[quote="Trent] And you didn't post a photo of that???[/quote]


Our team photographer (PPKNY) does have a photo of it but he's on vacation. When he gets back I'll see if he can dig it up and post it.

PPKNY, are you listening???

You can add material to the cheek piece, and hold it in place with tape, they will allow that at the Nationals, but any kind of tape around where your hands hold the stock is really frown on, since they consider it similar to wearing gloves. Since you don't want to screw up the nice finish in your stock, just keep a towel handy and dry your hands, and the stock as required.
Evelio.

You can actually tape items for a cheek piece? Flipflop ! So if I buy one of those after-market cheek pieces and tape it to my stock, thats OK! If I actually mount it then thats illegal?

I thought the gloves rule was to prevent people from wearing the position type shooting gloves. The thing that I find silly is that gloves are allowed when it is cold. So the rule makers are basically saying that if it is cold out you can take advantage of any aid that gloves my provide, but in temperate weather you cannot use that aid. I say allow it all the time or don't. If I wear a glove that allows me to grip my rifle how does that give me an advantage over someone with checkering that does it's job? It doesn't help support the rifle or steady my hold. I feel that the rule needs to be refined to just simply state no supportive gloves, just as they do for shoes.

Tape on the stock is no different than checkering or stipling. It is just an aid for grip. How about if I cut the tape in a fancy shape like checkering? What if I taped my entire stock and called it my finish? How is that different than bed liner finish or paint?

And please don't think I am arguing with you Evelio, I am actually posing these questions to everyone. I have the utmost respect for the rules that are in place, but that doesn't mean that I can't question them.

An interesting thought. Would it be legal to checker the underside of the stock?

It's permanent, so sure. I've also seen composite stocks that had what looked like clear sandpaper bonded to the them in strategic places. Also legal since it was permanent. At times I have to tape a badly damaged thumb to stabilize it for shooting - legal at those times, but illegal at any other.

How about band-aides? Are they illegal??

(I'm just being sarcastic)

Trent wrote:How about band-aides? Are they illegal??

(I'm just being sarcastic)

<sigh> Probably up to the Match Director's discretion...

I'm shooting my taped up rifle tomorrow in a match. I'll report back what some of the guys and match directors think of it. They mentioned last week that my glove would be illegal at a bigger event but they don't mind if I use it for local matches. I don't want to do that though. I want to be consistent with the rules.

On this subject of tape and checkering, I picked up a CZ "Custom" the other day in a local shop that had what I am guessing was laser etched stipling instead of traditional checkering. Holy smokes did it have some serious grip to it. I had kung-fu grip jealousy.

Evelio Mc Donald wrote:You can add material to the cheek piece, and hold it in place with tape, they will allow that at the Nationals, but any kind of tape around where your hands hold the stock is really frown on, since they consider it similar to wearing gloves. Since you don't want to screw up the nice finish in your stock, just keep a towel handy and dry your hands, and the stock as required.
Evelio.

I am using tape to actually change shape of the stock too. My hands are small, the trigger on the SA 54 is too far forward so I put enough tape on it to give my hand a forward position.

I do not understand why this is illegal, but a person with a 10 grand budget can have a fancy stock made to do the same thing but it would be permanant. That is not fair or logical.

Also, this tape has been on here since squirrel season. Does that make it permanant?

There is always a disparity in equipment, and even worse there are huge differences in talent, discipline, and practice! My personal best score was with a factory stock Remington 504, no vest, and spending all summer at the range. Since then my equipment has improved dramatically but scores have declined because I practice less. If equipment were the deciding factor I'd be AAA or master by now, but practice is the magic bullet you're looking for.

Get a rifle you like, a case of ammunition the rifle likes, and go practice. Comply with the rules, however mindless they seem, and have fun!

Shot my taped up Weatherby XXII today. Mind you that I only have a single layer of athletic tape on the stock. Call it poor man's checkering. I asked for people's opinions today at the match and it provided an interesting conversation and I think everyone felt that it would be legal. This is by no means a definitive answer as it is always up to the match director.

Another option, that is probably more professional looking... therefor more perceived as "permanent", would be the Pachmayr "pac-skin" (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... ber=112784)that is meant for this very thing. I am considering ordering this or maybe cutting some clear grip tape like that used on skateboard decks.

Here is a photo of the Pachmayr option as shown on MidwayUSA. It wraps around the front and sides of the pistol grip area on the rifle stock. They also sell sheets that can be custom cut.

Another option would be to use Cramer's "Sure Grip" spray. It is a natural rosin that is sprayed on the fingers and palm. Champion's Choice sells it. It is intended for athletes in order to provide grip even when the hands are wet or sweaty. This is not a glove, and it is not attached to the rifle. Would be a pain in the arse to have to deal with spraying the stuff on your hands though.

http://www.champchoice.com/detail.aspx?ID=515

What about bondo? Permanantly alter the grip geometry. 1 layer of anything will not do what I need done as far as grip ergronomics go.

And yep, I am practicing. I have shot half a case in the last month

I'll post a picture when I get home in May. The 'Flip-Flop' cheek piece went through NATIONALS inspection without a question.
ppkny