Beginner Fit/Hold Questions

[Peebles]

I tried smallbore silhouette last weekend and now I want to get my own rifle to get into the game. Getting a rifle/stock that fits is important to me since I am 6'3" and most rifles don't work for me. I tried a CZ and an older Brno, but neither had a monte carlo and I was not able to get a good cheek weld. I have two questions about this. One is general and one is specific.

How should I be bringing the rifle against my face, and what head posture should I try to achieve? Where on my cheek should I be making contact with the stock? My understanding is that with a good cheek weld I should have my head upright and the scope should be mounted so that it is naturally in front of my eyes. Is this correct?

My more specific question now is which rifle/stock should I buy? An Anschutz 1712 is unfortunately not in my budget, and I can't get any cheek weld on the popularly recommended CZs. When I hold a straight stocked rifle I run into two common problems: my eyes are low relative to the bore (making it hard to use a scope), and the buttpiece rides very high on my shoulder. Depending on the rifle this usually means just the bottom corner of the butt on my clavicle.

To complicate matters I live in a small town in Canada so selection can be limited, particularly in terms of getting to hold/try a lot of different rifles. Value for price is different here too compared to the USA. I am considering a Sako Quad, a T-Bolt, a Savage, or even a semi-custom with a donor CZ action moved to a better fit stock (and maybe a trigger job done). I searched the forum before asking, but I still didn't come up with a clear answer to my questions. Thank you to everyone that takes the time to help.

[Jerry G]

You should be able to see down the center of your scope with the butt of the rifle high in your shoulder and have a good solid cheek weld. You can build a monte carlo on your existing stock but make sure it is low enough to be legal. You can modify your stock but be sure it ends up looking like a "hunter rifle" whatever that is. There have been some pictures posted here on steel chickens of hunter rifle stocks and a search on them may be helpful.

Most match directors don't look at your rifle very close for the club matches so you may get away with some minor infractions and with their comments you can make some minor adjustments. The old Bruno stock isn't very valuable so go ahead and modify it a little. Raise the comb and make the pistol grip a little more vertical. A little wood and some bondo can make the thing fit you better.

Have fun shooting and don't expect a 30 right out of the chute. Most newbies shoot in the low teens.

[yankee]

The following pictures will show what I did to one stock I had that had a low comb. On some rifles I have made a similar cut to the lower part of the stock to lower the toe of the stock to get more of the but pad into the shoulder. The fun part about this game is that everyone is built different. Longer necks, longer faces, longer bodies. You will have to find out what best suits you. Generally speaking, head erect and body comfortable, put the rifle stock in the position in your shoulder that is comfortable for your face, neck and cheek. Then open your eyes and you should be looking through your scope.
Sorry the photos would not load something about 1mb maximum size. Pm me and send your e-mail and I will send them to you
Yankee

[OldRanger]

Here is a web site with a lot of info for a new shooter.
http://www.riflesilhouette.com/
It has a part about your head alignment (straight up and down, not tilted much) and how to put the rifle up on your shoulder. You might need to get the cz then put a cheek pad on it to help the fit.


I'm 6'2" AND left handed, so I feel your pain. I 'had' to buy a custom stocked 1712 to get a good fit, but there are many other ways to go.

[snaketail2]

I hadn't looked at the video in a couple of years and have a comment.

The video shows, what I hope is, time lapse video. We are given 120 seconds to knock down five targets...anyone who shoots as fast as the video shows will quickly become frustrated with the sport (Or, perhaps become a Mater shooter in record time).

Don't get the idea that you have, or are suppose to, shoot that fast.

I try to do things to slow myself down - so I won't shoot fast.

So, enjoy the video, but don't shoot that fast.

Michael

PS: Look at the Ruger American .22 rifle for Hunter Class silhouette shooting. Adjustable stock, good trigger and not a lot of $.

OLDRANGER - where did you get that cheek pad? I could use one like that.
M

[OldRanger]

OLDRANGER - where did you get that cheek pad? I could use one like that.M

I just googled 'leather rifle cheek pad' and that was one that came up ;)
Its actually an M1 cheek pad. Here is one similar on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Garand-Leather-Sn ... B00H7J14MU

[DennisC]

Sometimes a home brew is the best option. Do some searching for "micro spheres" "micro bubbles" etc. which are mixed with epoxies to gain bulk, epoxy..'bondo' by itself adds weight much faster than you might think while the use of 'spheres' can get you a fist sized build up at only couple grams.
I set up with high mount rings, moulded up the cheek piece extra high and before it set, laid thin saran wrap over the mound, baby powdered my cheek and shouldered the rifle. Carefully settled into position until scope was in position and let set.... may take couple of attempts but it's as 'custom' as you can get.
After set up a cleaning rod through from the muzzle will give you 'rock of the eye' clearance to assure cheek piece height is not above bore centerline.