Length of Pull for Precision Rifles

[samb300]

I have done some research and watched Frank's video from a couple years ago on properly setting up the rifle.

My question for you guys is: do you adhere to the "crook of the arm to trigger MINUS 1/4 inch" for your length of pull? Or does something different work better for you to balance out all the prone vs. positional shooting?

And for guys out there that have quick adjust stocks like the AXMC rifles, do you keep the LOP long for prone stages and then shorten the LOP for a sitting/positional stage?

Thanks!

 

[sgtsmmiii]

John Barsness, the gun writer from Rifle / Handloader magazines, once SUGGESTED in an article that the following rule of thumb would generally fit most people; obviously dependent upon personal physiology. Starting with a 13 1/2 " LOP for a person 5'10" tall, you add / subtract 1/8" for every 1" taller/ shorter a person is than 5'10" . For example, a person 5'8" tall would probably do well with a LOP of 13 1/4" ( 5'10" - 5'8" = 2 inches X 1/8" = 1/4" subtracted from 13 1/2" ). Seems to work well for me and most of my shooting acquaintances. Of course, YMMV. Good luck. Hope this helps some.

 

[PBWalsh]

Also depends on build in my experience. I am 5'8" and last year my LOP was 12.75, (weighed 250) now its 13.00" (weigh 230) after loosing weight and gaining some back in muscle. Basically 5'8", shortish arms, and a medium to large chest and shoulder area.

 

[mercracing]

I've never actually measured mine. I just go where its comfortable.

 

[Terry Cross]

When pertaining to rifles that will be used in full spectrum field type use, shorter is better.

From pure prone or bench, LOP is almost a non issue as long as the scope mount location allows for correct eye relief. When the shooter is forced into compromised positions including pure offhand, kneeling, sitting type conditions a shorter LOP almost invariably is an advantage when everything else is setup correctly.

Remember that typical rifles in this genre are in the 12 to 18 pound weight class. Getting the center of gravity closer to your torso and more directly over bone support even by a little bit can have benefits in your ability to hold inside the target.

When we are setting up new shooters on old rifles or old shooters on new rifles, we usually set up LOP first....then comb height for good head position ...then scope position on the long axis for correct eye relief.

This is our experience so far and it seems to have merit.

./

 

[samb300]

Thanks you everyone for the input. Terry, I appreciate your response and input based on a ton of experience.

So do you find that there is a soft rule of thumb for getting an initial LOP when setting up a shooter on a new rifle? (I.e. Crook of the arm to trigger minus 1/4", etc)

The reason I ask is that obviously no two people are built the same, so I might be the same height as you but since I have very long arms then maybe that throws my LOP a bit out of whack. Also, since I shoot an AI I like to use the pistol grip with my thumb wrapped around the grip, versus the thumb on the side or top that you would see with a more traditional stock. I find that when I shorten the LOP too much I feel as if my wrist angle gets cramped and my wrist/hand position isn't as comfortable.

 

[Darkside-Six]

I don't measure mine. I just set the rifle up to me. I do have an adjustable cadex stock on one of my rifles and have occasionally shortened it when doing odd positions but I tend to leave it where I set it up at.


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[Kopfjager1]

Having your wrist bent is one of the reason having a short LOP sucks. You have to find the happy medium where its comfortable in all positions, to where youre not bending your wrist to an uncomfortable point or having your neck stretched out in the alternate positions. I always used the crook of the elbow method, went through all the major alternate positions, supported and unsupported, and adjusted to what was comfortable, which was subtracting 1/8"-1/4". You have to be careful not to shorten too much otherwise you start torquing your shooting hand, and trigger control goes out the window.

 

[JBM_DC]

Personally I run my PRS rifle with a very short length of pull. I found this helped me on positional stages. The biggest thing I noticed is with a longer LOP I had the tendency of pulling my rifle off target when squeezing the trigger. With the short LOP I have a much easier time squaring up to my targets on barricades.

My 338 prone rifle has a longer LOP that is more comfortable in the prone position.