Rifle stock fitting and effects on target

[SpencerC87]

Looking for a little information or guidance in this area. I've tried searching and have only found some broad, generic info, but hoping to hear something a little more in depth. I'm an FTR shooter that likes to hold onto the rifle, free recoil doesn't seem to work for me. I've come across some thing about fitting shotguns, but not sure how much that applies from being standing and sweeping a target to static prone shooting. I don't feel like I'm articulating myself very well so maybe I'll just rattle off some questions
Other than the extremes of comfort, is there a wrong length of pull?
Where on the butt plate should it be contacting your body ie, do you always want the center of recoil pad to be in the center of shoulder pocket?
What about butt plate pitch and roll, how do find the best pitch angle, if other than 90deg?
What about grip to trigger distance?
Is there a bad grip angle?

Over this last winter I made a few of my own stocks with varying dimensions and all feel decent, but, am I leaving anything on the table by not having them fit 100%?

 

[LVLAaron]

Not a stock maker, and I hope to never be one... Do whatever makes the stock track the same way every time you shoot it.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I don't know the answers to your questions but it basically comes down to consistency. Part of that is based on your body's natural point of aim.

When you get into your FTR prone position relax your entire body THEN place the rifle into the position. You will have to rotate your body position to get the rifle pointed at the target when you're relaxed. Then you can make changes to the stock to get it to fit more comfortable.

 

[Kurz]

My answer was going to turn into a book so I stopped.

I can suggest doing a real search for the information you're looking for. There are some YouTube videos that might help also.

Other than the extremes of comfort, is there a wrong length of pull? Yes.
Where on the butt plate should it be contacting your body ie, do you always want the center of recoil pad to be in the center of shoulder pocket? No, watch where the military guys mount their ARs.
What about butt plate pitch and roll, how do find the best pitch angle, if other than 90deg? Depends on how your shoulder is formed and if there are any variations in the pocket. Length of your neck. Cheek bones.
What about grip to trigger distance? Imperative to be correct!
Is there a bad grip angle? Yes, as discomfort has an ill effect on your ability to be accurate.

I broke my shoulder years ago when I was shooting shotgun competitively. I had to rethink my adjustable butt stock a lot.

I was helping a young lady learn some simple shotgun target shooting. Unfortunately, she was blessed with pendulous breasts and had a terrible time shouldering correctly. I crafted an offset stock which solved that problem.

Everything on stocks is a variable although not all apply to everyone.

 

[Allen Corneau]

As a Silhouette shooter I do all my shooting standing/off-hand, so ergonomics of the rifles are extremely important to good performance. Unfortunately, NRA Silhouette has restrictions on various measurements of the rifles, so we have to find the best compromise of fit while staying within the rules.

I'm pretty sure the F-TR rules are much closer to ISSF-style Prone/3P rules than Silhouette, so looking at those kind of resources would probably be more relevant and helpful. TargetTalk has a lot of the information and discussion of the Olympic-style shooting disciplines, so I would go there and read up as much as you can, then ask any remaining questions. I've found the folks on the forum to be generally friendly and helpful (with a few exceptions), although fairly low in activity.

Good luck.

 

[Will Henry]

Because you are speaking of "F" class, and the front of the rifle is rested, your only real concern is the length of pull, comb height, and butt angle and pitch. Length of pull positions you for the correct eye-relief. Comb height positions your head for scope alignment and keeps your neck from getting sore (this for the more mature shooters, mostly). Pitch isn't too critical, and no pitch is probably fine. Butt angle controls cant. That's all I've got! WH

 

[Fast14riot]

Some F/TR shooters are using BR stocks, could always look at those for dimensions and fit, too.

 

[ELR LVR]

Looking for a little information or guidance in this area. I've tried searching and have only found some broad, generic info, but hoping to hear something a little more in depth. I'm an FTR shooter that likes to hold onto the rifle, free recoil doesn't seem to work for me. I've come across some thing about fitting shotguns, but not sure how much that applies from being standing and sweeping a target to static prone shooting. I don't feel like I'm articulating myself very well so maybe I'll just rattle off some questions
Other than the extremes of comfort, is there a wrong length of pull?
Where on the butt plate should it be contacting your body ie, do you always want the center of recoil pad to be in the center of shoulder pocket?
What about butt plate pitch and roll, how do find the best pitch angle, if other than 90deg?
What about grip to trigger distance?
Is there a bad grip angle?

Over this last winter I made a few of my own stocks with varying dimensions and all feel decent, but, am I leaving anything on the table by not having them fit 100%?

If you are holding the gun instead of using free recoil
Same placement in the shoulder is critical
You must put the butt in the EXACT and I MEAN EXACT same spot
or it will deflect differently every time
It took me a long time to develop the muscle memory for just how it "FEELS" the same every time
(YEARS)
it must be in that same spot including after every single shot.
You must find that spot where the rifle tracks perfectly, (Doesnt deflect left or right)
------------
You must also hold the rifle with the same amount of shoulder pressure for each shot
going from heavy, then slacking up a bit to medium to getting relaxed to a light hold will throw each shot differently
------------
Shoot a 3 shot group starting with
Free recoil
Then hold the rifle lightly
Then hold the rifle tight as possible with a death grip
And you'll see what I mean
------------
I have one rifle (and this is beyond me why)
I must hold it with just a slight amount more of pressure in my shoulder than a light hold
not quite medium but just under that
or groups open slightly and may throws shots
but if I hold it the way it likes me to
it shoots 0.1's and will continue to shoot them all in the same hole,
If I havent shot it in some time and I forget it likes a special type of hold
I keep thinking its the ammo or the barrel is worn
then i remember "Oh yeah, this one is special" and have to remind my hold pressure
-----------
So you might experiment with Light, to Medium, to Death Grip hold and see what results you get

 

[Rat Rifle]

I am not a professional stock maker, but I do make the stocks I need for My personal use. I agree with the above advice. I suggest that You set up in Your FTR shooting position aiming at a target. Now close Your eyes and shoulder the rifle in a way that is comfortable and that You will shoot. Now open Your eyes. What are You seeing? Are You looking down the side of the scope? Is the rifle riding the bags in a position that will be repeatable? This exercise will tell You what You need to know about adjustments that may be needed to Your stock.