It seems like a stock looks "better", whatever that means, when the pistol grip angle is not as steep as "traditional" stocks. (Meaning that in terms of say the unit circle the angle is much closer to 2 Pi than it is to 3 Pi over two)

But in handling a few stocks recently I noticed right away that it definitely takes some getting used to when using a stock with a pistol grip that has less angle. One has to them make the hand more level to the rifle and raise the elbow a lot more, it seems.

What do you prefer?

I prefer a more open grip. I shoot a lot of straight grip shotguns and muzzleloaders too. I can shoot either but the more open grips are just more comfortable for me. I started shooting straight grip muzzleloaders when I was 11 and was taught to use a high elbow. After almost 40 years of this I find it normal.

It might sound idiotic, but grab a 6 inch piece of 1-1/2 inch black PVC pipe or wooden dowel in your pistol grip hand. Throw both arms up with your eyes closed like you were pointing at a target and have someone snap a picture with a camera. Then measure the angle of the dowel in the photo. That's generally your grip angle. Everyone is different.

For me, shooting offhand I prefer an angled grip- but 90% of my shooting is off a bench, where I find the vertical grip seems to allow me to pull straight back when shouldering the rifle (no free recoil). Correct, I have no idea- but I can hit what I'm aiming at

In the early days of handgun target shooting , from the photos ,the hands seem to commonly rotated downward .That may be why some guns seem to be odd.
My needs included fast draw and positioning of the gun. Fortunately gun maker now seem to realize that all people have different needs It only took them about 100 years .Then it was two mainspring housings now some guns have interchangeable parts to tailor your own !

78.7 degrees...the perfect angle....at least on my 7.65 Tokarev scratch build.

Grip angle is determined by how the shooter likes to hold his elbow; high or low. Viewed from the other direction, elbow position is influenced by grip angle.
A shooter who likes shoot with his head down and his elbow high will like a straight stock with a more open grip. A shooter who shooters with hjis head erect and his elbow down will be better served with a stock with more drop at the heel and a more vertical grip.
People shooting prone or sitting will usually like a more vertical grip.
My silhouette stocks have a fairly closed, close to vertical, grip and I shoot them with my elbow down halfway. On one factory 22, the grip is a little more open and I shoot it with my elbow higher.I think the real trick is to incorporate angles which work for the shooter and still look good. Regards, Bill.

I like the looks of a 93 Mauser, but like a vertical grip for a benchrest gun...

i like a very open grip .. largely because i have large hands and generally shoot bigbores .. i can't STAND bisley grips on pistols -- as i get bashed every time

on stalking rifles, i like the mauser A or prince of wales grip ...

for target/stand hunting rifles, a bit more closed ...

i find when I am cutting stocks for myself, they always have an open grip

Art over function or function over art? For shooting prone I like a near straight up and down grip, but they sure look bad.

My opinion only..

For Looks: definitely an Open grip. A rifle with a nice open grip is much sleeker and has cleaner lines. A close grip looks chunky and unrefined. In many ways an open grip helps distinguish a best quality rifle like a Westley Richards from a mass produced factory model or poorly done custom.

For Comfort/Function: I still prefer Open grips, but it depends on intended use. I like to think an open grip is much more comfortable for me to carry while out hunting. A more open grip positions my hand further back allowing just the pad of my trigger finger to contact the trigger. This gives me a better trigger feel. Yes my elbow is up higher to compensate for the grip angle, but this comes natural to me in offhand shooting. Ive never hunted Dangerous game but I think the same principal would apply.

For target shooting off a bench a close grip definitely allows you to pull a stock in tight to the shoulder. In this position your elbow is down and your whole body is a bit more scrunched up. Most deer hunting in my area is done from Tree stands, shooting houses, and blinds. In all those situations your basically in a target shooting setup, so a close grips works the same. My problem is a close grip positions my hand so close to the trigger my finger ends up wrapped around the trigger. I can't shoot well that way. I have to consciously think to move my finger around and position the pad of my finger tip on the trigger. May just be my hand shape or something.

Anyway, just my ramblings on the internet for a lazy Saturday at home.

Wyatt

For hunting my most comfortable stock is a factory sako l579, but I'm a heads up shooter.
Tight grip, a bit of a palm swell.