My E mail had someone asking about the proper balancing point for a shotgun. Here's an edited, paraphrased version.
Balance,weight,length,fit, etc all contribute to that subjective set of biases we call "Feel". Usually, the proper Feel means a shotgun that's responsive, reasonably quick,and does a good job on the target despite us.
So, how do I want a shotgun to balance? How long is a piece of string?
This is as subjective as finding the Woman or Man of your dreams.
The usual criteria, skipping some mumbo-jumbo about balancing on the hinge pin for doubles, is about 3" in front of the trigger, front trigger if there's more than one.
Like most rules of thumb, this is crude but does work most of the time.
More aptly, go by how the thing shoots for you, and the mission.
Clay gamer guns tend towards being weight forward, or muzzle heavy. This aids the swing with a bit of inertia.S/C guns tend not to be as W/F as Trap or Skeet guns, but it's not a great difference.
Pass shooting guns also tend towards W/F. Same reason.
So do "Serious" shotguns with mag extensions. This keeps the muzzle down for fast recovery.
Upland guns are more neutral, with exceptions.
One,many grouse and woodcock hunters prefer a shotgun with the weight to the rear, a butt heavy feel that's fast for snap shots.
Two, ultralight shotguns seem to work better if they are SLIGHTLY W/F, this counteracts the tendency to stop the swing so common to sub 7 lb shotguns.
The best way to find how your shotgun should shoot is by shooting it,then adding or subtracting a bit of weight here and there. A coupla oz of lead under the pad on a "Serious" shotgun can counter a full 8 shot mag.
Leverage being what it may, an oz at the muzzle can change the feel the way 2 oz do at midpoint. (Finally, an excuse for that bayonet lug on 590s).
Samesame, an oz just under the pad works better than one halfway up the bolt hole.
So, play around a bit and see just what works for you and a specified mission.
HTH....
Balance,weight,length,fit, etc all contribute to that subjective set of biases we call "Feel". Usually, the proper Feel means a shotgun that's responsive, reasonably quick,and does a good job on the target despite us.
So, how do I want a shotgun to balance? How long is a piece of string?
This is as subjective as finding the Woman or Man of your dreams.
The usual criteria, skipping some mumbo-jumbo about balancing on the hinge pin for doubles, is about 3" in front of the trigger, front trigger if there's more than one.
Like most rules of thumb, this is crude but does work most of the time.
More aptly, go by how the thing shoots for you, and the mission.
Clay gamer guns tend towards being weight forward, or muzzle heavy. This aids the swing with a bit of inertia.S/C guns tend not to be as W/F as Trap or Skeet guns, but it's not a great difference.
Pass shooting guns also tend towards W/F. Same reason.
So do "Serious" shotguns with mag extensions. This keeps the muzzle down for fast recovery.
Upland guns are more neutral, with exceptions.
One,many grouse and woodcock hunters prefer a shotgun with the weight to the rear, a butt heavy feel that's fast for snap shots.
Two, ultralight shotguns seem to work better if they are SLIGHTLY W/F, this counteracts the tendency to stop the swing so common to sub 7 lb shotguns.
The best way to find how your shotgun should shoot is by shooting it,then adding or subtracting a bit of weight here and there. A coupla oz of lead under the pad on a "Serious" shotgun can counter a full 8 shot mag.
Leverage being what it may, an oz at the muzzle can change the feel the way 2 oz do at midpoint. (Finally, an excuse for that bayonet lug on 590s).
Samesame, an oz just under the pad works better than one halfway up the bolt hole.
So, play around a bit and see just what works for you and a specified mission.
HTH....
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