Stock Cast off

[M. De Land]

Probably it should be mentioned that a comb is not the same as a cheek rest although they often blend together.
Cheek rests really are an alternate and some times adjustment to cast off and drop. Occasionally they are just for show.

 

[jerrywh]

The article doesn't explain toe in or toe out. Some people hold a gun on a slant. The toe in or out compensates for that.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Indeed. That's also why competition guns have adjustable butt plates that way. I shoot my competition .22 with the BP pretty neutral in prone, but toed in in standing.

By this article, pitch is the angle from the heel to the breech, (but probably the more relevant thing would be from where the BP engages your shoulder, to the bore center line) and comb angle has no bearing on it. Thus, a Jaeger and a SMR could have the same pitch (assuming the same barrel length), though the comb angles are vastly different. The SMR is going to want to hit your cheek harder than the Jaeger. Of course, BP width and shape also matter. A wider contour-hugging BP isn't going to compress your body as much upon recoil as a skinnier flatter one.

I have a hunch that the only really relevant information coming out of the pitch number is the propensity of the gun to experience muzzle flip.

 

[crockett]

One other point, in many instances you don't need that much, maybe 1/4" to 3/16". I would think 1/2" is too much but remember, this cast off business is similar to a shotgun, you tailor the amount to your body structure.
There are 2 or 3 votes for the benefits and I'll add another. The first time you raise that rifle to your shoulder and BINGO the sights are right on target. As stated, you'll never go back.
The benefit is fast shooting or snap shooting. If you have time to take aim and get your eye lined up- the rifle is the rifle. Cast off does not make the rifle more accurate and in an open area with plenty of time to shoot it isn't much help but in woods and walking game, etc. where time is everything, I think it is a definite plus.

 

[M. De Land]

The main reason stock fit is important to a target shooter is the fatigue factor that causes lost points over a long match. The less one has to compensate for fit the steadier they can hold on target when they begin to tire.

 

[Darkhorse]

I did a lot of research into shotgun fit some years ago and decided it was more complicated than my simple way of doing things.
This rifle has 1/4" of cast ON for a LH shooter. When the gun was mostly complete I super glued a set of iron sights on the barrel, then closed my eyes and mounted the rifle, of course the sights were off. So I would just rasp a little here and there, quickly mount the rifle to check the sights, then take a little more wood off. Until finally the sights were on when the rifle was mounted and it just felt more comfortable.
This is as close to a custom fit for me, the user, as I can get with my limited skill level. I'm not interested in anymore rifles without cast.