Curl your finger into a natural trigger position. Now, using a tape or similar device, measure from the inside of the elbow, just below the bicep, straight down the forearm to the middle of the pad on your trigger finger. You now have the measurement for your length of pull on a rifle stock. 13.50” is the standard length of pull for a US made rifle stock.
Full Answer
How do I change the stock size on my rifle?
For best results, take the rifle to a local gunsmith and ask them to trim the stock to the correct size or replace the stock with a longer one, depending on the intended LOP. They’ll take into account the space to add a new butt plate or recoil pad, too. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
How to measure a gun for a proper stock trim?
Take your measurements with an unloaded gun, since your finger will be on the trigger. Measure from the trigger to the back of the recoil pad or butt to determine whether you should trim the stock or get it replaced.
What is a rifle stock and should it be?
It might be a prudent exercise to examine exactly what a rifle stock is and should be. Perhaps the first order of business is to define what a rifle stock is as well as its purpose. A rifle stock is a device that provides an interface between the shooter and the rifle.
How do you measure the length of pull on a rifle?
This article has been viewed 103,129 times. The length of pull (LOP) is the distance between the trigger and the back of your rifle’s butt, and it’s important to get it right so you can shoulder your weapon and use the scope. Take your measurements with an unloaded gun, since your finger will be on the trigger.
How much LOP do factory rifles have?
Most factory rifles have an LOP between 13 and 13 ¾ inches. A first test of physical fit is to rest your index finger on the trigger face (again, with an unloaded gun pointed in a safe direction), then bend your arm 90 degrees. Ensure the buttplate is nestled in your elbow.
What is the LOP on a rifle?
LOP is the distance between the center of the trigger and the back center of the buttplate or recoil pad.
What are aftermarket stocks?
Aftermarket stocks are also available for many popular rifles, with many designed to raise the cheekpiece to accommodate popular scopes. Also, major firearms manufacturers, including those of MSRs, are finally beginning to get the message and design factory stocks with scope sights in mind.
How far should the firing hand be from the nose?
Check the distance from the thumb of your firing hand to your nose. A rule of thumb (no pun intended!) is that the thumb of the firing hand should be about 1½ inches from your nose. The LOP is too long if the distance is greater and too short if the distance is less. Stock length can be adjusted pretty easily.
What was the first rifle to have a drop in the comb?
The earliest flintlock and percussion rifles had lots of drop in the comb to facilitate proper use of iron sights. Black powder cartridge rifles were similarly designed, and they morphed into smokeless powder cartridge rifles.
What do golf swings, bowling, and shooting rifles have in common?
What do a golf swing, bowling, and shooting a rifle have in common? The old adage, “Keep your head down.”. In these and many other athletic endeavors, one must keep their eye firmly on the target to be successful. You can’t do that if your head is not in the proper position. Why, then, is it so difficult to keep one’s head in position on their ...
Why is it so hard to mount a scope on a Model 94?
But if you have ever tried to mount a scope on a Model 94, you quickly realize it is difficult shoot simply because the stock design allows only a small part of your face to make contact with the stock. Now take a quick look at the stocks offered by today’s most popular production hunting rifle manufacturers.
What are rifle stocks made of?
Like most firearms and their components, rifle stocks have gone through a profound revolution during the past two decades. They used to be made of wood nearly exclusively—usually walnut—and a good one was one that had a pleasing grain figure and sharp, well-cut checkering. Today stocks are made of a variety of modern components, ...
What is the comb on a rifle?
The comb is where you place the stock against your cheek —often referred to as the cheekweld.
What is shadow line in stock?
Many stockmakers include a shadow line, basically a sharp, straight cut from the sloping part of the cheekpiece to the stock proper. Shadow lines serve no useful purpose other than decoration. State-of-the-art stocks today have cheekpieces that can be adjusted.
Why do target rifles have an extension?
Target rifles are sometimes seen with an extension at the toe or heel to allow for more precise and repeatable mounting. Schützen stocks take this—as well as other stock components—to a rather obtuse extreme, whether for pragmatic reasons or the maker’s idea of beauty, I am not sure. Mossberg MMR Carbine. The Comb.
Why were the combs on the 19th century rifles sharp?
The combs of these rifles were also rather sharp and thin, an attempt to make the rifle lighter and easier to carry.
What was the Kentucky rifle?
Kentucky rifles had curved or crescent-shaped buttplates, the idea being that it fit the curvature of the shoulder better and, consequently, would be a better, more repeatable anchor point of the rifle. This notion persisted well into the 19th century and in the development of lever-action rifles.
Can synthetic stocks be hollowed?
Some synthetic stocks have hollowed pistol grips, sometimes seen on AR-style rifles, whereby one can store a sight-adjustment tool or such. If you choose such a feature, make sure the cap latch is plenty robust, otherwise you might find the cap open and your precious, must-have tool is missing in action. Fore-end.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR CURRENT LENGTH OF PULL
To measure your current length of pull, the only items you will need are a tape measure and your stock. From the center of the trigger, measure to the back of the recoil pad in a straight line. Be sure you are centered within the trigger shoe, not forward or touching the back, for proper measurement.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR CORRECT LENGTH OF PULL
For a stock installed onto a rifle, you will want to shoulder the firearm into a good shooting position. Note: your eye position will not be perfect if the length of pull on your stock is not correct.
ALTERNATIVE STYLE WHEN FACTORING YOUR LENGTH OF PULL
Sometimes a fixed stock may not be the best option for how your specific rifle application. If multiple shooters will be using the stock, your attire adjusts drastically, or if you’re looking to add more weight to your build — an adjustable LOP may be the ideal alternative.
SELECTING YOUR PRO-SERIES STOCK
H-S Precision offers a variety of aftermarket stocks. For brands such as Remington, Howa, Weatherby, and more, shooters are able to select from different models, styles, grips, and of course — length of pull.
Step 1: Design
Design: I spent a lot of time looking at other stocks, and although I really like the look and feel of thumb-hole stocks, the action of this particular rifle (a "toggle-bolt") is better suited to an "open saddle" type design - so after a lot of sketching and thinking, I decided to model the stock on the beautiful Sako TRG 22 (which was also convenient since a friend of mine owns one and was kind enough to lend it to me for a while to use as reference.
Step 2: Prepare the Original Stock
Prepare the Original Stock: Note: Anyone doing their own inletting can skip this step..... ;) As I mentioned before, "inletting" a rifle stock is the process of cutting out the appropriate spaces, holes, and grooves into which the rifle barrel, receiver, and trigger group will drop into and be securely supported.
Step 3: Prepare the Laminated Blank
Prepare the Laminated Blank: I ordered a standard brown-laminate stock from Boyd's Gun Stocks ( http://www.boydsgunstocks.com ) and with a little maneuvering got my template to fit perfectly. I planned to to split the laminate stock open and "sandwich" the old stock in between laminate outer "skins" about 3/8" thick.
Step 4: Glue Up
Make Me a Sammich! (OK - You're a sammich....): Once the "core" part was cured, any voids were filled with a putty made by mixing 5-minute epoxy-and sawdust. The sides were cleaned up on a belt sander once the epoxy had cured.
Step 5: Cutting the Profile
Profiling: Next step was to trace the profile onto the blank in preparation for cutting out the profile.
Step 6: Scuplting and Shaping
Tip: I break up projects into "mini-tasks" and make task lists - this helps me be efficient and focused and keeps me from feeling overwhelmed or getting burned out. This also allows me to put in just 15 or 20 minutes (enough to complete a task) and still feel like I'm making progress.
Step 7: More Sculpting and Shaping
If a picture is worth 1000 words, this Instructable has about 175K words - so I'll let them do the talking.... ;)