Length of pull and recoil management

[smylee grouch]

Hanshi,s topic about length of pull brings a question to mind for me. Will a shorter or longer length of pull help reduce the effects of recoil to any degree? This assuming that the length is reasonably close to a persons normal optimum length. When I look at the real big bore safari cartridge rifles I see a lot of longer, to me, lengths.

[ron w]

it boils down to length of pull in relation to stock drop. a given drop with a longer length of pull results in less offset between barrel and shoulder. essentially a straighter stock reduces perceived recoil because the muzzle doesn't jump as violently as a shorter pull with the same drop. as more research went into recoil guns started showing up with less drop than we see in most traditionally designed muzzle loaders. IE,....the originals that we all try to copy were designed/built before recoil reduction by stock design got much consideration.  they were designed to be shot standing upright with your head held erect. this arrangement required a lot of angle between the line of sight and the heel of the butt, (stock drop) which produced a fair amount of muzzle jump.

[Nessmuck]

How is lenght of pull measured ?

[smylee grouch]

In my mind I would say that length of pull is distance from center of butt plate to the firing trigger.

[Daryl]

exactly

[Daryl]

Stock shape, drop at the heel and style can skew the numbers some, but I prefer a stock around 13 1/2" of pull. A bit more, bit less, NP.  I'm 6'1" weigh 240lbs. and have a 34" sleeve.  I can shoot about any stock length, by adjusting the way I hold my shoulder. The longer than 14" stocks are harder to hold well because you have to stretch to reach them. Longer than optimum reduces accuracy for me, unless shooting benched. I've never noticed a relationship between length of stock and felt recoil.
It is easier to shoot a stock that is slightly short, than one that is too long for you.
Desired stock length, when discussed on a forum, usually ends up in a peeing contest, with stock lengths of pull growing in relationship to a man's ego or desire to impress. We've also had this discussion on our trail walks, as well as the shooting/wiping/hard-to-load tight combinations subject.
I've found, over the years, that someone who has done a lot of shooting, can adapt to a stock that is a bit too short of optimum, but one that is longer than optimum is difficult to shoot well.
Quite an interesting subject.

[alacran]

Well said Daryl. I like my trigger pull between 13 1/4 and 13 1/2. I can shoot a longer stock, but then I'm reaching.

[Turtle]

 Personally, as a person who is recoil sensitive and has shoulder problems, I find shooting a rifle from the upper arm with a curved buttplate more comfortable. it also anchors the butt in place vertically better. It also is easier on the cheek.This is on moderately recoiling rifles, not big boomers-never shot one. A shorter LOP works on this style for me also.
                                                                    Turtle

[OldMtnMan]

Shorter doesn't work for me. It puts my nose too close to my thumb. 14 1/2" is good for me. I have long arms.

[ron w]

there's always deviations from the standard. length of pull is called what it is because it is a measurement that will deviate from what is considered the standard. longer arms = longer LOP and vice-verse. roughly 13-1/2 inches is just the standard derived from measurements of many people as these guns were built by the original builders. we must also remember that people were somewhat shorter on average, back then...... it may be valid that a slightly longer LOP may be the norm now-a-days, or at least that a longer LOP might show up more often now, than it did back then.  the main issue is that the LOP of your gun fits your body, so it can be shot accurately and comfortably

[Daryl]

As noted, there is no standard for any given person- it depends on the style of stock. A Rupp stock with excessive hockey-stick shape will feel better with a different length of pull than an English or German Gun of the percussion period.
It is all relative, though.

[hanshi]

Back when I use to hang around boxers, it was apparent that arm length alone or being tall or short is not the only factor in a shooters lop.  Much depends on body shape, build and other considerations.  I knew a guy who was much taller than I was but he likely had a reach no longer than I did.  Fireplug torsos usually need shorter lop rifles while we little dudes do better with short lops as well.

[Daryl]

Length of neck & holding style also mean a lot. Some guys can't hold their heads straight and like to crawl the comb. They need longer stocks than others of their size and build.