Shotgun recommendation and more.

[DocRock]

I think this is the issue. When shouldered it doesn’t touch my face like say my stoeger 20ga does.

That sounds like low comb, which can make it hard to get a consistent mount and sight picture. You can get a strap on comb riser, but far be it from me to discourage a new, or new to you, gun purchase. People really don't seem to grasp how important fit is to getting a consistent mount and, thereby, enhancing the likelihood of hitting what you aim at. Whatever type of gun you decide on, you really need to have someone who knows what they are doing help you with fit. A new gun that doesnt fit well will be a disappointment.

 

[George P]

If you actually DO need to raise the comb, the look at the Beartooth kit- it uses a neoprene sleeve and comes with several thicknesses of foam inserts to help you get what you need; costs is like $20 or so

 

[Axis II]

If you actually DO need to raise the comb, the look at the Beartooth kit- it uses a neoprene sleeve and comes with several thicknesses of foam inserts to help you get what you need; costs is like $20 or so

Have one on my Marlin 1895

 

[Milkmaster]

If you actually DO need to raise the comb, the look at the Beartooth kit- it uses a neoprene sleeve and comes with several thicknesses of foam inserts to help you get what you need; costs is like $20 or so

George P is correct about the Beartooth kit. I used it for my son when he was young. It allowed me to try different pads and evaluate the height. I ended up buying another single pad with adhesive after discovering the correct height needed. I chose to do that rather than have two pads. Then I still used the sleeve over the top of it for comfort. It was a great solution. Here is a old pic just showing the pad without the cover. The second picture is showing a pump we fixed up for him even earlier.

 

[entropy]

It’s just a starting place.

Yes; as George P said, measuring all of those factors combine for a proper fit. Proper fit is the key to shooting well with a shotgun. Can a person 'form themselves to the gun'? Yes. I did it for many years, and shot very well that way. But you're fighting all kinds of things going against you like cheek slap, uncomfortable neck positions, (the OP has already mentioned this) the gun barrel covering rising targets, and taking a beating from recoil when you don't have to. Finding a stockfitter that will take you out with a gun that has a trystock and finding how you are most comfortable and confident when shooting will do wonders for one's shooting ability. The next best thing is installing or having installed the adjustable parts I linked to in post #15, and experimenting with them yourself until you find what works best for you. (Or buying a gun that has those things on them already, which is what I did.) The Beartooth kit is a great way to start, and for the casual shooter, can be a solution.
Some things to consider:
Adding LOP will reduce the amount of comb height needed, but if your cheek is not touching the stock (and from what I understand from the OP in post #18, the stock already has a Monte Carlo profile) you may need more height than the Beartooth kit can provide.
There is one solution for comb height that is not overly expensive; Magpul makes a stock the has adjustable LOP and comb height, though the LOP might still be short for the OP.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319512418

and

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319258794

It goes back to 14.5", which as George P. say he can shoulder well, and he is @ the OP's size. Midway is out right now, but it should be available other places also.

I almost bought one of these for my 870 for Trap, but bought an 1100 Competition Synthetic instead.

 

[George P]

Yes; as George P said, measuring all of those factors combine for a proper fit. Proper fit is the key to shooting well with a shotgun. Can a person 'form themselves to the gun'? Yes. I did it for many years, and shot very well that way. But you're fighting all kinds of things going against you like cheek slap, uncomfortable neck positions, (the OP has already mentioned this) the gun barrel covering rising targets, and taking a beating from recoil when you don't have to. Finding a stockfitter that will take you out with a gun that has a trystock and finding how you are most comfortable and confident when shooting will do wonders for one's shooting ability. The next best thing is installing or having installed the adjustable parts I linked to in post #15, and experimenting with them yourself until you find what works best for you. (Or buying a gun that has those things on them already, which is what I did.) The Beartooth kit is a great way to start, and for the casual shooter, can be a solution.
Some things to consider:
Adding LOP will reduce the amount of comb height needed, but if your cheek is not touching the stock (and from what I understand from the OP in post #18, the stock already has a Monte Carlo profile) you may need more height than the Beartooth kit can provide.
There is one solution for comb height that is not overly expensive; Magpul makes a stock the has adjustable LOP and comb height, though the LOP might still be short for the OP.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319512418

and

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319258794

It goes back to 14.5", which as George P. say he can shoulder well, and he is @ the OP's size. Midway is out right now, but it should be available other places also.

I almost bought one of these for my 870 for Trap, but bought an 1100 Competition Synthetic instead.

The tighter the grip radius, the shorter the LOP you can shoot comfortably; whereas a straight, or English, stock (no pistol grip of any kind), can lend itself to using a longer LOP. Most with English stocks can also tend to allow a shooter to use a longer offhand on the forearm, much the way the English folks shoot high driven birds.

 

[entropy]

True; this is why Trap guns have very curved grips, and classic English shotguns have straight stocks. It is humorously ironic that using that longer foregrip requires leather barrel covers in front of the 'splinter' forends that are de rigueur on classic British shotguns.

 

[George P]

But I love my English SxS 20 gauge

 

[entropy]

I didn't say there's anything wrong with them, I love them too. Got to handle a really nice 5.5 lb. English 20ga. 3 weeks ago, then the next week, a 16 ga. Ithaca SxS I'm buying from the guy who had the 20. I can't afford that 20. Congress is giving me the $$ for the Ithaca. And yes, the 20 had a splinter forend. The Ithaca's is a bit meatier. When I have it, I will post pics.

 

[tmd16556]

I tend to work on practicing pointing by looking and mounting the gun and checking if it’s right by the bead. I usually have to do this to reset in the field after a few misses. Usually aim at a treetop or cloud or distant vulture. Short LOP usually makes me shoot high (which is not bad on approaching doves) and sometimes off to the side. I always was taught the correct LOP (which is a term I only recently learned on the internet) for a hunting shotgun is to put the butt in your inside elbow and your finger should easily rest on the trigger.

 

[George P]

I tend to work on practicing pointing by looking and mounting the gun and checking if it’s right by the bead. I usually have to do this to reset in the field after a few misses. Usually aim at a treetop or cloud or distant vulture. Short LOP usually makes me shoot high (which is not bad on approaching doves) and sometimes off to the side. I always was taught the correct LOP (which is a term I only recently learned on the internet) for a hunting shotgun is to put the butt in your inside elbow and your finger should easily rest on the trigger.

I have a laser that is shaped like a 12 gauge shell; you drop it into the chamber, turn it on and then you can practice smooth swinging by following the wall/ceiling line or similar