[DeBee]

A small story- on TFL a while back, I posted about excessive recoil with my 1903 Springfield Express rifle in .30-06 finally figuring the chamber was too tight or I was turning into a wuss or something and I put the gun on the rack and moved on to other projects...

Recently, I took the gun down for a rubdown, and while hunting some leopards in my den- shouldering the rifle and dry firing- I happened to look in a mirror and noticed the buttpad was at least 1/3 above my shoulder pocket meaning only 2/3 of the stock was actually contacting my shoulder when touching off those 180 grainers- Hmmmm... little wonder it was painful to shoot.

I'm going to re-do the old gal for 2003. I want the stock to fit me this time. Can anyone direct me to a link, a book, reference or anything related to stockfitting???


P.S. I had an epiphany when I shouldered a .500 Jeffery rifle made by Jeffery at the last gunshow- the rifle was at least 10 or 12 lbs but the way it swung up to my shoulder and hung there perfectly and effortlessly blew my little mind. The stock work was slim and flawless. I was actually thinking I could fire the thing!

[dfariswheel]

You'd probably want to check with Brownell's on this. They sell a bunch of books on gunsmithing and stocking of guns.
I've seen several "classic" books on gunstock fitting and making.

Most of the fitting info is on shotguns, but most of that will translate to rifles.

If they don't have what you need on their web site, give them a call, and they will recommend something. These people LIVE for customer service.

http://www.brownells.com

[Traveler]

Design & fit of a rifle stock is quite different than that of a shotgun. "Gunsmiths" who understand both are rare. I know of no single book dedicated to the fit of a rifle stock. Howe's long out of print "The Modern Gunsmith" does a very good job of discussing rifle stock design for fit.

The biggest difference is that the rifle must be made in such a way as to allow shooting from even prone positions. This can change the position of the stock in not a little bit. The people who shoot from predominantly prone positions in competition will have stocks that look quite different from offhand shooters. (If their stocks are correctly fitted).

However the hunter rarely wants to carry around a gunstock such as is used in competition. Compromises occur.

For the shotgunner I highly recommend Yardley's book "Gunfitting", which I understand is now also out of print. It go in depth into the fitting of a modern sporting gun (by which the English mean shotgun).

By far the majority of sportsman, and gun owners, have never shot a gun fitted to them, although some may have changed the LOP.

The best advise I can give you is to stay away from anyone who thinks you can determine LOP by the length of your forearm.

[DeBee]

I feel as if the knowledge of the "Old School" of gunsmithing is fading into obscurity...

That Jefferies rifle was a good fit for me, and I've taken steps to see if I can get a copy or a pattern stock. I'm a stocky (no pun) person and the factory stocks or common semi inlets just don't do it for me... Hey the gun was only $6500- too bad it wasn't a .30-06

The Howe books are $200 for the set! Maybe the library has this one??? Definitely checking into the Howe book- I've been wanting this tome...

I'll shoot an email out to Brownell's Tech Department- gotta love those guys- my new catalog is already dog earred...