Anyone have advice on where or who to go to for a rifle fitting so that I know my measurements. I'm probably going to buy a high end or custom rifle sometime in the next year or so but want one that fits me relatively well. I'm quite happy to pay someone for just the fitting as I'm not likely to buy right away. Will any of the fitters be at either SCI or DSC?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Jason

Jason, I'm assuming you're talking about a double rifle, where fit is much more critical. I would consider a shop that caters to clay shotgunners. They are nuts about gun fit, and most should have someone on premises who knows how to determine your proper dimensions.

Biebs, Why do you assume that this man wants to be fitted for a double rifle and more importantly why do you say that fitting a bolt gun is any less critical than fitting a double rifle? It isn't. ...I've PMed this man the name of a fitter that can help him. FYI, The length of pull on a double rifle is shorter than that of a double barreled shotgun when fit to the same shooter. ...David L wesbrook ...Stockmaker for 38 years and author PROFESSIONAL STOCKMAKING

Getting measured now will give you fitting measurements for "now". As we age, and our bodies change, we gain or loose weight those measurements that you got "now" may not be pertainent then. The above in no way is intended to discourage you from getting 'measured'.

Thanks for the responses. Slivers comments certainly ring home as at 50, unfortuntately, nothing is getting better (Although it could be worse)!

a few years ago at DSC, the folks from Verney Carnon (sp?) were doing free measurements at their booth. Bob

I remember one of the booths at Las Vegas either W-R or H&H had a try stock they were using and that should be quick and accurate.I know SABI in South Africa uses a complex list of measurements of everything from arm length to distance around your hand at the palm. I know I gave a PH friend a heavy hitter from them and we filled in the list and the stock fits him perfectly. To me they have the list complete and also know how to transfer the measurements to the wood. You might query them and have them send you the list. It would be a start. Then at either DSC or SCI I'm sure you will find numerous people that would do it.

quote:

Originally posted by slivers:
Getting measured now will give you fitting measurements for "now". As we age, and our bodies change, we gain or loose weight those measurements that you got "now" may not be pertainent then. The above in no way is intended to discourage you from getting 'measured'.

Well, I'm 71. How much longer will it be before I lose some weight?
Just jerking your chain.

Thanks again to all who provided information.

James C. Tucker in Medford, Oregon (541) 664-9160
Dale Tate in Ione, Ca. near Sacramento (209)763-9040.
I was fitted by James recently. He has a try gun which can be manipulated to your measurements. He's a gentleman of the first order.

Getting fitted for a bolt gun is just as important when it comes to accuracy as a good barrel job is. It doesn't matter if it's a double or bolt, or whether your bolt is a stalker or NA hunter. The last thing you need is to dry hump your stock in order to get a good sightline.....and then you wonder why your group size went up.

Another thing you may want to consider is the clothing you'll wear. For the longest time my go to deer rifle LOP was 14.25" as I hunted in tee shirts (and felt more comfortable with an unconventionally "long" as I grew up shooting my dad's guns). But my contemporaneous synthetic travel rifles were all 13.5" to account for more clothing. Said rifle is now 13.5" and no longer has a slippery leather covered recoil pad.

And yes, some of us whose bodies get sexier with age and who've hit that magical 40 where your eyesight goes to shit may need to alter their LOPs. Things change...good thing is at least your wife can't make your rifle shrink like she does your clothes. Good luck.

Thanks again to all who provided advice. I have an appointment with Dale Tate in January to get fitted for both bolt and double rifle.

FMC: I think your remark about the clothing is spot on. When I look at what I wear in Africa vs Alaska there certainly is a big difference.

I figure that getting fitted for a gun is much like getting fitted for golf clubs. At first I couldn't understand why one would go to the trouble or expense but having been fit for golf clubs and seen the results it makes sense to me.