Stock Placement, arm or shoulder?

[Darkhorse]

Years ago when I bought a GPR I had trouble shooting it well until I started holding it high on the upper bicep. Suddenly the sights lined up right the first time and the gun was a lot more comfortable to shoot. I never could make the shoulder hold work well with that gun.
Now mostly what I shoot are the Lancaster types with the wide comfortable buttplates. Those do need to be shot off the shoulder.
If you have a deep crescent buttplated rifle you should at least give shooting off the bicep an honest chance. You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[mageckman]

I have a 50 cal hawken style rifle with the crescent buttplate like you were talkin about. I have always shot it with the butt in the shoulder pocket with my elbow out and up. it was the way I was taught. if I move the placement of the butt plate, my shots are way off, usually up and down. And as for the powder charge issue that someone posted about, the most I have ever loaded my rifle up with was about 80 grains and that was for shootin at 100 yards. For hunting,unless you are hunting elephants, :rotf: a well placed shot beats the "knockdown power" some of these people think they need, every time. Mageckman

 

[roundball]

I have a 50 cal hawken style rifle with the crescent buttplate like you were talkin about. I have always shot it with the butt in the shoulder pocket with my elbow out and up. it was the way I was taught. if I move the placement of the butt plate, my shots are way off, usually up and down. And as for the powder charge issue that someone posted about, the most I have ever loaded my rifle up with was about 80 grains and that was for shootin at 100 yards. For hunting,unless you are hunting elephants, :rotf: a well placed shot beats the "knockdown power" some of these people think they need, every time. Mageckman

Curious how many deer you've killed at 100yds with the .50cal Hawken?
Were they patched balls? Conicals?
Thanks

 

[Stumpkiller]

Shoulder.

I agree, DF, that's one of the reasons I got rid of my T/C Hawkins over other guns that I have...AND why I like the Lehigh Valley Rifle that I just got. It's got a nice comfortable shape to the stock and butt-plate...I...I...I think I'm in love...

You're preachin to the choir, Preacher. Give me a nice 1-3/4" or 2" wide and slightly curved buttplate every time.

My first .22LR was a M12 Remington pump (octagonal barrel, crescent buttplate) and I must have ripped the pocket on a dozen shirts over the years with that rifle (back when even "outdoor" kids wore shirts with buttons and pockets).

I don't care to shoot a deep buttplate in anything over a low to medium caliber. I think it's something like high-heeled shoes and fins on Cadillacs. Style over function.

 

[john12865]

I agree, I use 50 cal. 80 grs for hunting the big ground rats out to 100 yrds and 35 grs for the tree rats. A 50 cal. just removes their little heads and saves me the trouble of having to cut it off. It's very humane. :grin: Shot placement is the key. :thumbsup: Almost forgot, I shoot off the bicep, more natural and accurate for me.

 

[Pittsburghunter]

Just a guess but if I recall most of the time these folks were wearing thick clothing even in warm weather so maybe the points on the buttplate kept the rifle steady on the shoulder. The clothing helped absorb any impact from the shot.

I like the stirrup idea as well.

 

[Sully]

Shoot it off the arm (above the bicep) It is very comfortable for me even with heavy loads out of my Hawken. I also have a bad shoulder and this does not hurt it at all.

 

[robinghewitt]

My ancestors emigrated from Old Blighty in the early 1600's. And they told me you were full of IT. What ever "IT" is ... LOL!

Okay, I can quite understand that you are all in denial, after all, the truth hurts :blah:

Compare this gun with the maker's original advertising wood cut and tell me the crescent isn't a selling point :grin:

 

[dwarvenchef]

I also shoot off the arm, every time I try to use the shoulder pocket I end up smacking my colar bone in the recoil and a second shot is not going to happen. The TC Hawken but plate fits my arm snugly and concistantly(sp). Can us that hold all day at the range.

 

[Zonie]

Robin: The picture you presented to us:

This is obviously an American ploy aimed at folks overseas to frighten them away. :rotf:

That you have the one gun that was actually made somewhat like the one in the woodcut is an incredible good fortune!
Perhaps, years ago, someone sent it to Great Britain to prove one existed. :grin: