I am building some big bore rifles and need to confirm my length of pull. I have a few rifles right now at 14†and it seems a bit short. I know how to measure my “ideal†LOP across the length of my forearm from the trigger to my bicep, but it seems a bit indeterminate. I am thinking of making my next stock at 14.5†since its easier to take a bit off than to add after the fact. Is there any disadvantage to having a stock on a big boomer that is just a little too long?

14.5 isn't huge or unreasonable... and if you ever plan to scope a big kicker, longer IS better.

jeffe

Fergus, don't get it so long that it catches on your clothing.
Butch

Some stockmakers have a special adjustable stock which they use to try out combinations for the their clients. It's common practice when having a shotgun stock adjusted to the individual shooter. Perhaps you could go to a stock maker or shotgun maker and try out a few lengths before making your decision? If you're going for a big bore the iron sights need to line up, just like a shotgun, automatically and naturally.

The old standard for LOP, measuring from the bicep to the trigger finger pad, has gone out of style with most stockmakers. Rifles done this way, and especially shotguns, ended up too short by 1/4 inch or more. My rifles have at least 13-3/4 inch length of pulls now and work well. However, I used to use 13-1/2 to 5/8 inch for the length of pull and it did seem short.

Make it a bit too long to start with. I recently had a new stock fitted for my 375 H&H and when trying it out at the gunsmith he "shaved" off about 1/10 of an inch at a time until I found the length that suited me.

Fergus, here are some more recent thoughts on this subject, including mine:

LOP for Big Bores

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input. Plenty to think about in all your comments.

If you want to get finicky about the whole thing you should really get fitted while wearing the clothes you wear when using the firearm. When I hunt in the fall in France for feathered game I am usually wearing a Barbour style oil-skinned coat over a thick sweater. It adds quite a bit. What feels right with a T-shirt isn't the same.