Choosing an O/U

[bluwing26]

I'm in the market for an O/U for trap and pheasant and have done some research on Browning and Beretta models. From what I've seen here on TFL and from talking to my local gunsmith and a few people I know that own O/Us will most likely buy one or the other. I'll probably spend $1000-$2000. One question I have is on the fit of the gun. Is their a more scientific way that people use to determine the proper fit of a gun other than just the feel and your performance with the gun because granted one person will handle a gun different than another? I mean just because one shoots well with a certain gun that doesn't mean I will. The reason I'm asking is that it's kinda hard to just borrow a gun from a store or look at it in a catalog and know if it will fit properly. The O/Us that I have shot seemed to shoulder well and I have shot decent with them but maybe there's something better. Since most makers publish the specifications is there any way to actually measure my arm length etc. to find the gun that will fit me the best? Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.Shoot safe!

 

[K80Geoff]

Gunfitting usually requires a patterning board. A gunfitter will have you snap shoot at a target in the center of the board and check where the pattern hits in relation to the center. From that he will be able to determine what adjustments need to be made to the stock.

When I had my gun fiting. The fitter had me shoot 5 times at a hole in the center of a large metal plate that had been whitewashed with white paint. My shot patterns from the five shots were off to the left of the center target. From that he advised me to have the stock bent 1/4' to the right to center the pattern. I was lucky that the LOP was good for me and I did not require any changes in the stock height.

Some fitters use a "TRY" gun that can be adjusted to various lengths and elevations and windages to determine the correct stock measurements.

Either way you will learn what your correct measurement should be. Guns rarely fit perfectly off the rack.

To find a fitter in your neighborhood I suggest getting a copy of "Blacks Wing and Clay" which is available from Amazon or can usually be found in the local Borders or waldens or whatever passes for them in your town. The book lists gunfitters and coaches and other usefull information.