Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Length Of Pull

Other than physically handling a gun how do you determine the proper LOP ? Also am i measuring it right,from the trigger to the shallowest point of the butt pad ?

Do you mean your LOP or a weapons?

I mean how do you know the rifles LOP fits you right

A rifle's fit is not as critical as a shotgun, unless you will be shooting the rifle...well, like a shotgun.

To put it simply, you should be able to shoulder your weapon with your eyes closed and find it pointing exactly where you want it, without making adjustments, when you open your eyes.

Of course, there are people who make a lot of money "fitting" guns for people, but it's not exactly rocket science.

Jeff Cooper was a big man and liked a 12.75in LOP. I find that about perfect for me. I can shoot a light 308 Steyr Scout with a conventional scope all day long and the scope never gets close to my eye.

I bought a TI take-off with a 12.375 LOP and put it on a 7mm SAUM and I occasionally got tapped from prone bipod position if I didn't hold the gun firmly. So, for me, that is TOO short. YMMV.

If you get a stock too long, it'll really slow down offhand snap shooting. That is why Cooper favored a short stock.

You can get by with too short.

Too long can cause problems.

To answer your question, you'll know it's right when you can quickly and comfortably get behind the gun.

I have rifles that go from 12.5" to 13.75" and it doesn't bother me in the slightest to use any of them.

I do prefer a longer LOP when shooting prone though.

If you practice with what you have, it pretty much becomes a non issue...unless you're a giant or a midget.

Ok thanks guys. I'm looking at a stock that Brownells carries but LOP is 13 7/8 w/o the recoil pad,that would put it around 14 7/8 with a pad. Too long imo,my 2 rifles are 13 3/4 & 13 7/8 both feel right.

If the rifle is going to be used in cold weather compensating for the extra clothes is a good idea.

If the thumb is about 1&1/2 inches in front of the nose when the gun is mounted that is about right. Shotguns are usually fitted a little longer than rifles.

Having the rifle "point' where you are looking when you mount it has a lot more to do with drop at the comb and heel than LOP. Havng cast on or cast off can help that also, but many think, and probably rightly so, that this increases felt recoil for heavy kickers. I like to have it though.

Although it is indeed not rocket science,those that take time to get a properly fitted stock will enjoy shooting a lot more.

Read this -may need to take into account normal amount of clothing when shooting:

http://www.gunstocksinc.com/web_pages/Plate-pics/LOP-Measurement/how_to_measure_your_lop.htm

That is probably the biggest, most untruthful wives tale ever told. It does not take in account different body structures, length of neck, size of chest, etc. As an example,women will typically have a different LOP than a man of similar stature.

And it does not take into account where you mount your scope or head - but it's a basic place to start and has been recommended by more than one stock maker through the years.

So - if it's "the most untruthful wives tale ever told" - do enlighten all of us - how does a person make a reasonably accurate measurement prior to ordering a replacement stock?

One of my pencil barrel Browning Safaris (small ring Mauser action) came with a padded stock about one inch short and floated in a less than professional manner. The dealer had it priced about like an action as he was convinced by the float job that it did not shoot. I bought the little .308 intending to have it built into a .280, but I shot it as is and was delighted to find out it was a tack driver, at least for three shots. I mounted the scope far enough forward to eliminate a problem. The rifle is OK in shirt sleeves and comes into it's own on cold days with heavy clothing. Another custom stocked Mauser has a steel butt plate on a stock about i/2" shorter than normal. It fits so well that recoil is managed well, and it too is a joy to use. I wear a 35" sleeve on dress shirts. IMO, short is not a bad thing on rifles. jack

He already gave it to you...

Using the old wives' tale my LOP would be over 16". My correct LOP is far shorter.