Looking for advice on stock pitch for a hard kicker

[Adam in WI]

Does stock pitch make a difference on a hard recoiling rifle? I have a Winchester miroku 1886 that I decided to fit a different stock to since I intend to shoot some heavy loads with it and the crescent butt plate just doesn't seem to settle into my shoulder well when raising the rifle. I'm just about ready to trim the stock back a little bit to fit a recoil pad, so I though I would ask if I should keep this stock pitch or should it be changed slightly? It shoulders well and the sights come right to my eye; but will changing the angle aid in how the rifle recoils without negatively affecting this? Hopefully the picture explains the dimensions I'm concerned with better than I can.

 

[Twdmar]

I think it does make a difference but not a lot and not as much as the angle the stock drops from below the bore axis has. Unfortunately that angle is set. Thankfully making that cut is easy. I would not be afraid to change it.

 

[Will Henry]

I think neutral pitch is probably fine. One should try to maximize shoulder contact ona gun that kicks. JMO. WH

 

[Adam in WI]

I think neutral pitch is probably fine. One should try to maximize shoulder contact ona gun that kicks. JMO. WH

So 90° from the bore?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Lots of shoulder area and a comb that angles away from your face(downward) will reduce perceived recoil. You can take a lot harder punch in the shoulder than in the face, before it rattles your teeth.

 

[Twdmar]

Lots of shoulder area and a comb that angles away from your face(downward) will reduce perceived recoil. You can take a lot harder punch in the shoulder than in the face, before it rattles your teeth.

I agree with this. The 90 degree buttplate allows better distribution of the recoil force on many stocks but I would consider leaving a little angle, perhaps a few degrees to allow the recoil to push the muzzle down, pishing the stock away from your face a bit.
The recoil is not all in your shoulder but also what you feel in your face.

 

[Will Henry]

So 90° from the bore?

Yeah. That is what I would do. As far as your face is concerned, it really depends a lot on your facial structure and the line of sight. WH

 

[TaperPin]

I’m not real sensitive to recoil, but must suffer from a bony shoulder and always thought more could be brought to market to help make big guns more enjoyable.

Recoil pads have to be very very soft and thick or they don’t seem to help much. I can’t seem to ever recall a heavy recoiling gun with anything except the pad 90 degrees to the bore.

Good luck!