Adjustable ButtPlate - Useful for BenchRest?

[Phil3]

As I select parts for a rifle build, I am wondering about the value of buttstock plates/pad that offer adjustability in height, cant, and lateral offset, when shooting from a bench. Has anyone found this adjustability a benefit in getting set up properly behind the rifle for best shooter performance? I do not shoot free recoil, so will remain physically engaged with the rifle. I do not have access to a rifle with such adjustments to see how valuable the adjustments might be.

Thanks,

Phil

 

[Uthink Uknow]

I would say to get a rifle, stock, action that fits you and be done with it. You’ll find you will be encumbered by weight and adjustability you will not be using.

 

[Phil3]

Understood, but must have access to rifles and stocks to determine if they fit me. Unfortunately, I don't. Visited and called multiple gun shops, asking about specific rifles that have a stock (or style of stock), I would like. So far, nothing. Either not carried, special order, or sold out. I already ordered one stock but returned it due to not being what I hoped. Have been trying a local gun forum to see if someone will let me visit and handle a specific rifle, if they have what I want. Needless to say, even gun people are a little mistrustful of an Internet stranger coming to their house to handle their rifle.

 

[mr45man]

If its strictly a one shooter gun, you don't need it.
If the wife or kids will be shooting , then they come in handy .

 

[Mark W]

Understood, but must have access to rifles and stocks to determine if they fit me. Unfortunately, I don't. Visited and called multiple gun shops, asking about specific rifles that have a stock (or style of stock), I would like. So far, nothing. Either not carried, special order, or sold out. I already ordered one stock but returned it due to not being what I hoped. Have been trying a local gun forum to see if someone will let me visit and handle a specific rifle, if they have what I want. Needless to say, even gun people are a little mistrustful of an Internet stranger coming to their house to handle their rifle.

Try going to a match if that’s an option. I’ve been to a few and always bump into some of the nicest people in the world. I have been invited to set behind a few guns and even got to shoot a couple when that was an option. There are some good people in the shooting community.

 

[Terry]

As I select parts for a rifle build, I am wondering about the value of buttstock plates/pad that offer adjustability in height, cant, and lateral offset, when shooting from a bench. Has anyone found this adjustability a benefit in getting set up properly behind the rifle for best shooter performance? I do not shoot free recoil, so will remain physically engaged with the rifle. I do not have access to a rifle with such adjustments to see how valuable the adjustments might be.

Thanks,

Phil

Not if you are shooting free recoil.

 

[KenOath]

I’m looking at putting a 2 way butt on my F Open gun, it’s only udjustable vertically which is what I need as I can’t get my shoulder all the way down for 100% shoulder contact so moving butt pad up around 40mm will do it.For benchrest though I’ve found there’s always a way I can get comfortable behind most guns, even if shooting free recoil I like to have most of the butt hit my shoulder square..

 

[dcali]

For benchrest, I’d say no. Spend the money and weight elsewhere. For f class, an adjustable length of pull comes in handy, and to a lesser extent, an adjustable butt height. Offset and cant adjustments are for position shooting.

 

[Drop Port]

I’m looking at putting a 2 way butt on my F Open gun, it’s only udjustable vertically which is what I need as I can’t get my shoulder all the way down for 100% shoulder contact so moving butt pad up around 40mm will do it.For benchrest though I’ve found there’s always a way I can get comfortable behind most guns, even if shooting free recoil I like to have most of the butt hit my shoulder square..

I have a fully adjustable new one somewhere around the shop. If your interested I'll never use it, I just have to find it. Not sure what shipping is like, might cost more than the part.

 

[Rust]

Back when I could only afford one custom competition rifle and wanted to shoot multiple types of matches, I had it built with a three way butt plate. So I shoot prone, off a bench, with a front rest and bag, and with a rear bag and bipod. The rifle can be adjusted for any position, and no, I don't shoot free recoil. Even had a little success with it. Since then, I've built two more with pretty much the same layout.

I just haven't been able to bring myself to build a one trick pony of a rifle.

 

[KenOath]

I have a fully adjustable new one somewhere around the shop. If your interested I'll never use it, I just have to find it. Not sure what shipping is like, might cost more than the part.

Thankyou for the offer but I have one on hand..

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Eventually youll shoot free recoil from the bench. Having adjustable stuff on your stock is nothing but weight and something to snag causing unexplained flyers. As far as trying one to fit just get one that tracks right and learn around it. They work for everybody else. Fit is only important on a shotgun

 

[Shynloco]

Phil,
I've been shooting rifles most of my life (55 yrs+) without an adjustable cheek and butt plate. But I just bought an nice H & S stock with both adjustments and I have been shooting strictly Benchrest for the last 15 yrs. And what I've found, is that the adjustability factor allows me to use different rear shooting bags and to adjust to the difference in the bags and how the rifle reacts to each bag. Now accuracy is my thing and I've been able to maintain the same accuracy regardless of the rear bag I've used. But to be honest, I'm not sure the adjustable stocks are worth the expenditure but I do like being able to adjust positioning, even if for fun which is also a priority.

Alex

 

[Phil3]

Thanks Alex, and all, for the comments. It is too easy for me to get caught up in all the features and such on a stock, and have decided to forego a chassis system and stick with a conventional stock with an adjustable cheekrest only. This is something I do find is critical to having a good sight picture and avoidance of contorting myself to fit a scope that is at the wrong height. I also realized that my sometimes awkward feeling shooting position is not the stock, but is more "me", where I sit, the height of my stool, etc. So, spent some time with one rifle on the dining room table getting it set up for me, and it is much better, and has no adjustable anything. I did have to had a cheek pad though. Scope is low, but now low enough.

Since I will not be shooting prone, I felt if I could make a rifle feel right to me, off a table, I will be good to go on any bench.

Phil

 

[butchlambert]

I think the worst thing in the World for a BR or F Open shooter would be a stock that you put your shoulder into and cheek also. It is different for other type shooting.

 

[KenOath]

I think the worst thing in the World for a BR or F Open shooter would be a stock that you put your shoulder into and cheek also. It is different for other type shooting.

So your saying free recoil is the way to go for both disciplines?

 

[butchlambert]

I have inadvertently put my shoulder into the stock causing a round to drop almost an inch. I do have my hand loosely on the grip only and when I built my BR stocks, I made the butt real short.
I will always remember shooting at Dietz's range and was leading the agg with a teen agg. My last group had 4 shots in a .150. I somehow or other got my shoulder into the butt and the bullet dropped about .8 of an inch. I went from first to 20th. The group size was appropriate a .911

 

[ballisticdaddy]

I think the worst thing in the World for a BR or F Open shooter would be a stock that you put your shoulder into and cheek also. It is different for other type shooting.

According to the NRA rules, for F-Class (Page 67 in section 3.4) "The rifle must be fired in the prone position from the shoulder of the competitor using rifle rests as defined in Rule 3.4.1(a)"

 

[butchlambert]

Is that F Open or FTR?

 

[ballisticdaddy]

Is that F Open or FTR?

This is listed in the F-Class Open section on page 67 and the F-TR section has the same exact wording...so both disciplines