Greg.L Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 So other than just being a bad shot, is there anything that can't be solved by a gun fit? Reason for asking, my current gun feels like it fits fairly well off the shelf and i hit a reasonable amount with it. But i'm looking to 'upgrade', i've tried a friends gun that I've fallen in love with look, feel, balance wise and it shoulders nicely but when i tried it i definitely shot worse than with my gun. Despite this i still fancy one. My understanding is when we're talking an average size guy (maybe slightly taller) with average build and an off the shelf gun it should only be a matter of tweaks to get it to fit correctly. Does this sound correct or am i missing something? Im happy to buy and pay for adjustments as i'd plan on keeping it for many years but don't want to buy and find that it can't be tweaked because of something i've not thought of. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Gun fit does not solve all. A reliable and consistent mount is required before a fitter could sort out any gun fit issues. Then any of the modern mass produced "average" guns could be fitted to you. You will then keep the gun until you fall in love with another one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fil Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 On the whole gun fit is very important. I know some people can shoot round anything, too long, too short, not enough cast etc. With out getting too technical, if you are "Joe average" then yes it should only take a few tweaks. Most out of the box guns never seem to have enough cast but everyone is different. Paying a lot of money for a gun and then skimping on getting it fitted is something I can never understand. Not that I'm saying you are. I know a lot of people over look gun fit then get fed up with the gun then sell it because they couldn't get on with it. Rather than spend a few quid getting it fitted properly in the first place. 4 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Gun fit does not solve all. A reliable and consistent mount is required before a fitter could sort out any gun fit issues. Then any of the modern mass produced "average" guns could be fitted to you. You will then keep the gun until you fall in love with another one. Very true on all counts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Novice Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 How much, roughly, would it cost to have a gun fitted to you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Gun fit is important but also happens to be greatly over-stated, it doesn't solve anything other than comfort in mounting and the recoil phase being made manageable and unobtrusive. It is perfectly possible to pick up a gun whose FIT is nigh on perfect and yet struggle to put in decent scores with it, been there done that. An expert shot will always outshoot a poor/average shot with their own gun because he understands and has knowledge of matters beyond gun fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fil Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Prices vary from gun shop to gun smith. Then there is the fitting at the shooting ground. Casting a stock is one price then there is lengthening or shortening as well if necessary. So I'm afraid it is not a straight forward answer. Get the fitting first. Then you have measurements to show a gunsmith and they can then see what they have to quote for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg.L Posted January 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Thanks for the replies so far. I should have said that i realise mount and technique are also very important factors but i was just asking about stock adjustments assuming that the mount is ok. It's my understanding that even if my mount was perfect and consistent every-time if i'm looking down the side of the barrels due to the wrong cast then i'm always going to struggle if that makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fil Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 9 minutes ago, Greg.L said: Thanks for the replies so far. I should have said that i realise mount and technique are also very important factors but i was just asking about stock adjustments assuming that the mount is ok. It's my understanding that even if my mount was perfect and consistent every-time if i'm looking down the side of the barrels due to the wrong cast then i'm always going to struggle if that makes sense. Yupp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 12 minutes ago, Greg.L said: Thanks for the replies so far. I should have said that i realise mount and technique are also very important factors but i was just asking about stock adjustments assuming that the mount is ok. It's my understanding that even if my mount was perfect and consistent every-time if i'm looking down the side of the barrels due to the wrong cast then i'm always going to struggle if that makes sense. Yes, that does make sense. Most people buy a gun and then learn to shoot with it, me included. It was only after a few years and guns which didn’t suit ( Berettas ) that I learned how to get the best out of my shooting. Fortunately for me, I discovered that Brownings, Winchester’s and Mirokus were more to my liking than most guns by giving me a flat sight picture ( little to no rib ) and after spending many many hours practising my mount, ( which is still do on a weekly basis ) I then learned about ‘lead’ ( as in dog lead ) on many clay shoots. I hit more than I miss, but the reverse was true for many years. None of this is possible without a good gun fit, a consistently correct gun mount, and ‘swwwwiiiinnng’! ? There are no quick fixes nor short cuts I’m afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg.L Posted January 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 I find myself in a similar position. I've tried a browning 725 that i got on fairly well with but it's the beretta that i really like/want despite not shooting very well with it. So have two choices, i either buy the gun i like more and have it adjusted or the gun that seems to fit better off the shelf... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garygreengrass Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 I found a gun gun with a adjustable comb works well for me.The way I set mine up was to stick a drinking straw on to the back end of the rib and adjust the comb until I was looking straight through the straw at the bead on the gun rib. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 22 minutes ago, garygreengrass said: I found a gun gun with a adjustable comb works well for me.The way I set mine up was to stick a drinking straw on to the back end of the rib and adjust the comb until I was looking straight through the straw at the bead on the gun rib. Hadn’t thought of that one! That would work for those who prefer a flat shooting view. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Look at gun fit like zeroing a rifle scope, if things are not lined up you ain't going to hit anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Agree wholeheartedly with Dougy above Gun fit is very important. If it doesn't fit then that is just one thing against you not shooting well. A visit to a genuine 'fitter' stock maker is worth every penny. I have two side by side English guns which i had fitted 35yrs ago. I do not have to 'aim' either of them, just look at the bird and mount. I have a Yilditz 30 inch barrel O/U 410 which when I picked it up it felt like it was made for me. Similarly with this gun I don't actually aim it. It comes up so well for me. BUT!! NOW!!!. In the recent cold spell, where standing on the flat Lincolnshire countryside has just about frozen you to the floor I have worn extra clothing and a thick coat I do not normally wear. My performance was abysmal probably 10 to 1 rather than the average 2.5 to 1. Last week, I braved the elements and took the coat off for the last drive, shooting just in shirt sleaves and a fleece vest. Imediately back to normal and shot 10 birds on that drive, two right and lefts and two screaming 40yrd partridge. SO !! bear in mind, no matter how well a gun feels in the gun shop and you are wearing light clothing, it will change if you put on a thick coat or whatever. Try to have fitted or selecting a gun when wearing what your normal shooting clothing is worn. Makes a big difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertt Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 (edited) With regards to the above: Bought a secondhand AYA S x S last year and handled 7 till I found one that mounted exactly where I was looking, I didn't consider buying one and having it fitted. I would imagine the AYA's were different ages and batches. Which brings up something I've never really thought about. Do Shotguns leave the factory with all the same stock dimentions or do they vary the cast, drop, LOP etc ? Edited January 25, 2018 by Robertt Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fil Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 20 minutes ago, Robertt said: With regards to the above: Bought a secondhand AYA S x S last year and handled 7 till I found one that mounted exactly where I was looking, I didn't consider buying one and having it fitted. I would imagine the AYA's were different ages and batches. Which brings up something I've never really thought about. Do Shotguns leave the factory with all the same stock dimentions or do they vary the cast, drop, LOP etc ? I always found AyA's fitted well "out of the box". Not sure if they are all the same. Never measured every one that comes in but definitely the L.O.P. are/were all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertt Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 On reflection a few had recoil pads so had been altered to some degree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haynes Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 I did the same when I bought my Browning, new about 3 years ago. I picked up about 6 all new all 'exactly the same'. Only one fitted so I bought that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grrclark Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 4 hours ago, Hamster said: Gun fit is important but also happens to be greatly over-stated, it doesn't solve anything other than comfort in mounting and the recoil phase being made manageable and unobtrusive. It is perfectly possible to pick up a gun whose FIT is nigh on perfect and yet struggle to put in decent scores with it, been there done that. An expert shot will always outshoot a poor/average shot with their own gun because he understands and has knowledge of matters beyond gun fit. This covers it in my opinion. The handling and balance of a gun is way more important to me. There are some disciplines where it is all about the most consistent mount, such as the various trap disciplines, or skeet, where consistency is key and I can absolutely see the advantage of having a stock highly customised to suit. For the sporting shooter, or more so the fitasc sporting shooter or those who shoot game a good gun mount is of course essential, but you can be shooting below your feet one moment to swinging through the line of a fast driven that could mean you are shooting at a bird that has gone past you. You also shoot a multitude of different angles. For that of course having a good gun fit is important, i.e. your cheek is on the comb and your eye centred over the rib, but there after it is about handling and establishing sight pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg.L Posted January 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 39 minutes ago, grrclark said: your cheek is on the comb and your eye centred over the rib This is the bit i'm most concerned with, LOP and the amount of rib seen was very similar to my own gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grrclark Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 1 hour ago, Greg.L said: This is the bit i'm most concerned with, LOP and the amount of rib seen was very similar to my own gun. There is no right or wrong, just what is right for you. I know a couple of very good shots, Scottish champions at sporting, who have had stocks made for them and within a few months they were back to 'stock' stocks. If you google a lad called Braxton Oliver, who is a world class young shooter from the US, you will see that he shoots with the gun almost below his chin and the rib effectively sits in a line under his nose. He simply knows what the relationship between his gun and the target is and shoots stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 First thing you have to have confidence in yourself and your gun . The moment you start doubting you will miss . If the gun feels "right" then it probably is . All guns will handle and shoot differently , pick up 3 of the same make and model and one will feel best . Accept the fact that some of us can not shoot above a certain level no matter what you have or what it has fitted . You need to learn to shoot the gun you have ,habits carried over from a previous gun may mean it dont work for you . I watched a documentary about Annie Oakley this week , One of the finest natural shooter ever , no multi chokes , no adjustable stocks , no raised ribs .Just shooting with side by side shotgun . I often made the point if a one legged man using a gun with a bright green stock won the Olympics , there would be lot of bright green paint sold , not to mention one or two people making doctors appointments . What works for one dose not always work for another . Yes gun fit is important , as is stance and mount which IMHO is the essential base of all shooting , but as long as a gun comes somewhere close its up to you to find where it shoots and to adapt . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 I would agree with all that but I think inadequate cast is difficult to over come and throws up many of the vision problems that people have.A higher % of these seem to be people using o/u which generally have less cast than S/S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Gun fit is very important but so is technique one with out the other does work well get both perfect and you hit most things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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