Fit is It
The Tale of the Tape
A bolt-action rifle doesn’t fit you unless you can cycle the action
without lowering the rifle. Rifle is a Ruger Hawkeye with a Leupold scope.
An advantage of being close to average in height is most average rifles
fit adequately, such as this Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight .257
Wby. with Leupold scope.
The AGW (aspiring gun writer) pulled into the parking lot of the Louis & Clark shooting range. He could see the Senior Member sitting at ease in his usual spot, reading a book with his dog curled up at his feet.
“Greetings, Old One! I brought you a fresh coffee. Black, just the way you like it. And a biscuit for the pup.”
The Senior Member looked up from his book. “I remember you. You asked a bunch of inane questions about the origins of the Ruger firearms company, for a magazine article you said. Did you ever get it published?”
“I did, thanks to you. The editor said my writing was execrable but factually correct and he was desperate. I guess the facts you gave me were accurate. Not sure what “execrable” means but I choose to believe it is high praise and he wants me to write more. Do you have any suggestions?”
Too Late
This well-meaning but tiresome youth was progressing from being a minor nuisance to an actual pest. The old man sighed and closed his book, using the dog biscuit wrapper as a bookmark. “Let’s start at the beginning. Is that your new Lexus in the parking lot? Big mistake. Gun writers drive pickups or Jeeps, at least 10 years old, preferably older, with lots of dents and scratches, and ideally rolled at least once.”
“Is that like a rugged outdoor authenticity style thing?”
“No, it is all they can afford. You may not have noticed but hardly anyone reads anymore. If you want to make a living as an outdoor writer you’re about a generation too late.”
The young AGW was disheartened but still game. “I have so many ideas for magazine articles! The .270 vs .30-’06! 9mm vs .45 ACP! Revolver vs. auto pistol! Do you need a magnum! Guns for home …”
“Stop. Stop.” The Senior Member raised a weary hand. “Those are all great ideas. No one has thought of them before. Tell me, have you considered a list of the 10 best?”
“Ten best what?”
“It doesn’t matter. Everybody loves 10 best lists. They either mostly agree in which case the writer is a genius, or mostly disagree in which case the writer is an idiot.”
“Let’s do a 10 best list right now! I’d welcome your assistance, Wise One. How about this, the 10 best deer cartridges!”
It was likely unintentional but the AGW had managed to get the Senior Member agitated. “That has to be the stupidest idea I ever heard. I could list a hundred cartridges suitable for deer hunting. And anyway the cartridge itself hardly matters. What does matter is the bullet, and the placement of the shot. What matters is shooting ability. Rifle fit is more important than the cartridge designation stamped on the barrel.”
“Rifle fit? What does that even mean?” the youngster asked. “Most any rifle fits me fine!”
If you don’t know what length of pull suits you best, a stock with
adjustable length of pull is a good way to find out. Rifle is a Howa
mini in .223 Rem. with Zeiss scope.
Size Matters
“No, they fit ME fine.” The Senior Member’s voice had gone up a notch or two, causing the pup to open his eyes. “I’m just a bit above average height, 6′ with my boots on. I can get by with most any current factory rifle. But you’re what, 6′ 4″ and 150 lbs.? All you kids are tall and skinny these days. I know what fits me: 13 ¼” length of pull, 7 ½” to 8 lbs. field ready, balance point 5″ ahead of the trigger, and for scope use a straight buttstock with ½” to 1″ drop at comb and about 1″ drop at heel, crisp 2- to 2 ½-lb. trigger. Probably a .308 Win.”
“Sounds good, should work for me.”
“No it won’t work for you, at least not very well. Look at those long gangly arms. You should have a 13 ½” to 14″ length of pull. You likely want a lighter rifle because they are available and you’re weak despite your size. You can’t manage a trigger pull under 3 ½ to 4 lbs. because you don’t practice enough, and .308 recoil will cause you to flinch. A .243 Win. or 6.5 CM would suit you better.”
“How can I tell if the fit is right?”
“The way you tell anything, by showing up and paying attention. Set an 8″ diameter paper plate at 100 yards. Buy or borrow an electronic shot timer. Stand facing the target with the rifle held in both hands at chest level, the way you might when there’s a chance a deer might pop out of the woods. When the electronic buzzer sounds, raise the rifle to shooting position while releasing the safety and break the shot. If you can hit the plate most of the time in four seconds or less the rifle fits you well enough. And you’re a pretty good shot.”
“Can you hit the plate in under four seconds, Old One?”
“I can do it in under two seconds.”
“You’re a lying old SOB but I admire your nerve. Wait, did I say that out loud?”
“You did. You’re dumb as a stump but I admire your candor. I think we’re going to be friends.”
