Need some input on a John Sheetz rifle.

[jamesthomas]

 I have the parts up to get a John Sheetz rifle made. Unfortunately  I'm a Left hander so My options for pre-carves are limited. The only stock I can find with the right (or close to) drop at heel and butt width is a Melchoir Fordey per-carve from Knob Mountain Muzzleloaders. I'm going off the measurements from The John Sheetz rifle in the Muzzeloader  Builders Supply catalog on page 38. If anyone has a  idea which stock would be better I would like to know, thank you. I am not going to get the lock or triggers inletted. I'll be using a L&R Durs-Egg lock if its O.K.

[Virginiarifleman]

James,check with some of the stock suppliers. I would think you could get a special cut.

[galamb]

James, I have scaled measurements for a John Sheetz and it has a 3 1/2" drop at the heel @ 13 1/2" length of pull.

The comb line is also fairly (straight) being 11 degrees in comparison to the bore of the barrel.

I would suggest that Knob Mountain's (Fred Millers) left hand Armstrong - with it's 4" drop at the heel @ 14 1/2" LOP - when cut back in the butt for LOP would be far closer to the profile you are after - particularly along the comb line (Armstrong/Maryland stocks are fairly close to Sheetz/Lauck Shenandoah style Virginia's).

The LH Fordney shows a 3 1/4" drop @ 15" - that would "flatten out" even more by reducing the LOP, to a drop under 3" - sound a little too "little" for a Sheetz.

On the other item, the Durs Egg should look right at home on a Sheetz rifle. I don't recall seeing a Sheetz rifle with "other than" an English lock, although I'm sure a few must exist. 

[jamesthomas]

 Thank you Galamb, the Armstrong stock was also in my thoughts. I think I'll go for the Armstrong since once its cut back it will be more in line for a Sheetz rifle than the Fordney.

[David R. Pennington]

Use a blank?

[mountainman70]

Dave R,whuzza blank?is that fer them cat'ridge guns you got?Back home bro.I like the idea of the Armstrong stock.Be nice to see how it turns out.I kinda got the hankerin to try my hand at a Sheetz rifle too.Good luck on it.Dave F