How long is "too long"

[sgt_zim]

Get your minds out of the gutter.

My current project is to get all my rifles to the correct LOP. Right now, they're all OEM, so 13.5 or 13.75". I need to lengthen them all to 14.75 or 15".

Standard screw length to attach recoil pad to butt stock is roughly 2", and it looks as though I'll need to go to 3.5" or even 4" screws to get my rifles to an appropriate length. Screws are terrific at holding a static vertical load, but are brittle and don't do sheer well at all, if at all.

At nearly double the length, I'm a little concerned over the extra torque that can be imparted via every day use (not the actual shooting part, just all the other stuff that goes along with transporting them and hunting with them). Am I being overly paranoid? Or is this potentially a thing? Is my only real option to spend a fortune on bespoke stocks? Add to THAT complication is that I am a lefty.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Sounds pretty complicated? I just put a large 1" Limbsaver slip on recoil pad over the existing factory pad on my CZ 550s and it works well. I did the same with my Browning A Bolt .338. They stay on pretty well.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Sounds pretty complicated? I just put a large 1" Limbsaver slip on recoil pad over the existing factory pad on my CZ 550s and it works well. I did the same with my Browning A Bolt .338. They stay on pretty well.

I found the limb saver slip tended to move about on the stock from side to side so I took 3m double sided tape and put it on the stock and it’s held the pad much better.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I found the limb saver slip tended to move about on the stock from side to side so I took 3m double sided tape and put it on the stock and it’s held the pad much better.

Good idea. I think I'll do that too.

 

[Red Leg]

Get your minds out of the gutter.

My current project is to get all my rifles to the correct LOP. Right now, they're all OEM, so 13.5 or 13.75". I need to lengthen them all to 14.75 or 15".

Standard screw length to attach recoil pad to butt stock is roughly 2", and it looks as though I'll need to go to 3.5" or even 4" screws to get my rifles to an appropriate length. Screws are terrific at holding a static vertical load, but are brittle and don't do sheer well at all, if at all.

At nearly double the length, I'm a little concerned over the extra torque that can be imparted via every day use (not the actual shooting part, just all the other stuff that goes along with transporting them and hunting with them). Am I being overly paranoid? Or is this potentially a thing? Is my only real option to spend a fortune on bespoke stocks? Add to THAT complication is that I am a lefty.

How tall are you? 15" is a very long LOP. Normally usually most of the time, a rifle stock should be 3/4 to an inch shorter than a properly fitted shotgun. I am just under six-feet and shoot 14 1/2 to 14 3/4 inch shotguns depending on drop. I do not own a bolt action with LOP longer than 14" (and it needs to be trimmed).

 

[Firebird]

I’ll bet he is He is 6’4”. Are you ever going to hunt where you will be wearing a warm coat?

 

[Fabnosh]

Sorted.

FN

 

[sgt_zim]

How tall are you? 15" is a very long LOP. Normally usually most of the time, a rifle stock should be 3/4 to an inch shorter than a properly fitted shotgun. I am just under six-feet and shoot 14 1/2 to 14 3/4 inch shotguns depending on drop. I do not own a bolt action with LOP longer than 14" (and it needs to be trimmed).

I'm 6'6", sleeve length is 38"

15" is my measured LOP, but I'm really shooting for 14.75". I have a couple rifles that I'll only go to 14.5" because I use them in cold weather. But "cold" where my deer woods are is 25-30º, and even 55º isn't unusual for a January morning. I don't wear real cold weather gear more than 3 or 4 days in a given deer season.

 

[ecall91]

I have always been perplexed by the long length of pull conversation. I have a skeet shooting background and a degree in gunsmithing from the Colorado School of Trades. I took classes on fitting shotguns and would never recommend a length of pull of longer than 14.5 for a shotgun for an individual shorter than 6'1. I have an friend that is a lanky 6'8 that built a custom k80 and had a stock made and professionally fitted. His length of pull is 15". As a rule of thumb rifle stocks should a little shorter than shotgun stocks. If you are sitting anywhere from 5'10 to 6' I would not recommend a length of pull longer than 13.75" for a rifle.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Your wood screw mate to the recoil pad plate. The depth of the pad in relation to the screws should make no difference unless you are using a spacer plate.

 

[sgt_zim]

No offense to all the midgets here (which is almost all of you), but trying to describe the issues associated with being really tall seems to be about the same as trying to describe color to a person who's been blind since birth.

 

[sgt_zim]

I found the limb saver slip tended to move about on the stock from side to side so I took 3m double sided tape and put it on the stock and it’s held the pad much better.

That is indeed the issue I ran into with slip-ons. Didn't even think about using double-sided tape.

Something to ponder, then. A 1" slip-on should get me to 14.5" on any of my rifles.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I am 5’ 8” and shoot left handed. I own and shoot SxS and O/U shotguns that are professionally fitted. They are all 14 7/8” LOP.
My rifles (which are custom built and fitted) have similar LOPs. Most people can accustom themselves to rifles that do not properly fit them, which is not as critical as fit when shooting a shotgun.
A person’s height may or may not bear a close relationship to the correct LOP, DAC, or cast for their firearm.
Usually, I have stocks bent, extended or re-stocked to accommodate my needs.
I suggest that you put a small extension of ebony, horn, or plastic on the butt and then a pad to bring the stock to the length you require.

 

[93marlin]

I'm 6'3".
The rifle that me best is ancient JP Sauer double rifle. It fits like a bespoke rifle. It's 14.5 inches.

 

[BourbonTrail]

@sgt_zim - I feel your pain. I am contemplating this very debacle with my 416 (currently using a slip on to get it to 14.5 LOP). I plan to buy spacers and and 1.5” recoil pad from NECG and attach using the glue/screw approach. I’m also trying to hit 15” LOP. (I’m an inch shorter, but at a 6’8” wingspan and longer neck)

@rookhawk makes us both look short, maybe he has some insight.

 

[Inline6]

Get your minds out of the gutter.

My current project is to get all my rifles to the correct LOP. Right now, they're all OEM, so 13.5 or 13.75". I need to lengthen them all to 14.75 or 15".

Standard screw length to attach recoil pad to butt stock is roughly 2", and it looks as though I'll need to go to 3.5" or even 4" screws to get my rifles to an appropriate length. Screws are terrific at holding a static vertical load, but are brittle and don't do sheer well at all, if at all.

At nearly double the length, I'm a little concerned over the extra torque that can be imparted via every day use (not the actual shooting part, just all the other stuff that goes along with transporting them and hunting with them). Am I being overly paranoid? Or is this potentially a thing? Is my only real option to spend a fortune on bespoke stocks? Add to THAT complication is that I am a lefty.

Unless you are going to butt stroke something with said rifle, I don't see it being an issue. Everything can break, for what you are trying to accomplish. The spacers/recoil pad will take up most of what you are thinking. The screws will sandwich the parts to the stock itself. Hopefully I'm explaining the way the load will be distributed in a way that is understood. The screws themselves will not take on the entire load.

 

[sgt_zim]

I am 5’ 8” and shoot left handed. I own and shoot SxS and O/U shotguns that are professionally fitted. They are all 14 7/8” LOP.
My rifles (which are custom built and fitted) have similar LOPs. Most people can accustom themselves to rifles that do not properly fit them, which is not as critical as fit when shooting a shotgun.
A person’s height may or may not bear a close relationship to the correct LOP, DAC, or cast for their firearm.
Usually, I have stocks bent, extended or re-stocked to accommodate my needs.
I suggest that you put a small extension of ebony, horn, or plastic on the butt and then a pad to bring the stock to the length you require.

For my light-recoiling rifles like my 6.5x55 and my 280AI, not a big deal. But my 45-70, 9.3x62, and 404J are a little stiff in the recoil department, especially when firing from a bench. I'm told that a proper LOP will take a bit of starch out of the recoil.

The real issue with the larger bores is load development. It's a challenge to shoot any of them more than about 10 or 12 times during a range session. I've got a PAST pad on order, that should help some.

 

[PARA45]

Man, at 5'5", I really feel really short next to you guys. But I don't have an issue with rifles being too long or too short.

 

[sgt_zim]

@sgt_zim - I feel your pain. I am contemplating this very debacle with my 416 (currently using a slip on to get it to 14.5 LOP). I plan to buy spacers and and 1.5” recoil pad from NECG and attach using the glue/screw approach. I’m also trying to hit 15” LOP. (I’m an inch shorter, but at a 6’8” wingspan and longer neck)

@rookhawk makes us both look short, maybe he has some insight.

I had looked at buying spacers, actually have a couple. But I got an idea on another forum. Home Depot has pure birch planks available in 1x3 of whatever length I want. Birch takes stain well, and is easy to sand to fit. The only moderate challenge of taking that route is cutting the slotted holes

 

[Challer]

That is indeed the issue I ran into with slip-ons. Didn't even think about using double-sided tape.

Something to ponder, then. A 1" slip-on should get me to 14.5" on any of my rifles.

If you don't want to restock, I would consider splicing in a new piece of wood with dowels and West System epoxy. A good refinish may get to a decent color match. Then install the pad of your choice.