Author Topic: Thumbhole stock question  (Read 612 times)

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Offline ThomD

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Thumbhole stock question
« on: May 19, 2011, 09:58:23 PM »
Comb height on the thumbhole stocks seems pretty low.  I looked at one varmint in the store, and it seemed as though with a proper cheek weld I was looking straight into the base of the hammer.  Is this what shooters are finding, and if so, other than restocking, what are people doing to get a decent cheek weld on these stocks.  One of our local stores seemed to buy a lot of rifles with these stocks, and while they look nice I  was wondering how they shot.

Offline Jimbo47

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Re: Thumbhole stock question
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2011, 04:51:07 AM »
I've got one of the Boyds thumbhole stocks on my rifle and I don't have a problem with cheekweld and it shoots fine and I love the stock.

That said, there are those who have posted in the past that it was too low for them.

I also use the lowest scope rings that I can get away with, that will clear my hammer, and there is also information in the FAQ's on bobbing the hammer if you need to go that route.

I think it's an individual thing, and you just need to try one and see if it will work for you as everyone doesn't have the same distance from cheek to eye level because of varying facial features, and one size doesn't fit all.
My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.

Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: Thumbhole stock question
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2011, 04:51:44 PM »
"I looked at one varmint in the store" Are you talking about a wood laminated thumbhole or one of the Ultra varmint or Survivor type thumbholes?? Kurt
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Offline ThomD

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Re: Thumbhole stock question
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2011, 07:49:13 PM »
Sorry, yes I was wondering about the wooden laminated ultra varmint stock.  Replacements aren't really an option.  I would prefer the Monty Carlo, it's just that a local shop has the Varmint, and they have great prices and a sale.  I don't think I will buy one but I was looking at it, and it didn't seem workable, so I was sorta wondering about it.  I also like the stainless 45-70, but I don't have confidence in the stock.  I have read of people who didn't like the recoil performance of the stock, but I was wondering in addition about the  fit with a scope.  There seem to be more stocks that don't fit on rifles out there, than ones that do.

Offline Sourdough

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Re: Thumbhole stock question
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2011, 09:24:52 PM »
I put one on my .35 Whelen Handi.  Have not noticed any problem when I shoot it, with it being too low.  The one thing about a Thumbhole is that it will stop you from canting the gun.  One reason so many people miss at farther ranges is they cant the gun.   
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Thumbhole stock question
« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2011, 04:14:56 AM »
I agree with you, its the same story with the handi Grip stock.  I still LOVE the look and feel, but I have relegated the couple I have to target or varmint calibers. I also find hammer manipulation to be poor. The Handi Grip is better in this respect.

I like the Lam Monti for scope alignment and the camo lam for looks. But its a bit heavy. Ilike the camo lam for weight, looks and scope alignment.

People are built different, so different heights of comb will work for different people. To me the comb on the thumb holes is also too low.

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Offline Jimbo47

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Re: Thumbhole stock question
« Reply #6 on: May 21, 2011, 05:32:03 AM »
Sorry, yes I was wondering about the wooden laminated ultra varmint stock.  Replacements aren't really an option.  I would prefer the Monty Carlo, it's just that a local shop has the Varmint, and they have great prices and a sale.  I don't think I will buy one but I was looking at it, and it didn't seem workable, so I was sorta wondering about it.  I also like the stainless 45-70, but I don't have confidence in the stock.  I have read of people who didn't like the recoil performance of the stock, but I was wondering in addition about the  fit with a scope.  There seem to be more stocks that don't fit on rifles out there, than ones that do.

The Thumbhole stock actually helps dampen recoil as the weight of your arm can hang almost directly down at your side and will absorb most of the recoil.   I mounted the thumbhole stock on my 20 gauge Tracker ll and I also drilled out a hole behind the recoil pad and filled it with lead shot from my muzzleloader and now I could shoot 3" slugs all day long and it's fairly mild on the recoil.

For a 45-70 or slug gun the stock is a good match and one reason why H&R puts them on some of their 45-70's and slug guns.
My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.

Offline spikehorn

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Re: Thumbhole stock question
« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2011, 08:31:58 AM »
I recently got one of the 45-70 SS and I didn't have a problem with cheek weld as far as scope alignment was concerned. The thumb hole stock just didn't seem like it would be conducive for still hunting. I swapped it out for the cin. lam. set I had on my SS 223, and yes it's a better recoil pad on the cin. lams.
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Thumbhole stock question
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2011, 05:27:40 AM »
My take on this is that if you find a good price on a Handi in a caliber you want, buy it.
The 'Classifieds' here are your friend and the change of stocks is soooo easy.
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