I have used SXS shotguns since I began hunting at age 14 (49 years ago) but have never fired a DR (meaning a SXS rifle, to me). I hope to be able to order one soon. I have two questions. First, since a dangerous game rifle may be called upon to save your life in a close-quarters encounter, it needs to fit the individual shooting it and it should have good balance to allow it to be employed quickly and to be pointed accurately just as though it was an extension of your body. These are also the attributes of a well-fitting, fine "game gun" (meaning a high quality SXS shotgun). So what are the merits or contraindications for having your DR stocked to the same measurements as your SXS shotguns' (assuming those measurements were obtained by a qualified stock fitter and have proven to allow you to more often hit what you point at)? Secondly, when Cris at Heym or Butch Searcy say that their stocks can be made to the buyer's specifications, do they mean all specifications (eg., LOP at heel, LOP at midpoint, LOP at toe, DAC, DAH, cast, & cant) or are they just referring to LOP at midpoint? As you can tell, I am leaning toward a Searcy or Heym (in 450/400 3", of course, with QD scope). Thank you in advance for your time and input.

wpe2

It's a great idea.

It may sound sacreligious, but I ordered my first Chapuis stock dimensions to match my Remington 1100.

I ordered my Heym 88B Safari from Chris at his storefront in Dallas TX last May. Was told to expect a year-end delivery.

Chris took about a dozen measurments of me and a known gun for the stock fitting. Seemed he did this fairly often for customers.

Its not hard to justify a good fit on your ($$) double rifle.

wpe2,
Welcome to the forum.
When ordering a bespoke gun the sock and all other features are built to the owners dimensions and what/how he wants the rifle set up. That is the benefit of buying new versus used or off the rack.
Bill

LRH270, 415sbaird & Bill Cooley--
Thanks for your responses. One of my concerns is whether any of the stock measurements need to be modified when going from a straight, English stock (as I have on my shotguns) to a semi-pistol grip (as will be on the DR). Thanks again for your help.

Bill E.

WPE,

Take a look at Butch (Searcys) web site and look at the order form. Butch will make the gun to fit YOU! And not just the LOP.

My gun comes up like a custom shotgun and shoots where I look. A DR and shotgun should fit similar but a little different, so the measurements from a stock fitter for a shotgun would be close but not perfect.

Call and talk to Butch, maybe even consider going to see him for the fitting. But by all means talk to the man. I don't think you'll be sorry if you do.

Roi

quote:

Originally posted by wpe2:
their stocks can be made to the buyer's specifications, do they mean all specifications (eg., LOP at heel, LOP at midpoint, LOP at toe, DAC, DAH, cast, & cant) or are they just referring to LOP at midpoint?
wpe2

Yes, All specifications are included in a made-to-measure stock on a HEYM.

I had Chris take my measurements for Heym and it fits like a glove! He is very meticulous and will work to get it just right. Although, I am still trying to figure out why he needed to take my inseam measurements - twice.