Short LOP Woes

[Estix]

Hi all. I am very new here, and looking to get my first gun. It is going to be a hunting rifle, but I have run into an issue. I am a short girl with short arms. I Have shot a Savage .243, and it was ok, but the LOP was at max length for me.

Going into a local gun store, I got measured, and have come up with a tiny 12.5" LOP for best comfort. I can make a 13" work, but it would be my last option.

Looking around I have found that even some of the youth rifles have a 13"+ LOP! All I've really found with the short 12.5" LOP are Rossi (which I have read are hit and miss and only single shot) and the Savage Lady Hunter (I don't have $800 to put into my first gun).

So now I am asking you good folks what I can find in a good quality, not too pricey rifle with a short LOP. (preferably a .243)

 

[floorit76]

You don't have to get a new rifle. Companies like Boyds make replacement stocks that are drop in fit, and they're quite inexpensive. I just put one on a Rem 700 for $100. It's laminate wood, and could be cut to any length you like. Or even cut into wafers that you could add or subtract. I too have a very short LOP. And after being laughed at by all the major stock reps at last years NRA show, I decided to do things myself.

 

[LeonCarr]

Have you tried the pawn shops? You can find a good used wood stock (easier to shorten) .243, have the stock shortened by a good gunsmith and have a good recoil pad installed for a lot less than 800 bucks, and that would include scope and mounts.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[243winxb]

Savage Arms Model 11/111 Lady Hunter 12 1/2" LOP $840 list price. In this issue of American Rifleman.

 

[Haxby]

Pretty sure Ruger, Remington, and Savage all make youth or compact models with a 12.5" or so LOP. And Weatherby Vanguard, maybe.
And H&R or NEF single shots.

 

[Estix]

I have checked the pawns in my area, and no youths out there other than a Howa with a 13" LOP. There isn't a great gun smith here that I know of other than one, and he is booked up.
There is a pawn here that I can ship to, and have been looking for good guns new or used. I like the Savage youth Hunter, but it is shown at 13" LOP.
I have read into the Rem 770, but it looks like a "throw away" gun. The Ruger is a lot shorter barrel than I'd really like to have and shoot. The Wetherby Vanguard has a rifling of 1:10... is that good? I don't want a single shot and would rather a 13" LOP than that. Browning has the Xbolt Micro that looks great over all, but is at the very top of my price range and I can't find it in a .243 yet.

I am super new to this, and like to not spend over $700 for gun and scope. I'd like a detachable box mag. Am I just being too picky?

 

[chicharrones]

Here's a few in .243 with a short length of pull.

These are around $280 near me. 20" barrel.
Mossberg Bantam

These are as low as $350 near me and have 18" barrels.
Ruger American Rifle Compact

A bit pricier here around $730 near me for the stainless model. These have the 16.5" barrels though.
Ruger M77 Hawkeye Compact

 

[25cschaefer]

If you are near Trinidad, the students at TSJC will shorten a stock and install a butt pad for the cost of parts, we also appreciate a donation to our gun club.

 

[Art Eatman]

Shortening a stock? The job itself is very simple. A cabinet-maker could do it quite easily. A very fine-tooth saw and a saw-guide. A small belt-sander to trim the butt pad to size. Pilot drill for the screws holding the butt pad in place.

 

[bpl]

Estix,

If you buy a nice used rifle with a wood stock, you can have a gunsmith cut the stock down for you and install/reinstall the recoil pad. Personally, I'd get a Winchester 70 Featherweight in .243 and chop the stock. If you look around, you may find a nice new one even with your budget. I bought one in .243 three years ago for $599 at gander mtn brand new. They had one in .308 for the same price...wish I'd had the money for both! Anyway, I bought the .243 for my daughter, who had just been born. I intend to chop the stock to 12.5 or 13" depending on her size when she gets older.

A remington model 7 youth is a good option with 12.5 LOP. We have one in 7mm-08 that my son uses and I've even used in cold weather and while wearing lots of layers that short LOP is quite nice!

If you buy a common rifle (winchester 70/remington 700/7, ruger 77/savage 10/110) you can easily purchase an aftermarket stock built to your specs and budget.

The .243 is a round that benefits from a bit longer barrel. I'd prefer 22-24" and certainly no shorter than 20".

 

[Woolecox]

Cut one down

Estix,

If you buy a nice used rifle with a wood stock, you can have a gunsmith cut the stock down for you and install/reinstall the recoil pad. Personally, I'd get a Winchester 70 Featherweight in .243 and chop the stock.

Very good advise. Real gunsmiths are hard to find and real good gunsmiths are very rare birds. You may have to ship the rifle to someone. Not a big deal because no transfer is involved. I know of several who are more than capable in the state of TX. Where are you?

It is not that hard of a DYI project if you have the tools and are willing to learn how to contour a recoil pad to a stock.

You might also consider the 270 caliber. I got a model 70 Super Grade this year in 270. It is one of the finest rifles I have ever owned.

Good luck,
Wooly

 

[JShirley]

Welcome to THR.

I also have a 12.5 LOP. Ways to deal:

Combloc firearms usually have much shorter stocks;
Adjustable LOP stocks (I installed an Axiom stock on my Howa);
Youth rifles like the Ruger compact mentioned.

There really are many more short-stock options now than just a few years ago.

Peace,

John

 

[baz]

Gander Mountain sells the Mossberg Super Bantam scoped for $399. It has an adjustable LOP of 12-13". It does not have a detachable mag. It will be hard to find that, I think, in your price range. I have no experience with Mossberg riles, so you might want to see if you can find reviews elsewhere. Given the choice between the Mossberg, and the Ruger American Compact, I'd personally go with the latter, the 18" barrel notwithstanding (I'd just stay with the lighter bullets). My reasons for choosing the Ruger are (1) I have other Rugers, and like them, and (2) I am actually partial to carbine length rifles for field use. I probably wouldn't try to shoot an antelope at 500 yards, though.