Shotgun Gun Fit
in Cambridgeshire
A well-fitted shotgun should mount naturally and place your eye consistently in the correct position. We assess gun fit alongside your mount and shooting technique to help identify problems that may be affecting your shooting.
Why Shotgun Gun Fit Matters
Shotgun gun fit Cambridgeshire assessment can help identify whether stock dimensions, eye alignment, gun mount or shooting technique are affecting your consistency. A shotgun should naturally come into the correct position when it is mounted, allowing the shooter to maintain a comfortable head position and consistent eye alignment with the rib.
Understanding Gun Fit
What Does Gun Fit Actually Mean?
Gun fit is the relationship between the shooter and the dimensions of the shotgun stock.
When a shotgun is mounted correctly, the shooter's eye effectively becomes the rear sight of the gun. The position of the eye in relation to the rib therefore has a major influence on where the gun shoots.
A properly fitted shotgun should come naturally into the shoulder, allow a comfortable head position and place the eye consistently in the correct position above the rib.
Good gun fit does not replace good shooting technique, but poor fit can make good technique considerably harder to achieve.
What Is Considered During Gun Fit?
Several stock dimensions work together to determine where the shotgun sits in relation to the shooter's shoulder, face and dominant eye.
Length of Pull
Length of pull is broadly the distance from the trigger to the rear of the stock. If it is significantly too long or too short it can affect gun mount, head position and movement.
Comb Height
The height of the comb influences how high or low the shooter's eye sits in relation to the rib. This can directly affect the point of impact.
Cast
Cast moves the stock slightly to the left or right and helps position the shooter's eye correctly behind the rib without forcing the head into an unnatural position.
Heel & Toe Position
The way the butt sits into the shoulder can affect comfort, consistency and how naturally the gun mounts.
Eye Alignment
Correct eye position is fundamental. The aim is for the eye to arrive consistently in the correct relationship with the rib every time the gun is mounted.
Gun Mount
Gun fit cannot be assessed properly without looking at how the shooter actually mounts the gun. A poor or inconsistent mount can sometimes appear to be a gun-fit problem.
Could Your Shotgun Be the Wrong Fit?
Not every missed target is caused by gun fit, but there are several signs which may justify having the gun and your gun mount checked.
- You repeatedly miss targets in the same direction.
- You have to move your head after mounting the gun to see correctly along the rib.
- The gun feels awkward or slow to mount.
- You struggle to keep your cheek comfortably on the stock.
- The stock feels noticeably too long or too short.
- You experience excessive or uncomfortable recoil.
- The gun seems to shoot high, low, left or right despite apparently correct technique.
- You shoot one gun considerably better than another for no obvious reason.
Technique Comes First
A shotgun should not automatically be altered simply because a shooter is missing targets. Gun mount, stance, visual focus and technique should also be considered before permanent alterations are made.
Practical Assessment
Gun Fit Is More Than Taking Measurements
Measuring the stock is only part of the process.
The shooter needs to be observed mounting and handling the shotgun because body shape, stance, shooting style and mount all influence how the gun arrives at the shoulder.
Where appropriate, shooting at a pattern plate can also help establish whether the gun is placing its pattern where the shooter is naturally looking.
The purpose is to separate genuine gun-fit issues from problems caused by inconsistent technique.
Clay Shooting, Game Shooting & Gun Fit
The fundamental principles of gun fit remain the same, but the way a shotgun is mounted and used can differ between shooting disciplines.
Clay Shooting
Clay shooters may fire a large number of cartridges and often repeat similar movements many times during a session. Consistent mount and eye position therefore become particularly important.
Game Shooting
Game shooting may involve quicker and less predictable target presentation, making a natural and instinctive gun mount especially valuable.
A Gun You Use Regularly
The most important consideration is that the shotgun works naturally with the individual shooter and the way they actually use it.
Does the Stock Need Changing?
Sometimes a gun-fit assessment identifies a genuine stock-fit issue. That does not automatically mean extensive alteration is required.
Permanent Alterations Should Be Considered Carefully
Depending on the shotgun and the problem identified, possible solutions can range from relatively minor changes through to professional stock alteration.
Any permanent structural alteration to a shotgun stock should be undertaken by a suitably experienced gunsmith or stocker.
Guns & Clays can help identify whether gun fit appears to be contributing to a shooting problem before unnecessary changes are made.
The Gun and the Shooter Need to Work Together
A correctly fitted shotgun will not compensate for poor technique, and perfect technique can be made unnecessarily difficult by a shotgun that does not suit the shooter.
Shooting Tuition
Individual shooting tuition can help identify problems with stance, gun mount, movement and visual focus while also highlighting possible gun-fit issues.
View Shooting TuitionGuns & Clays Shooting School
Learn the fundamentals of shotgun shooting properly and understand how gun mount, stance, visual focus and gun fit all work together.
Visit the Shooting SchoolIndependent Shooting Advice
Unsure whether a gun-fit problem, equipment choice or another shooting issue needs professional attention? Independent advice is also available.
Shooting AdviceResponsible Shotgun Shooting
Shooters can also find further information about shotgun shooting, coaching and safe gun handling through the UK's established shooting bodies.
Further Guidance
The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association provides information relating to clay target shooting, coaching and shooting disciplines.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation also publishes guidance relating to shotguns, shooting and safe firearm handling.
Does Your Shotgun Fit You?
If your shotgun feels uncomfortable, your gun mount is inconsistent, or you repeatedly experience the same shooting problem, a proper assessment can help determine whether gun fit or technique is contributing.
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