Length of pull question

Dittoes with mehavey.

Remember when trying, thickness of clothing makes a difference. If it's "just right" in summer, it might be too long when wearing a thick jacket in winter.
 
I've heard the above advice all my life. Not sure I believe it. No 2 people are built alike. They have different arm lengths, some have thick muscular chests, others can be skinny and either could have long or short arms. Not everyone fits that proportional test. And as Art says a LOP that is perfect in August in a T-Shirt will be too long in December in a heavy jacket.

Most people can make a standard 13.5-13.75 LOP work. But some may be better off a little longer or shorter. I believe it is best to just try different stocks and see what works best for you although the above test may be a good place to start. Given the option I prefer to err on the side of having LOP on the short side rather than too long.
 
I have to agree with jmr40. When I was shooting competition standing, I ended up with a stock much shorter than I ever anticipated. I got some great advice from some of the best shooters in the world on that subject. Getting the weight in closer to the body offers a lot more support and steadiness when shooting off hand. Holding the gun out too far simply causes more stress on the muscles trying to hold the gun steady. I'd always err on the short side rather than the long side.
 
Disagree with the elbow mythology. There ARE actual ways to measure the proper LOP, DAH, DAC, cast, pitch toe, etc. and all are important for a properly-fitting gun.
 
That "crook of the elbow" method will give you a rough fit check and get you pretty close, but that is not how you determine length of pull.
 
There are two methods in Post #2
Elbow will handle 90%
Second method more exact. But -- as mentioned -- gives most a headache.

FOR THE OP: Choose what works for you.
But as Art E notes, even "perfect" fit is affected by everything under the sun as situations change.
Don't get hung up on "perfect" and/or "exact"
Good enough is what you seek.
 
Stock fit: Mount the rifle to your shoulder, off-hand hold. Good cheek weld. Comfortable hold. Do it with your eyes closed.

When you open your eyes you should be looking right through the sights/scope without moving your head. Or down the centerline of the barrel if no sights.

The bent-arm test has always been adequate for me. At worst, it gets you in the ballpark. If you care to refine it, that's easy enough.

One thing about cast-off: I learned long ago that if there is at least a slight angle such that with recoil the comb slides away from my jaw, perceived recoil is much less.
 
Trial and error is ain't though. It's an actual measurement. Isn't mystical either though.
The stock in your elbow is more of a gauging thing. Measuring is best for installing a recoil pad. Gauging is a 'field expedient' that lets you quickly check the approximate fit of a stock.
The actual measuring method is to shoulder a yard stick like you would a rifle. Where your trigger finger comes to is your LOP.
"...LOP, DAH, DAC, cast, pitch toe, etc..." Mostly applies to shotguns.
Making a factory stock "work" is not the same thing as having the "proper" LOP for you.
 
And then when all that is done and it's perfect..
You put your tee shirt on, underarmor or long john top, a sweater, sweatshirt, parka, orange vest. Cause we all dress in layers when it's cold.
And your custom LOP doesn't fit you anymore.

And again i'll disagree with T.O. All that has huge implications, especially if your trying to fit a stock for a female, or are a precision shooter.

There are reasons custom fit stocks cost money.
 
Two fingers widths from knuckle to nose .. !!!!

I was recently faced with this question on a SXS and after doing some homework, I finally cut my stock and it worked out great. My biggest question is whether I measure from the front trigger, rear or split the difference. I measured from the front as explained by some shotgun experts. I have doe more than one single trigger but never a double. Look up my previous post and you will find some great advice and informative links ….. :)

10"-62 miter saw with fence, heavy shirt. ….. :)

Be Safe !!!
 
I have tried the crook in the elbow method. According to that I would be perfect with a 13.5" LOP. Not so, I cut all my stocks to a 12" LOP and they are very comfortable. They are all lever guns so I can operate the lever with my eye still on the sights. So take a close guess and adjust after the first cut.
 
Two fingers widths from knuckle to nose .. !!!!
I was recently faced with this question on a SXS and after doing some homework, I finally cut my stock and it worked out great. My biggest question is whether I measure from the front trigger, rear or split the difference. I measured from the front as explained by some shotgun experts. I have doe more than one single trigger but never a double. Look up my previous post and you will find some great advice and informative links …..

10"-62 miter saw with fence, heavy shirt. ….
Click to expand...

Just cutting a SxS stock did not consider the cast, pitch DAH, DAC that the original stock had, so you changed a lot.

According to that I would be perfect with a 13.5" LOP. Not so, I cut all my stocks to a 12" LOP and they are very comfortable.
Click to expand...

12" might work well for someone who is about 5' tall........... if that really works for you, good.....
 
Off the cuff, guessing, odds are that stocks are meant to fit 80% or so of the buying public, much like the seats in cars.
 
Stocking a rifle and stocking a shotgun to fit a specific individual are similar, but different in several ways. As far as length of pull matters, it matters most if the gun is going to need to be shouldered (mounted) in a hurry.

A pull that is too long interferes with this. The military learned, long ago that a stock that is "too short" can still be used fairly effectively. So the pull length on ALL our military rifles of the past century+ is on the short side, so that smaller individuals can use them, and larger people can adapt to them.

The crook of the elbow method is a quick and dirty method, which is not precise, but does allow for a general reference to tell if you have a stock which is grossly too short, or too long for you to allow for easy effective use.
 
Totally agree

Just cutting a SXS stock did not consider the cast, pitch DAH, DAC that the original stock had, so you changed a lot.
Click to expand...

You are absolutely correct as I have really got information overload on a "Shotgun". If I had a custom high end double, I would send it off to have it professionally done. After reviewing what I found on the internet. I determined that my Savage-311 did not require this kind of investment. My only use is hunting and it worked out great. …… :)

I'm sure the OP was addressing a rifle and not a shotgun. The only reason I mentioned it is because shotguns are more fitting.. ….. :)


Be Safe !!!
 
It all depends.........some folks stand 90 degrees to the line if fire, others stand facing it (like most military folks who learned to shoot an M4)

I am a hunter, not an AR/3-gun/comp guy so I prefer a rifle that actually fits me as opposed to me scrunching up on the stock trying to fit myself to the gun. Actually also no different than folks who struggle with a handgun grip that is too small/large for their hand - can one make do? Sure....but why bother to just make-do?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top