Can somebody explain cast off in a rifle stock and how you go about estimating an appropriate amount for an individual shooter? I'm an amatuer stock "fitter" and am interested in shaping a rifle stock to fit my particular needs. Many thanks for your help.
You have gotten obvious contradictions at every step... SHotguns are nothing like rifles and cast is not used in rifles to make for a comfortable fit. Rather, cast is used with rifle stocks to redirect recoil more than anything else.
Cast a boomer "off" and your cheek will be most unhappy. By the same token a little "on" will gentle a big rifle tremendously. Off will cause the comb to twist up into your cheek while on will reduce barrel rise and send it a bit to the side.
From the bench the result may be a bit jumpy and squirrely, but in field use the muzzle will not rise as far or as fast as in a straight stock, but will "rotate" out and away from the cheek.
Most rifle stock makers would use no more than 5/16" at the heel and perhaps 1/4" at the toe to reduce apparant recoil.
Rifle stock fit is not something that one "feels" or senses like a shotgun and adequate sight picture is easily, quickly, and reliably obtained with a lot more leeway than a shotgun.
Building in cast on a light recoiling rifle is not needed at all...
