Another discussion on stock dimensions

WonkyEye · Nov 6, 2024

I'm going to do up a try stock out of a scrap of 2x6 and 2x4 for a test fit, I just wanted to run these measurements past you guys to see if I'm grossly out of range. I'm 5'11", and I can say a kibler SMR feels short in LOP to me, but not unshootable. My favorite gun that I own is an over under shotgun with 2.75" drop and a slip on that brings it to 14.25" LOP, oranges to apples but it's something...

I'm targeting a specific JP Beck for architecture, but I am not able to get measurements like LOP, drop at heel, and pitch, even if I could I'd just use them as a starting point and fudge to what I think would fit me, which follows.

LOP: 14"
Drop at heel: 3.25"
Drop at comb: 2.25" (just a starting point, I'll see how it shoulders and adjust)
Cast off : .5"
Pitch: +3"

This will be dressed with a 42" .50 cal swamped barrel, and an early style wide butt with approx. 1 7/8" x 4 5/8" butt plate

Are there any big concerns? It's still just construction lumber at this point, so even if I do mess it up it just becomes firewood, err, even if I get it perfect eventually it will become firewood.

ChuckJonesWagon · Nov 6, 2024

I've tried to find the measurements of my last rifle build. This was for a small frame person or youth. I will tell you that the flatter the comb, the less "cheek slap" you will get from recoil. But my rifle is a 45 caliber so recoil (unlike my .54 cal) isn't much of an issue.

Your measurements appear good....even though the LOP appears to be a bit long. Also, I don't mess with a cast off for a flintlock as it's not something you would shoot as frequently as a shotgun. But that's a personal matter.

ronaldrothb49 · Nov 6, 2024

I am also 5' 11" like you so we should fit into that average shooter but also like you that doesn't fit me either. there is more to a rifle that fits than height. I weigh about 180 but knows guys my height that go 150 all the way to 230. We also are not going to have the same arm length. Some will have longer or shorter necks. I shoot best with a LOP of 13 3/4" a cast off of 1/4" or maybe a little more and a drop of about 3 1/4". I like the wide flat butt plates of early rifles, I hate the late deep crescent butt plates just cannot get used to shooting them off my arm instead of my shoulder. I used to shoot cross stick and Light bench. I made a new rifle once with a one of those deep crescent which was painful to shoot, redid the butt with a flat rubber butt plate before I even tried to compete with it.

rich pierce · Nov 6, 2024

A buttplate of 1 and 5/8” is on the narrow side, post-1800 if that matters. If you have a rifle with iron sights that fits, I’d use that as a general reference point.

WonkyEye · Nov 6, 2024

rich pierce said:
A buttplate of 1 and 5/8” is on the narrow side, post-1800 if that matters. If you have a rifle with iron sights that fits, I’d use that as a general reference point.

Sorry, I mis-stated. The casting is 1 7/8" at the widest part and 5" high, thanks for double checking me. Does that make more sense for an early Lebanon co?

I will be meeting up on Sunday for the monthly woods walk, I'll take a pair of rulers and ask a couple guys if I can shoulder their guns and measure the ones that feel right, maybe I can find a Goldilocks without having to mess with scrap wood.

WonkyEye · Nov 6, 2024

ronaldrothb49 said:
I am also 5' 11" like you so we should fit into that average shooter but also like you that doesn't fit me either. there is more to a rifle that fits than height. I weigh about 180 but knows guys my height that go 150 all the way to 230. We also are not going to have the same arm length. Some will have longer or shorter necks. I shoot best with a LOP of 13 3/4" a cast off of 1/4" or maybe a little more and a drop of about 3 1/4". I like the wide flat butt plates of early rifles, I hate the late deep crescent butt plates just cannot get used to shooting them off my arm instead of my shoulder. I used to shoot cross stick and Light bench. I made a new rifle once with a one of those deep crescent which was painful to shoot, redid the butt with a flat rubber butt plate before I even tried to compete with it.

Thanks, it sounds like I'm in the neighborhood for a reasonable starting point. Maybe less cast off or neutral though based on the other comment. I understand what you mean, I shot a fellow's rifle with one of those super curved bicep butts and really disliked it.

I found I like a bit of curve so the butt tends to hook my shoulder when shooting off hand and the right hand can almost hold the rifle up by itself, the left just steadies it. The Kibler SMR I mentioned is what I'm thinking of. It was a .40 and so light and pointy, I could shoulder and aim with just the right hand if I needed to. I'm going to have a heavier barrel profile, hard maple ( I think the other was curly red maple), and probably more meat on the fore stock so I won't get the same feel but if I can get even remotely close I'll be very happy.

ChuckJonesWagon · Nov 7, 2024

If you look at Lebanon buttplate's on TOTW they generally run 1-7/8"

Old Hugh · Nov 7, 2024

I have put cast-off into several stocks and do not think it all that beneficial. Cast-off is slightly helpful, but in my experience not truly worth the time and effort. As for LOP, if the gun is mainly for hunting and not target work, I generally go shorter because I will be wearing layers of heavy clothes. A stock that is a little short might be bothersome during warm months, but not that much if I wear a thin shoulder pad. I find a stock that is too long much harder to shoot than a stock that is too short.

SeaBee133 · Nov 11, 2024

6’2” 230#, all of my frequent/comfortable use long guns have 14.5-15” from leading edge of trigger to back of buttplate. My SASS 12g has a newest patent date of 1905, wears a Limbsaver pad over the factory buttplate to add 1-1.5” to the butt.
I actually prefer to shoot deep crescent butt guns. Rotator cuff (right side) is trashed, shooting off my bicep hurts a lot less.

Another discussion on stock dimensions

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Another discussion on stock dimensions

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