Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles thumb-hole stocks on big game rifle

Does anyone have a thumb-hole stock on a big big game rifle? I have an all weather Ruger Hawekeye .358 Win on order and I'm thinking about restocking the synthetic stock with a laminated thumb-hole. One of my concerns is being able to operate the safety then get my right hand back in shooting position quickly.

Your experiences would be appreciated.

That is a Ruger 77 in a 35 Whelen. I have had a stroke, and I have no problem with the thumbhole..

I wouldn't run one unless it was ambidextrous

WAY too GAY........

This was a constructive, helpful comment how?

I've had to shoot wrong handed way too many times to suffer a t-hole that's not ambi. Yep. Way too gay.

Few Thumb-hole stocks Ive found to be comfortable, but not enough to own one. If the fit/feel suits you then forget what others think and go with it.

There you have it, forget what he thinks.

Exactly!

I've always had a hankering for a Harry Lawson Cochise Thumbhloe since I visited his shop back in the '70s. His rifles were light and as sweet as could be to a young man with no chance of coming up with the price of a custom rifle. The man could do wonders with a Rem 600 action. Which gets me to thinking, I've got 3 600s in the safe. Hmmmm.
George

And the winner is.......

I know guys who jumped all over Lawson's thumbholes when they came out...but not for long after they smartened up.

Have one in a XR100 for a praire dog rifle, but I don't think it would work to well as a big game gun.

WHY??? More weight?

No.

Not ever....

Just a new pig they chase through the streets.

All the rage over here. Even reputeable companies come up with them now.

Blaser markets their R8 with a Dall Ram.

http://www.blaser.de/index.php?id=515

I asked them, if they knew that you will carry that rifle for hours on end for days on that hunt - and shoot it once or twice...

I am too young to be feeling this out of touch...

No and as my 3 year old granddaughter frequently says, "Never, never." To me, both rollovers and thumb holes are fine off a bench where you kind of wear them, but in the field stalking they are a bit slower to use. If you hunt from a fixed stand, none of this applies. Your money, your gun. Jack

Yup

I would have on on a rifle set up for long range, varmint killing but not on a big game rifle.

If you can try before you buy or can find a similar setup to try, then carry the rifle with thumbhole stock for 5 minutes at various hunting carry positions, simulate a few quick offhand shots including manipulating the safety, and try a couple of simulated shots from the offside shoulder. If you still want it after doing these things, go for it; it's your rifle and you are the only one who has to like it.

Having said that, I did all of the above and found a thumbhole stock to be very awkward for big game hunting. It was uncomfortable and unnatural to carry, slow to operate and difficult to use from the off shoulder. But you may have a different opinion.

Maybe you are just wise beyond your years.