Author Topic: Shotgun fitting project (Read 919 times)

dangerranger · « **on:** March 03, 2004, 10:19:42 PM »

I bought a Russian sxs double in 12 gauge.The stock was way to long.[I have short arms, and short fingers, with large meaty palms.]I cut 3/4" out of the wrist to move the pistol grip to within finger reach of the front trigger. I also cut another 3/8" off the butt to give me a 13 1/4" length of pull. After patterning it on cardboard I found it hitting about 4" high at 10 yds.[thats 4" above the point of aim.] My question is before I refinish the stock, should I lower the comb [ to lower the pattern center] or is this ok. This is my first try at shotgun fitting. This gun will do double duty as a field gun and cowboy action.Thanks for any help

gunnut69 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2004, 06:37:15 AM »

Most field guns are adjusted to pattern a bit high. This allows a better target picture when time is short. Moving the angle of the buttplate(pitch) can alter the verticle impact to some degree. I use this to do the final adjustments. Lowering the comb moves impact rather quickly. Don't take pitch adjustments too far as they gun becomes grabby on the shoulder, especially with todays softrubber pads. A product called 'SlickEase' can help there though. Four inches at 10 yards may be a bit excessive.. Try it out and see how it works.. Use the clasic test, stare at a target at whatever distance, close your eyes and mount the gun. Open the eyes, is the weapon well pointed?

dangerranger · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2004, 10:32:35 AM »

when I mount blind I see a lot more rib than Im used to.I also find the gun canted to the left. Maybe remove a little wood under the area where my right thumb and palm meet?[Im a right hander] Pitch angle isthe angle of the butt in relation to the barrel?

gunnut69 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2004, 11:56:30 AM »

Pitch is the angular relationship between the butt and the barrels. Place the butt on the horizontal line(Floor) with the barrels verticle and against the wall. The angle from verticle of the barrels is the pitch. Square and greater(barrels touch first at the muzzles) is not a good idea for a shogun which needs be mounted quickly. Lowering the comb at the nose will help but these dimensions can cause difficulty in handling the weapon if carried beyond certain limits. Bending is the best solution but is not practical in most instances. Try altering the pitch and the comb nose just a bit. That pull seems a bit short. Are you setting this up for use with heavy clothing? Lengthening the pull has the effect of lowering the muzzles as the should contact is farther below the centerline of the bores. The real benefit of stock bending is the ability to alter the toe in/out of the butt stock. This can be used to affect the canting problem you noticed.

dangerranger · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2004, 10:10:10 PM »

The lop is short because I have very short arms. All my shirts have to be altered. Before cutting I had checked another shotgun that I shoot well.As to pitch I have only1/2" pos pitch with 28" barrels.This may be plus or minus a little because the rubber pad has a little give.I can get a wedge shaped spacer to put between the pad and the butt to try the pitch before I do any cutting.I may try that next. How much pitch is normal for this barrel length?as for bending is that the cast ? this stock has about 1/8" built in to it. Thanks your time is greatly appreciated.This is my first time altering a stock. I had aproched a couple of smiths about this but none wanted to get involved with a junk gun.so I decided to try it myself. its been quite an education. Thanks again.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2004, 06:03:56 AM »

You've already hit on the biggest problem with altering a shotgun. Since some of the changes are one way we should really know exactly what we want before making those one time changes. A 1/2 inch pitch is pretty straight,, I'd alter the pitch down a bit(another 1/2?) and look at it again. That should show you less of the rib which should push the pattern lower on the board... The realy trick to adjusting a stock is a 'try gun'. A shotgun with the stock modified to allow adjustment usually with an allen wrench.. This easy changing lets the stocker make changes the otherwise would be one way.. and since most changes effect other measurements it allows fine tuning of all the adjustments. Some day I'll make one for myself.. of course there needs to be a barrel length adjustment also, as well as a SxS and OxU (single site plane vs double site plane)adjustment. A little hint. A couple of washers between the scre and the stock(may have to substitute a longer screw)can speed up the process. Beware of shooting with the pad unsupported though! Glad to help, assuming of course that I have at least a bit. Is about half science and half magic.. A set of laser pointers alligned in the muzzles may be a real help. I think I'll try that. Would allow the stock to see the real point of aim before the shooter's adaptation kicks in and alters it. Good luck.. keep us in touch..

dangerranger · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2004, 07:22:42 PM »

Today I made up a set of shims to adj the pitch.a little seems to do alot.The smallest shim added another 1/2" of pitch. its 3/16" tapering to 0.It doesnt feel any different but shows a little less rib. Seems to be on the right track.I hope to get out and try it tomorow. thanks again.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2004, 06:03:18 AM »

Remember, too much pitch can make the guns butt hang on the should when rapidly mounted. A rifle that's used deliberately can work with more than a shotgun that needs to stay fluid. Perhaps use two adjustments in common, the pitch and lower the comb. Don't thin the comb, that alters the alignment of the face behind the barrels, just lower it. Now, wouldn't a try gun be GREAT!!

dangerranger · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2004, 09:55:32 PM »

Gunnut I got out and test fired the shotgun today and tryed several pitch wedges. none of them seemed to move the POI down tward the piont of aim. its still centering its pattern about 4" above the poa at 10 yds. I guess its time to start cutting down the comb.When you mentioned before that I should take a little at a time, does that mean 1/16", 1/8", or less?Should I take sand paper out to the ranch so I can sand and shoot right away?Thanks again for your time.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2004, 04:59:23 AM »

Be careful. We are a very adaptable species and you may be adapting to the shotgun as you make changes... Altering the comb height can be done at home.. The amount of rib you see when the gun is mounted with the eyes closed is what you want to alter. Of course shooting is the proof... still if you see less rib(comb lower) you will shoot lower. One still wants to hit a bit above point of aim and remember to keep the pressure between you face and the comb the same. If you don't you will find yourself 'peeking'. That is trying to see the rib because you are looking for it you will raise your head to see it better. Remember when initially setting up a try gun one doesn't shoot the weapon. You may after it is adjusted but not normally after each adjustment.. i'd not take over 1/16 or so off the comb. Also remember to thing the comb a bit as you lower it. If you don't some of the adjustment will be lost to the thickness of the comb. Also remember that LOP is a difficult thing to set. Usually it is set so that the right elbow(for a right handed shooter) is at about a 90 degree angle with the hand in shooting position and the weapon mounted. I'm sorry I get a little wordy but it's frustrating try to do something like this via email.. Correct and CONSISTANT mounting of the gun is paramont or this effort will not work....