Ohio style - how thin?

[high_on_a_mtn_17]

So I was considering building an Ohio caplock squirrel rifle, in .32, something along the lines of a Vincent, and I know the Vincent’s are very thin in the stock. Problem is, I’ve never actually handled one, So I have no idea of how they handle, balance etc. My question I guess, since this will be a hunting gun, is how thin can one go with a stock before it really throws off the handling of the rifle? I want to build one that’s as lightweight as I can make it, but if it will be too whippy and wobbly or shoulders like a fence post, it might not be to liking...

Any thoughts?

[stubshaft]

I've built a couple of them and like them a lot.  I've found that the balance was determined more by the weight of the barrel (lengthXwidthXcaliber) than the stock.  The stock width at the lock is obviousely determined by the thickness of the lock as well as the depth.  The critical element to me was the grain structure running through the wrist/lockplate area and I usually shape it to an elongated oval.  This is where I have seen Vincent stocks fail.

[Scota4570]

The butplates are not designed to be fired from the shoulder in a modern fashion.  The curve radius is too small.  When I made mine I  ended up throwing the Vincent plate away a using a different one. 

[Mike Brooks]

The butplates are not designed to be fired from the shoulder in a modern fashion.  The curve radius is too small.  When I made mine I  ended up throwing the Vincent plate away a using a different one.

That's true, but not necessarily a bad thing once you learn how to shoot that style, at least for me. It's shot out on your arm just past your shoulder, like a Pope style schuetzen rifle.

[Scota4570]

The butplates are not designed to be fired from the shoulder in a modern fashion.  The curve radius is too small.  When I made mine I  ended up throwing the Vincent plate away a using a different one.

That's true, but not necessarily a bad thing once you learn how to shoot that style, at least for me. It's shot out on your arm just past your shoulder, like a Pope style schuetzen rifle.

To each his own.  For me, my bicep is to large to fit the curve.  Just something to be aware of if you large arms. 

[Mike Brooks]

The butplates are not designed to be fired from the shoulder in a modern fashion.  The curve radius is too small.  When I made mine I  ended up throwing the Vincent plate away a using a different one.

That's true, but not necessarily a bad thing once you learn how to shoot that style, at least for me. It's shot out on your arm just past your shoulder, like a Pope style schuetzen rifle.

To each his own.  For me, my bicep is to large to fit the curve.  Just something to be aware of if you large arms.

I got stick arms and legs, only thing big on me is my belly!

[Old Ford2]

Mike!
It's way to hard finding your sights with the butt on your belly!.
I have had a hard time picturing that method of shooting.
But I'm willing to learn, I have failed miserably with all the other positions.
Best regards!
Fred

[Craig Wilcox]

That's what I was thinking, Fred.  Now we get to look at pictures showing us how he does that!

[Mike Brooks]

You guys have never heard of a "belly gun"?

[Chowmi]

I built a Vincent rifle from a Track of the Wolf kit.  The buttplate is 1 1/16th inch wide at its widest point.  Whether that is correct for a real Vincent, I have no idea. 

As a side note, I really don't like to shoot it.  Just can't get the hang of the shooting from my arm thing.  I tried shooting it with the butt moved out a ways from my shoulder.  I guess I didn't do it right because I got a big bruise after only about 20 shots from the point of the top of the buttplate (and I shortened that extension significantly). 

Even if I did it "right", I still don't think my arm would fit well in there, and I'm no body builder. 

If I wanted a skinny light rifle, I think I'd go with an SMR. 

Just my two cents, personal opinion only.

Cheers,
Norm

[smylee grouch]

I'm confused when people say they shoot off their arm or shoulder. I don,t seem to have any problem shooting that style butt when it's placed between shoulder and bicep not on shoulder or bicep with my right (right hand shooter) elbow out away from my side. May be I'm doing it wrong but it does not hurt to shoot it.

[Scota4570]

This butplate:

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/682/1/BP-VINC-1-B

It will not  fit over my shoulder and into the crease of my armpit.  The radius is to small. For reference, I have a big upper body Scottish build but, I am not huge though.  I wear a size 48 suit jacket.  My biceps are currently about 17". 

A smaller person with smaller arms may do just fine with it. 

As far as the idea off shooting of the lower arm, I don't buy it.  Many poor ideas did not stand the test of time.  This is one of them.

[Pete G.]

There are plenty of buttplates for Ohio style other than a Vincent. Get a TOW paper catalog that uses full sized photographs.