Stock fitters Bible...Making sure your shotgun fits.

[Camp David]

Almost finished reading "Stock fitters Bible" by Rollin Oswald. Rollin explains fitting a gun (mostly shotguns) to the individual. Goes into great details and laymen terms of all the components of a stock and the form of the shooter. I have gained a lot of knowledge from the book and have since adjusted my gun (682 Berretta). I had a big problem with “Cheek slap” and my cheek would be sore for a week after a 100 clay bird shoot. I’ve also changed my form to allow better consistency. My scores have not jumped up (yet), but I expect that over the next few months to see some improvement in my scores and winged shooting. Off the shelf guns fit a small percentage of the shooters that use them. If you interested in better scores or more birds in the bag read the book and get your gun fitted to you.

[87Ford]

I have that book and it is very good, interesting.  It really goes in depth with the intricacies of stock fitting.  I bought it when my wife wanted to start shooting trap with me and I was having problems getting her Remington 1100 to even come close to fitting her.  Off the rack shotguns do not fit most women at all.  As it turned out I went with a custom Wenig Ladies stock with a shorter length of pull, smaller grip closer to the trigger and toe out.  I don't know if it's perfect, but it's real close..

[Camp David]

I added a rib, an adjustable stock (comb) shortened the stock and changed the pitch. I did most of it before I read the book. Now that I have read the book, I  feel that most of my modifications were done correctly. I changed the pitch last week (added shims to the heal) to hopefully reduce the "cheek slap". After I shot the gun (100 rounds during a sporting clay tournament) my cheek was not anywhere as sore as it was in the past. I have since cut the stock to add in more pitch and also get the Length of Pull (LOP) as described in the book. I have a skeet tournament the weekend; hopefully the new set up will yield improvements.  I’ve spent a lot of time on the pattern board to ensure the pattern is correct. I also made some adjustments to my form. My picture shows the new rib and adjustable comb.

[Huntbear]

Almost finished reading "Stock fitters Bible" by Rollin Oswald. Rollin explains fitting a gun (mostly shotguns) to the individual. Goes into great details and laymen terms of all the components of a stock and the form of the shooter. I have gained a lot of knowledge from the book and have since adjusted my gun (682 Berretta). I had a big problem with “Cheek slap” and my cheek would be sore for a week after a 100 clay bird shoot. I’ve also changed my form to allow better consistency. My scores have not jumped up (yet), but I expect that over the next few months to see some improvement in my scores and winged shooting. Off the shelf guns fit a small percentage of the shooters that use them. If you interested in better scores or more birds in the bag read the book and get your gun fitted to you.

This will also reduce felt recoil on any big game rifle... A properly fitted stock is amazing to shoot.  I found out in gunsmithing school that I needed to have an offset stock by almost 1/4 in, with a roll over monte carlo type design to fit me best.  When I built a stock like that, and shot it, it was amazing.  The fit and feel of throwing the gun up and instantly seeing the sites, and the gun being right where it belongs, snugged into your shoulder crease. 

By having a proper fitting stock, a person's felt recoil is lessened.  Because the body does its job of absorbing the shock, without the sharp pain of it smashing your cheekbone, etc....

[Camp David]

87,
Interesting looking stock. I can tell that she most likely experiences little recoil with the level comb and the butt has pretty good pitch. I’ll bet she enjoys shooting it. 

[87Ford]

87,
Interesting looking stock. I can tell that she most likely experiences little recoil with the level comb and the butt has pretty good pitch. I’ll bet she enjoys shooting it. 

Camp David, it sounds like you have your gun fitting nicely and have made good use of the Stock Fitter's Bible.  Nice gun you have...Beretta?  Yes, the Wenig stock on my wife's 1100 has a parallel comb and recoil is a non issue for her.  The toe out is also important in a woman's stock.  Her gun currently has a 30" barrel and it seems a bit long and awkward for her, so I have my eye out for a 28" barrel.  If you noticed, the gun is left handed so it takes some looking to find barrels, but they can be found. 

[Camp David]

@ 87,

Yes it’s a 682....bought it in the early 90s. Really started shooting it (sporting clays, skeet, 5 stand and doves) the last 3 years. The "Cheek slap" is what really got me interested in proper fit. I don’t think I have ever seen a leftie 1100. My wife might be interested in shooting if I could get my 1100 20ga (skeet T) to fit her better. I just might look into one of those stocks. I have an extra barrel for it with modified a choke.