LOP & Drop to heal

[Andrewmtnman]

Probably a silly question to most of you. Can someone explain these and how they should relate to me looking for a ML, I if at all? If Lop is important how would I measure accurately what would fit me best, assuming it’s similar to a draw length with a bow. I’m guessing drop to heal is a measurement from the plane of the barrel to the tip of heal??

 

[rchas]

You can get a close estimate of Length of Pull by measuring from the inside of your bent elbow to your slightly crooked trigger finger. Most manufactured firearms have 13.5 to 14.5 inches. I tend to do well with 13.5.

Two drop measurements are important - drop to the heel (as you said) and drop to the comb. A rifle with a long heel and short comb drop can be uncomfortable to shoot as they can be a "cheek-buster".

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

 

[Andrewmtnman]

You can get a close estimate of Length of Pull by measuring from the inside of your bent elbow to your slightly crooked trigger finger. Most manufactured firearms have 13.5 to 14.5 inches. I tend to do well with 13.5.

Two drop measurements are important - drop to the heel (as you said) and drop to the comb. A rifle with a long heel and short comb drop can be uncomfortable to shoot as they can be a "cheek-buster".

Thanks for explaining rchas. Makes sense

 

[EC121]

If you close your eyes and sight your rifle with a comfortable hold, then open your eyes, the gun should be level with the sights approx. lined up. You shouldn't have the gun pointed skyward. If so, the rifle doesn't have enough drop. Too much drop or the wrong comb angle and you can also get cheek buster. There is a sweet spot , but it differs for the individual. That is why the big name custom shotgun makers have a "try " gun with everything adjustable to fit the gun to the customer.

 

[dave951]

One other way to evaluate a rifle is to pick a distant point. Close you eyes and mount the rifle as if aiming. Open and see where you're pointing. Repeat several times and you'll get a feel for your natural point of aim and if the LOP and heel are right for you. Left to right is your stance relative to target.

If the rifle fits correctly, it will consistently come up on your point with your eyes closed. If it's elevated or lower, you should think about stock fit.

One other thing is Cast. No perfectly fitted stock will be absolutely straight. There will be a touch of a "bend" at the wrist.

Good luck, a perfectly fitted stock is a unicorn in muzzleloading.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Good luck, a perfectly fitted stock is a unicorn in muzzleloading.

Not always if you build it yourself or have a stocker who knows what he is doing build the rifle. It is true with factory stocks. They are made to fit Joe Average and a person has to adapt himself to the stock rather than the other way around. As I've mentioned before LOP can be hard to determine depending on the use of the rifle. If you are target shooting in shirtsleeves in the summer you will want a longer LOP than if you're hunting in the winter with a heavy coat and maybe a backpack. It takes some compromising to have it feel right in both situations but in the end as long as it close it will work. The thing to do in the beginning is to try as many rifles as you can get your hands on and get the measurements off of the ones that feel right. If you have to bear down hard on the comb to line up the sights you can be pretty sure it will be a cheek buster when you shoot it.

 

[dave951]

Not always if you build it yourself or have a stocker who knows what he is doing build the rifle. It is true with factory stocks. They are made to fit Joe Average and a person has to adapt himself to the stock rather than the other way around. As I've mentioned before LOP can be hard to determine depending on the use of the rifle. If you are target shooting in shirtsleeves in the summer you will want a longer LOP than if you're hunting in the winter with a heavy coat and maybe a backpack. It takes some compromising to have it feel right in both situations but in the end as long as it close it will work. The thing to do in the beginning is to try as many rifles as you can get your hands on and get the measurements off of the ones that feel right. If you have to bear down hard on the comb to line up the sights you can be pretty sure it will be a cheek buster when you shoot it.

If you're making it yourself, then it's entirely possible but in a mass produced rifle, good luck, especially if it's military.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

Good tips. I’ll try closing the eyes trick and see how that feels on some of my current rifles. I have access to a couple ML and I’ll measure and see how they feel as well. That won’t be until I get back next week. Going to shoot some hogs, hopefully

 

[George]

Try this link.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bspen/fit.html
Spence

 

[FiremanBrad]

They are most people’s excuse to not buy a gun from the classifieds.

 

[William O.]

Probably a silly question to most of you. Can someone explain these and how they should relate to me looking for a ML, I if at all? If Lop is important how would I measure accurately what would fit me best, assuming it’s similar to a draw length with a bow. I’m guessing drop to heal is a measurement from the plane of the barrel to the tip of heal??

Not a silly question!!! This is about as important as it gets when it comes to buying a long gun or having one made just to fit you perfectly. I can sum it up by saying that when all those measurements are correct for you, then you should be able to close your eyes and shoulder the weapon, open your eyes to see that the sights are lined up, no adjusting of your head or hands is necessary. You should have the weapon fit you and not have to fit yourself to the weapon.
My first semi custom muzzle loader is like that and even though it is very much a Frankenstein gun, utilizing most parts of an old Lyman Trade Gun the stock was carved just for me.

 

[Eric Krewson]

When I stared making guns I made a try stock to see what I needed to have a gun fit me perfectly. Like stated above, when I close my eyes and shoulder my rifles the sights are in perfect alignment when I open my eyes. Very crude but it works perfectly, the swivel adjusts for drop and pull.

 

[rich pierce]

Most people can shoot a modern pump shotgun off the shelf and don’t worry about length of pull or drop because they fit the average shooter well enough. One can get into trouble monkeying around too much with length of pull. I made my first flintlock too long based on “expert advice” and I have to crawl the stock to line things up. Rarely does a shooter need a LOP greater than 13.5”.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Choose a comfortable length of pull. Dont go by the crook of the arm thing. It just needs to be short enough to mount easily with whatever clothing you plan but long enough so you don't have your thumb up your nose. Once that LOP is chosen, then and only then can you determine your drops on a non parallel stock.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

When I stared making guns I made a try stock to see what I needed to have a gun fit me perfectly. Like stated above, when I close my eyes and shoulder my rifles the sights are in perfect alignment when I open my eyes. Very crude but it works perfectly, the swivel adjusts for drop and pull.

View attachment 120845View attachment 120846

That looks like a perfect tool to do just that

 

[frankie]

Pick up several rifles until you find one that fits you good. Then take that rifle and measure from the front face of the trigger to the middle of the buttplate. that is your LOP. Its better to have too short length of pull than to long. When you do this make sure you have the shirt and jacket (thickness) on that you most likely will be wearing when you shoot. Too thick of a coat will effect your lop.