Short LoP gun help

[Clint KY]

I need some advice. I am looking for a bolt action .243, but I have short arms and my Length of Pull is only 12.75”. Most of the newer synthetic stocks have a LoP in excess of 13.5” and some as high as 13.75”. Being synthetic (plastic) makes shortening the stock beyond my capabilities. Some of the wooden stocks have the cheek rest so close to the butt plate shortening them is problematic also. I have looked at some of the “Youth” models, but they are normally too short, being in the 12” range.

Short of buying a rifle and then spending about the same amount on a custom stock (that ain’t gonna happen) does anyone have any ideas how I might find a gun that fits?

[hardluk1]

Check out BOYD'S STOCKS. There not costly stocks with darn near all around 100 bucks.

Contact Boyd's Stock and see if they can work something out for you to help with a shorter LOP to a laminate stock. I cut a stock of theres some years back to 13" with a heavy simms recoil pad for my kids to use. The high comb " check rest" was never a concern. !3" could easily been shorter too.
Your 12.75" does not seem a big deal atleast with there stocks.

My boyd's JR classic has a LOP of 13 5/8ths ". Machineing for the check rest is a full 1 3/4" forward of there . Thats the same stock i cut down on my girls rifle. I also use it. So your LOP should not be problem depending on your rifle.

[Clint KY]

Boyd's specifically says that they will NOT do any custom work which includes adjusting the LoP. That option still takes a $300 gun and makes it a $400 gun that is worth $300. I was hoping that someone might be able to suggest a Youth model a bit longer than most or a model with straight stock that I can shorten myself. One of my rifles came with a recoil pad and I removed it without any ill effect as it is only a .223 and the recoil pad was not needed. I bought a flat butt plate from Brownell's and it fits fine.

[JLA]

Easy. You sound like a mechanically enclined fella. Get a youth model and make a spacer for the buttstock that will fit under the buttpad. something you can easily shape to the stock and buttpad. If its a wood stock gun, make a wood spacer. plastic stock, use plastic.

[JLA]

They also make slip on recoil reducers that will lengthen the LOP. Limbsaver has a small that will fit most any youth stock and adds about an inch or so to the length.

[CHW2021]

For a new production rifle, look at the Mossberg super bantam model of the 100 atr rifle; the lop is adjustable from 12 to 13 inches.
Otherwise, you may want to look at the used rifle section for available wood stocked rifles and take a few measurements, possibly a swap from a recoil pad to a solid buttplate could help, or perhaps a swap from a thicker shotgun style pad to a thinner rifle style pad could get you close.

Also, there are a number of adjustable shotgun adapters.pads and such shown in the Brownells catalog that may increase the range of options for fitting a rifle to your frame. If you are fitting a gun to yourself only, do not be too bashful about cutting a wood stock; beauty may have to take a backseat to fit in your case.

[Clint KY]

Originally Posted by JLA

They also make slip on recoil reducers that will lengthen the LOP. Limbsaver has a small that will fit most any youth stock and adds about an inch or so to the length.

Thanks - I did not know that and while a .243 doesn't really need one it certainly adds to the gun.

[cpttango30]

Richards microfit is where you need to look. http://www.rifle-stocks.com/economy_line_styles.htm

Get the basic stock and cut her down. A chop saw, some rasps and files sandpaper and you are good to go. Get yourself a grind to fit pad and put it on there and get it close then finish it when you finish sand the stock then slap a few coats of finish on the stock bang your done.

[Clint KY]

While the Richards stocks are inexpensive, they still add $100 to the cost of the gun. I was hoping to find an existing model that either fits or can be made to fit without much (or any) cost.

[cpttango30]

Any gun with a wooden stock can be made to fit. Just cut it down and put a grind to fit on it grind it to fit (If you have sander that will handle the task). Still gonna cost you some money.

Firearms are build for average people if you are above or below that average then you have to live with it or spend the money to make it work.

Take a look at the Savage 11/111 Lady Hunter. http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11Lady

That might be the ticket you are looking for. I couldn't find a LoP figure on it but I am assuming that since 90% of women are of a smaller frame the LoP would be shorter.

[JLA]

They have an article on the lady hunter in Shooting times this month. The LOP is 12.5".. My wife wants one.

[cpttango30]

I don't think a 1/4" either way is going to make much of a difference.

[Nerostarr]

Look at the Savage Axis Youth in 243, it has a longer LOP than a standard youth rifle. I have one in 223 and I will measure the LOP if you want, it should be exactly the same on the 243.

[jedwil]

I have the Mossberg ATR 100 Super Bantam .243 that CHW2021 mentioned. It has a synthetic stock with butt spacers allowing the LOP to be varied between 12 and 13 inches. It is my goto Whitetail gun. Not pretty but it shoots well and was reasonably priced. The triggers have been improved since I bought mine.

[JLA]

Yeah the mossbergs copied the savage accutrigger.

[Clint KY]

Thanks - that is just the kind of information for which I was looking. I will grab the Shooting Times while I am out on my errands today. I have always had a preference for Savages. And the improved Mossburg trigger is good news as I played with a "full sized" ATR 100 and thought the trigger was gritty.

I am going to have to make a trip to one of the larger shops in Louisville or Lexington as the shops here have very limited stock. They can get me anything I want but I really want to hold it in my hand before I spend the money.

[JLA]

Good thinkin.

[CHW2021]

Hey Clint, before you go dashing off look at the Brownells catalog and check the variety of recoil pads, stocks and other tidbits that are available; more info won't hurt.

I agree with the Savage rifle, but do keep an open mind and remember what you went shopping for.

[hardluk1]

If your rifle has a thick recoil pad on it now take it off. epoxy a standard old school but plat on it smooth the edges with fine sand paper on a block of wood and go to shooting. That would make it 12 3/4".

Just what is your rifle now thats to long to deal with??

[Clint KY]

Originally Posted by hardluk1

If your rifle has a thick recoil pad on it now take it off. epoxy a standard old school but plat on it smooth the edges with fine sand paper on a block of wood and go to shooting. That would make it 12 3/4".

Just what is your rifle now thats to long to deal with??

I have been shortening my rifles since I started to shoot. The problem lies in the new synthetic stocks. I have an NEF which I replaced the recoil pad with a plain butt plate, which is my coyote gun. Other than one of my military rifles, I presently do not have a CF big enough to hunt deer, so am looking for something. I have found some wooden stocked rifles but many have a large cheek rest that extends too far back to be able to remove 1" of the stock without cutting into the rest making the butt pad unmanageable.

I am planning a trip to the "big city" where I can visit a gun shop or two that has a large enough selection for me to find something that suits me. I will either buy it there or if it is an order type sale I will come home and let my local gun shop do that for me. They have been very accommodating and I would like to give them my business. The shop by the way for those of you in west Kentucky, is First Choice Firearms in Murray.

[CHW2021]

Hey Clint, look at the Mosin Nagant rifle whaie you are out, I have always felt the lop was just short for fit to me; maybe it will work in your favor. If nothing else, they are fun to shoot and rather cheap to buy.
Have fun shopping.

[Clint KY]

Originally Posted by CHW2021

Hey Clint, look at the Mosin Nagant rifle whaie you are out.

I am fairly sure that the MN is only available in 7.62X54R - As I said in the original post, I am looking for a .243. If I want to drag out a military rifle, I have a beautiful 03-A3 in the locker.