fit him much better than his own gun. I have heard many people scoff at the importance of shotgun fit, but this was a great example as to how much difference the fit of a shotgun can make.
The Importance of Shotgun Fit
- Thread starter stubblejumper
- Start date
Or somebody 6'4" trying to make themselves fit a factory Remington 13.5" LOP. I shoot a 15" LOP now and wish I'd known what I do now 25 years ago.
Gun fit is the most important factor when it comes to a shotgun, even a rifle it’s important.
It affects point of impact, your ability to see the target, how the recoil is transmitted to your body and ultimately your score or success.
I’d venture to guess that 99% of shooters do not understand gun fit. Worse is that most of that 99% are convinced they know what fits.
When you pickup a gun and mount it and the beads are lined up, you think it fits, but most of the time you’d be completely wrong, looks like it might fit, but I can guarantee it’s doesnt
Very few people can pickup a factory gun and have a perfect fit, it does happen, but it’s rare.
Most people will however be satisfied with the fit and through the magic of the human brain compensate for the lack of proper fit.
Some may even go on to shoot very well like this, but they are fewer and farther between.
If you want to reach the top of any clay target game, you need to start with proper gun fit, unfortunately you need to start somewhere in order to eventually learn what proper fit is.
My best advice is to seek out professional instruction to learn how to properly mount a gun and proper shooting techniques and where to look for the target.
Then seek out a stock maker who has experience with competitive clay target shotguns, have them alter your stock for you. These people are few and far between, you may need to travel some distance, even another country to get the best.
Most gunsmiths are not qualified to do this.
Lastly and I can’t stress this enough, OPEN YOUR MIND!!!!! The first step to proper gunfit is to not believe you know better than everyone else. So often at gun clubs you’ll find frustrated shooters chasing those last couple targets, wondering aloud what they are doing wrong but are close minded to the experience of others.
Don’t be that guy.
It’s has to fit to hit.
Good gun fit also channels the recoil away from your face and spreads it evenly across the butt pad that is completely on your shoulder. This will make even shooting snappy 12ga handicap loads bearable and prevent you from developing a flinch.
It affects point of impact, your ability to see the target, how the recoil is transmitted to your body and ultimately your score or success.
I’d venture to guess that 99% of shooters do not understand gun fit. Worse is that most of that 99% are convinced they know what fits.
When you pickup a gun and mount it and the beads are lined up, you think it fits, but most of the time you’d be completely wrong, looks like it might fit, but I can guarantee it’s doesnt
Very few people can pickup a factory gun and have a perfect fit, it does happen, but it’s rare.
Most people will however be satisfied with the fit and through the magic of the human brain compensate for the lack of proper fit.
Some may even go on to shoot very well like this, but they are fewer and farther between.
If you want to reach the top of any clay target game, you need to start with proper gun fit, unfortunately you need to start somewhere in order to eventually learn what proper fit is.
My best advice is to seek out professional instruction to learn how to properly mount a gun and proper shooting techniques and where to look for the target.
Then seek out a stock maker who has experience with competitive clay target shotguns, have them alter your stock for you. These people are few and far between, you may need to travel some distance, even another country to get the best.
Most gunsmiths are not qualified to do this.
Lastly and I can’t stress this enough, OPEN YOUR MIND!!!!! The first step to proper gunfit is to not believe you know better than everyone else. So often at gun clubs you’ll find frustrated shooters chasing those last couple targets, wondering aloud what they are doing wrong but are close minded to the experience of others.
Don’t be that guy.
It’s has to fit to hit.
Good gun fit also channels the recoil away from your face and spreads it evenly across the butt pad that is completely on your shoulder. This will make even shooting snappy 12ga handicap loads bearable and prevent you from developing a flinch.
PinkyPlinker
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kenora, ON
So... where does one find someone knowledgeable in the field of shotgun fit?
Any shotgun, can, and should, to be made to fit anybody. It is a simple fact. All one has to do, is get their wallet out. Most don't, but still want to talk about fit on non adjustable factory guns. No one, in the know, would scoff at fit.
R.
I wish that shotgun sales were of the same playing field as compound bows.
As a bow hunter turned skeet shooter, I realized the similarities between both instruments, and came to the conclusion that the sales counter, and purchase culture of shotguns are light years behind bow sales.
Although the same rules for fit and eye dominance remain true.
As a bow hunter turned skeet shooter, I realized the similarities between both instruments, and came to the conclusion that the sales counter, and purchase culture of shotguns are light years behind bow sales.
Although the same rules for fit and eye dominance remain true.
Reading it now. Impressed so far.
I used to shoot competitive archery, and while you have a better chance of finding some one knowledgeable selling bows, there are still far too many "bow techs" who cant fit a bow. At least there are some specialized shops with guys who do know how to set up a bow.
At the risk of being branded a heretic, gun fit is important but should not be obsessed over. It is less important in pre-mounted games like skeet and trap where shooters will often fit themselves to the gun but more important to someone shooting move-mount-shoot. Even when shooting low gun with a stock that doesn't fit the shooter may make subtle mount or stance changes to accommodate the difference.
To determine whether a gun fits requires a patterning board. Mount the shotgun at a distance of 16 yards with a tight choke and shoot. If the pattern is centered the then the gun fits.
I've gone through a formal gun fit session in the UK. Today all of my guns are reasonably close in measurements but hardly identical. The biggest variation is in LOP which is probably the least important measurement. Drop and cast IMO are more important and often overlooked is pitch which can affect the felt recoil. The installation of a pitch spacer on an o/u resulted in a significant reduction in face slap.
To determine whether a gun fits requires a patterning board. Mount the shotgun at a distance of 16 yards with a tight choke and shoot. If the pattern is centered the then the gun fits.
I've gone through a formal gun fit session in the UK. Today all of my guns are reasonably close in measurements but hardly identical. The biggest variation is in LOP which is probably the least important measurement. Drop and cast IMO are more important and often overlooked is pitch which can affect the felt recoil. The installation of a pitch spacer on an o/u resulted in a significant reduction in face slap.
No. I won't brand you a heretic. However, you have years of experience backing your abilities and opinions.
However, most people getting involved early on in the game, are pushing uphill unnecessarily for a long time, only because they never knew any better.
It's disheartening to watch a young fella trying out trap, and watching him hold the gun like a rifle.
They should make it mandatory for gun manufacturers to make all sporting versions of their guns with adjustable combs and butt plates.
However, most people getting involved early on in the game, are pushing uphill unnecessarily for a long time, only because they never knew any better.
It's disheartening to watch a young fella trying out trap, and watching him hold the gun like a rifle.
They should make it mandatory for gun manufacturers to make all sporting versions of their guns with adjustable combs and butt plates.
I had a long talk with a browning rep about exactly that this summer, not thinking I won.
Agree, Learned a lot from Rollin's book
