I am building a .308 for my daughter with a Richards Microfit modern classic style stock, a Mauser '98 action, and a 20" Douglas featherweight barrel.
For a 12-1/2 LOP stock how does one calculate the correct forend length to get a trim and balanced looking rifle?

In my opinion for what it's worth, the forend length should be 1/2 inch to 1 inch shorter than 1/2 the length of the barrel measured from the front of the reciever ring. This gives a nice in proportion look to the rifle.

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NRA Life member

[This message has been edited by Bear Claw (edited 11-20-2001).]

Your situation is to reduce weight so I would lean towards a English style of stock with a 9" forarm and barrel band swivel..

I would have iron sights for auxillery sight and teach her to shoot irons and a scope..

hollow the butt stock some and balance the rifle....Most dads, unfortunately, build a rifle the way they want it not how the child needs it....Keep the stock LEAN AND MEAN.....I've built a half a dozen for my kids and grandkids, they don't like heavy guns and their muscles are not conditioned for shooting...

I "set the gun up" for irons and let them learn to shoot it with a scope and Irons and that will be to their advantage down the line if they become an avid hunter.....for what its worth.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Ray:

By English style, do you mean a straight grip or an open grip? Also, I agree with the trim, I am looking at reducing the magazine height by one round, do you have any experience with this?