I shortened the stock on my Ruger American Ranch

[TonyAngel]

Hey all,

Just an FYI. If you have an American Ranch and would like to shorten the stock, it appears that Ruger uses the same stock for the standard and compact models. If you remove the butt pad on a standard model and look inside the stock, you will see provisions for a butt pad for use in the shortened configuration.

I cut exactly 1.25" off of my Ranch stock and replaced the butt pad with a Limbsaver, model number 10824, which is the part for a Ruger Compact model. It fit perfectly.

 

[TonyAngel]

I had to do a little update. It occurred to me that I could have just ordered a replacement butt pad from Ruger for an American Compact and saved myself a bit of money, but after this weekend, I'm glad that I got the limbsaver.

When I first got the rifle, I shot about 200 rounds over the course of the weekend. On the morning of the second day, my shoulder felt a little sore. When I woke up after the second day, my shoulder downright hurt. Not real bad, but enough that I wasn't gonna do anymore shooting.

I did the same thing this weekend, but I had the Limbsaver on the rifle. In fact, I did more than 200 rounds. My shoulder isn't even sore. Not in the least. I guess the Limbsaver was worth the money.

 

[Nuke8401]

Just wondering why you shortened the stock?
Is it a length of pull issue or a change in how you want to hold the rifle?
I have a 5.56 Ranch and it fits me well when shooting it as I would any bolt gun. But you have me thinking about holding it more like an AR/more square to the body which would require a shorter stock (for me).
Either way, good info!
Thanks,
David

 

[trackskippy]

Ive been bitching about bolt gun LOP's ever since they stopped putting checkered steel butt plates on them and started putting recoil pads on everything.

And most dont even offer a replacement butt plate if you want to lose the recoil pad and get a proper LOP. Its decent of Ruger to at least give you the option.

 

[Gun-Reck]

Just wondering why you shortened the stock?
Is it a length of pull issue or a change in how you want to hold the rifle?
I have a 5.56 Ranch and it fits me well when shooting it as I would any bolt gun. But you have me thinking about holding it more like an AR/more square to the body which would require a shorter stock (for me).
Either way, good info!
Thanks,
David

I find that when mounting a rifle, my pectoral muscle adds about an inch to the LoP, and reaching for the bolt adds even more.

And even though I have a 73" wingspan, this requires the dismounting of the rifle to operate the bolt on most standard length stocks.

 

[trackskippy]

Most of your iron sighted era bolt guns didnt have recoil pads, had a lower comb (so your eye lined up with the sights), and a LOP of about 13". Just like most of the military guns. When shouldered properly, the shorter stocks are just easier and more natural to shoot with, especially when youre shooting from a field position.

Where you really notice the difference in LOP is when you quickly shoulder, shoot, and work the action of the gun in a more active/reactive manner, instead of shooting them off a bench/rest.

And the grabby, rubbery recoil pads only add to the issue, as they tend to catch on your clothing before you get them properly into your shoulder pocket, and screws up mounting the gun. If you shoulder the rifle properly, recoil isnt usually a problem, especially if you can move with the gun. Shooting off things dont allow that, like off a bench tends to just exaggerate that.

 

[ditmo]

I put the limbsaver on my 7.62x39 Ranch. Fits perfect and now field positions are much easier. The LOP on most commercial rifles is too long for me. I just add the cost of hacking off some of the stock and a recoil pad to the final price of most modern rifles/shotguns I'm considering. I actually got a youth stock from CZ for my 527. Now its one of my favorite rifles.

 

[TonyAngel]

Just wondering why you shortened the stock?
Is it a length of pull issue or a change in how you want to hold the rifle?
I have a 5.56 Ranch and it fits me well when shooting it as I would any bolt gun. But you have me thinking about holding it more like an AR/more square to the body which would require a shorter stock (for me).
Either way, good info!
Thanks,
David

I'm built kinda funny. I'm short at 5'4", but have what people have described as a stout build. The stock LOP on the American Ranch is 13.75". What all of this means is that I have a bit of trouble running the bolt with the rifle mounted when I'm wearing winter gear. Its also uncomfortable and the butt gets caught on my clothes.

Honestly, if you can do a clean and straight cut, keep the part you cut off and get some longer screws. You can use it as a spacer and go between lengths as you please. It's what I do on my rifles that don't have adjustable stocks.

 

[Nuke8401]

I'm built kinda funny. I'm short at 5'4", but have what people have described as a stout build. The stock LOP on the American Ranch is 13.75". What all of this means is that I have a bit of trouble running the bolt with the rifle mounted when I'm wearing winter gear. Its also uncomfortable and the butt gets caught on my clothes.

Honestly, if you can do a clean and straight cut, keep the part you cut off and get some longer screws. You can use it as a spacer and go between lengths as you please. It's what I do on my rifles that don't have adjustable stocks.

Thanks!

 

[9x56MS]

I have the opposite problem in that I need a 14 1/8" lop. I usually add a slip on limb saver pad over whatever comes standard.

 

[LoonWulf]

I have the opposite problem in that I need a 14 1/8" lop. I usually add a slip on limb saver pad over whatever comes standard.

On guns it dosent look ridiculous on i use cable stops under my recoil pads to get 14" or so. I can shoot them shorter and i have some short stock on guns with short barrels, but generally i prefer longer.

 

[9x56MS]

My European made rifles Mauser 98 commercial with 26” barrel and CZ550FS with 21” barrel both have 14 1/4” lop. So no issues there.

 

[Caplock]

I like a shorter length of pull on my stocks as well. Really noticed when I started buying youth rifles for my kids. Put a slip on recoil pad and those are just right. Wear a winter jacket no slip on pad.