Extended barrel tang

[billd]

I'm building iron mounted southern style gun, not trying to copy anything, just a gun that fits me. I extended the barrel tang to 5". I didn't think when I put cast-off in the stock, but now the tang is not centered in the wrist. It's not much, but noticable and bothers me. Can I just bend the tang to the side to match the wrist or did I screw up?

Thanks,
Bill

[Dave B]

I have seen guns with long tangs that were bent to match the off set of the wrist as well as short tangs that should have been straighted out before being inlet  on original rifles. You would think they would have known better. Tweek it over a schoshe till centered and you will sleep better at night.

[LynnC]

Yes - push it over to the wrist center.  On mine, the main tang where the tang screw is came off straight from the breech and my bend is where the narrow tang extension begins.  ( Assuming a lolliepop style tang. )  The long extension itself is straight.  You really can't tell it's adjusted to center...................Lynn 

[LynnC]

Unless your makin a long spear point style tang which I have'nt.  Someone who makes that style should advise.  I would bend it and file it to be less noticable.  The kind I made is like a regular squared tang with a long narrow extension, a swell for a screw at the nose of the comb, then narrow again and up onto the comb a couple of inches.  Many stop at the screw boss (lolliepop style).  What style are you making?............................Lynn

[Ken G]

Yes, bend it so it follows the centerline of the wrist. 
Ken

[northmn]

Next time when you do a cast off leave the wrist straight and cast off from the comb area starting at the end of the wrist.  Not a big deal, bend the tang.

DP

[David Rase]

It has been my experience that a southern mountain rifle would usually only have a butt plate of 1 1/2" wide or less.  When I build a rifle with a butt plate that is 1 1/2" wide or less I find no reason to add cast off.  I think way too many people add cast off to their rifles for the sake of cast off and then end up with an overly big cheek piece.  My two cents worth.
DMR

[LynnC]

Northm - Where to start the cast-off sparked quite a debate among the builders awhile back.

Dave - I probably could have done without the cast-off and it did make inletting the long tang interesting.  Cast-off seemed like a good idea at the time
Lynn

[billd]

Thanks for the replies, I just bent it a little.  David, you make a good point about narrow stocks not needing cast-off, and Lynn, you spoke my thoughts. "seemed like a good idea at the time"

Thanks again,
Bill