length of trigger pull
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In lieu of many guns to try have the person crook his shooting arm in the up position, place a rifle or shotgun in the crook and extend the trigger finger. His length of pull is from the butt to where the first joint of the trigger finger is.
But the best method as mentioned is to try different guns, especially for drop.
But the best method as mentioned is to try different guns, especially for drop.
Just build it with a 13 and a half inch pull unless the person is really short or long.
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if you look in The Gunsmith of Grenville County, Pete Alexander shows how to build a try- stock out of a bit of scrap plywood. if you check this out, it will also show how to get a good idea for drop at heel and drop at comb.
i was going to build one of these gizmos, but i happened upon an old shotgun which fit mperfectly, so i used those measurements instead
good luck!
msw
i was going to build one of these gizmos, but i happened upon an old shotgun which fit mperfectly, so i used those measurements instead
good luck!
msw
My squirrel rifle fits me to a "T" and I build the new LRs accordingly and the area where the cheek rests is always compared to this rifle. A 13- 5/8" to 13-3/4" LOP seems to suit well. I've sold a number of LRS and "Hawkens" and am lucky that what fits me, fits most other people....have never had a complaint as regards "the fit" and "lining up".....Fred
paulvallandigham
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There are two different lengths of pull seen on Muzzle loaders, depending on the kind of buttplate that will be on your gun. If you are shooting a Hawken styled gun, with the severe half moon buttplate, it is designed to be mounted out on your upper arm. Generally, such a rifle requires a longer LOP to fit properly. Otherwise, you find yourself laying your face down on top of the comb, and looking down the sights sideways, only to have that gun rise up and smack you in the cheekbone when it goes off. The rifle should be brought to your face, not the face to the rifle to avoid this little surprise.
The other style of buttplate is flatter and is often referred to as the " Shotgun style " buttplate. It is to be mounted in the pocket of your shoulder created by raising your elbow up even iwth the height of your shoulder. This brings the rifle closer to the center of your body, which shortens the LOP needed to fit you well. Mount this kind of stock by lifting the gun up, and bring it back to your should and cheek in one movement, while you face the target with your head up.
With the longer drop at comb of most " shotgun style " buttplate guns, the LOP is often much shorter. I have used an antique shotgun that has much drop at the comb( center of comb to a line extending back from the top of the barrel) and about 3 inches of drop at the heel( top of the buttplate). It had only 12 1/2 inches LOP, but It came right to my line of sight every time. I am over 6 feet tall, and most of my guns, with less drop at comb, are 13 1/2 inches LOP. For a Hawken style gun, I have to have my LOP set at 14 inches, and more to shoot the gun comfortably.
I bought a stock gauge from Brownell's years ago, and have put it to good use over the years. I can guarantee you that I pulled that gauge out when I had that antique shotgun with the 12 1/2 inch LOP to find out how in the heck that gun could possibly fit me, and feel so right!
The other style of buttplate is flatter and is often referred to as the " Shotgun style " buttplate. It is to be mounted in the pocket of your shoulder created by raising your elbow up even iwth the height of your shoulder. This brings the rifle closer to the center of your body, which shortens the LOP needed to fit you well. Mount this kind of stock by lifting the gun up, and bring it back to your should and cheek in one movement, while you face the target with your head up.
With the longer drop at comb of most " shotgun style " buttplate guns, the LOP is often much shorter. I have used an antique shotgun that has much drop at the comb( center of comb to a line extending back from the top of the barrel) and about 3 inches of drop at the heel( top of the buttplate). It had only 12 1/2 inches LOP, but It came right to my line of sight every time. I am over 6 feet tall, and most of my guns, with less drop at comb, are 13 1/2 inches LOP. For a Hawken style gun, I have to have my LOP set at 14 inches, and more to shoot the gun comfortably.
I bought a stock gauge from Brownell's years ago, and have put it to good use over the years. I can guarantee you that I pulled that gauge out when I had that antique shotgun with the 12 1/2 inch LOP to find out how in the heck that gun could possibly fit me, and feel so right!
i like long pulls.. im 5 foot 9 and like 14 to 14 1/4" pulls.. shorter stocks get too much finger onto the trigger,and bend my elboe too sharply, pinching my wrist for a comfortable pull.(for me). i must raise the gun with the butt out of the socket and pull it in when clear of clothing with long stocks. but any stock can get hungup if raised wrong. the really best way to find out what your best pull lenght is to go to a box store, buy a cheap bb gun. i like red rider. yes they have terrible triggers, but thats good believe it or not.. then with a jig saw or band saw cut out a piece of board the lenght and comb, height you like.. knotch out the board for the bb gun stock and tape it on.. tape a 30 inch stick to the barrel and put a red round head map pin on the end.. sight it in and shoot 1000 rounds, raise the stock, lower it lenghten it shorten it untill it comes up naturally and shoots well.. tough way to go, but you asked.. yes i did it, not becouse i wanted to find pull, but becouse i wanted to learn how to shoot shotgun properly.. 50 rounds a day for a couple years will show you how to point and hit quite well, cure flinching and correct all kinds of ills.. youl be popping ping pong balls with a snap shot, swinging on a 1/2 inch stick stuck strait up in a bail of hay and hitting them regulary at 20-30 feet by summer.. put a block of wood in a creek and shoot it on the move if you like.. i found swinging on a stick upright in a bail of hay got my timing down just fine.. when you shoot at a moving object its moving with your swing and actually easier. becouse it is going slower . :hmm: you may need to think on that one a bit.:grin:. the lead is reversed but your mind will easily get it strait if you shoot some clays once a week. when you pick up that cannon and fire it at your target, your mind wont know its a real gun until after its gone off.. you dont need to be as picky with rifles as with smoothbores, but fit will definitly make you a better shooter in my opinion.. dave.
This is not all that complicated. I've made rifles for several fellas who were 6' 4" or taller and thier guns fit them to a "T", as thou they were right there in the shop.
Measure from the inside of your elbow to the first knuckle from the end of your index finger. That distance is your "Pull". If you want a longer pull, add 1/2". If you plan on using it only for hunting in the winter, subtract 1/2".
Hoot Al :winking:
Measure from the inside of your elbow to the first knuckle from the end of your index finger. That distance is your "Pull". If you want a longer pull, add 1/2". If you plan on using it only for hunting in the winter, subtract 1/2".
Hoot Al :winking:
Mike Brooks
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When I measure myself that way I get a whopping 16". I'm comfortable shooting 13 1/2" to 14". I can shoot guns with pulls as short as 12" if the drop is correct.Hoot Al said:
Stophel
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Everytime someone tells me they need a 14" pull length, I ask them "are you 6' 6" tall?". "no, about 5'10"". "Thirteen and a half inches...trust me" I tell them. "OK, you know what you're doing".
When they get the gun invariably I will hear "WOW, you were right about the pull length...it's just right! All my other guns feel too long to me now!" :winking:
I am 6'2" tall with a 37" shirt sleeve length. I can shoot a gun with a pull length down to about 12 1/2" (barely), and anything over 13 3/4" is hard to shoulder as it likes to stay in my armpit! 13 1/2" is about right for me too. I have one old German bird gun from about 1760 that feels absolutely perfect to me. The pull length is 13 3/8".
When they get the gun invariably I will hear "WOW, you were right about the pull length...it's just right! All my other guns feel too long to me now!" :winking:
I am 6'2" tall with a 37" shirt sleeve length. I can shoot a gun with a pull length down to about 12 1/2" (barely), and anything over 13 3/4" is hard to shoulder as it likes to stay in my armpit! 13 1/2" is about right for me too. I have one old German bird gun from about 1760 that feels absolutely perfect to me. The pull length is 13 3/8".
paulvallandigham
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I had the same experience with that old Elbow to knuckle measurement. Some people just have long forearms! Others have long necks, or short necks.
Each can be important in fitting a stock. The same for broad shoulders and narrow shoulders. I have ofund it easier to find a common LOP when fitting a stock to be placed in the pocket, than when working with a rifle that is to be placed in the upper arm. I am sure that this is because the pocket on all people is closer to the face than the upper arm. That 230 year old Tower Flintlock Double Barrel shotgun I had a chance to handle with its short 12 1/2 LOP proved to me that the elbow to knuckle measurement was not the only way to go, and that it seems to work best with modern guns, with high combs, and scope sights.
Anybody know of any scale available to relate drop at comb, drop at heel, and LOP? Surely some stock maker has come up with such a scale or table that he uses. Or is it someone's trade secret?
Paul
Each can be important in fitting a stock. The same for broad shoulders and narrow shoulders. I have ofund it easier to find a common LOP when fitting a stock to be placed in the pocket, than when working with a rifle that is to be placed in the upper arm. I am sure that this is because the pocket on all people is closer to the face than the upper arm. That 230 year old Tower Flintlock Double Barrel shotgun I had a chance to handle with its short 12 1/2 LOP proved to me that the elbow to knuckle measurement was not the only way to go, and that it seems to work best with modern guns, with high combs, and scope sights.
Anybody know of any scale available to relate drop at comb, drop at heel, and LOP? Surely some stock maker has come up with such a scale or table that he uses. Or is it someone's trade secret?
Paul
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