Understanding Shotgun Fit | How To Shotgun 6

Hello, and welcome to the 6th installment of our how-to shotgun series! Today we're talking about gun fit in-depth. Shotgun fit plays a crucial role in your shooting performance, and understanding its elements is key to achieving accuracy and comfort. In this blog post, we'll delve into the world of shotgun fit, exploring the various components that come together to create a tailored shooting experience. By the end of this read, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to make informed choices and find shotguns that truly fit your unique physique and shooting style.

The Importance of Shotgun Fit

Shotgun shooting is all about hand-eye coordination. Your eyes are focused on the target, but your shotgun's alignment with your eye plays a pivotal role in where your shots land. This is where shotgun fit comes into play. A shotgun that doesn't fit you properly can lead to inaccurate shots, wasted time adjusting your mount, and ultimately, a frustrating shooting experience.

Understanding Shotgun Fit Elements  It's important to note that most of our stock adjustments are based off of a flat plane. This plane is an invisible line over stock that we call the rib line, as we're imagining a line that continues rearward from the rib.

1. Length of Pull: The length of pull is a simple measurement from the trigger to the center of the butt stock. It's a critical factor in ensuring your shotgun fits you well. Standard shotguns may have lengths of pull ranging from 14 and 3/8 to 14 and 3/4 inches, but personalized measurements are essential. Having the right length of pull prevents discomfort and ensures proper alignment with your shoulder and face.

2. Drop and Pitch: Drop refers to the distance between the ribline and the comb. Pitch, on the other hand, is the angle of the stock in relation to the rib. The drop and pitch play a significant role in aligning your eye with the rib and mounting comfort and accuracy. Different points along the comb, such as the peak, face, Monte Carlo, and heel, are measured to achieve an angle that fits your shoulder, and face properly.

3. Cast: Cast refers to the stock's bend leftward and rightward off of the gun. This also affects whether or not your eye lines up with the rib. For right-handed shooters, cast-off is when the stock is bent away from your face, while cast-on is bent toward your face. This element is crucial for aligning your eye with the rib, ensuring accuracy in your shots.

4. Grip: The grip of the shotgun includes measurements like length from the trigger to the end of the grip, height from the ribline to the bottom of the grip, and the grip radius around the front of it. These measurements cater to your hand size and ensure a comfortable and controlled hold on the shotgun.

5. Other Factors: Your physique plays a significant role in shotgun fit. Factors like height, facial structure, cheekbone height, eye width, shoulder structure, and chest size all contribute to determining the ideal shotgun fit. Understanding these factors helps you customize your shotgun fit to match your unique characteristics.

The Personalized Approach

Getting a shotgun that truly fits you involves more than just off-the-shelf measurements. To ensure the best fit, it's highly recommended that you consult with professional shotgun fitter. These experts consider your physical characteristics, shooting preferences, and other factors to provide personalized recommendations. Professional shotgun fitting helps you optimize your shooting experience, improving accuracy, comfort, and overall enjoyment.

Conclusion

Shotgun fit isn't just about what feels right; it's the key to unlocking your full shooting potential. A shotgun that fits you well enhances your accuracy, allows for quicker mounts, and improves your overall performance. Remember, every shooter is unique, and shotgun fit is a blend of various elements tailored to your individual characteristics. So, whether you're a seasoned shooter or just starting out, investing time in understanding and optimizing shotgun fit will undoubtedly elevate your shooting game and make your experience on the range or in the field more enjoyable and satisfying.

 Whether our targets in the field or our targets in life, we will only hit what we are focused on, so live the #targetfocusedlife 

Stay Target Focused,

Steve