For the taller shooters

[LastStrut]

Hey folks,


Looking to get some input and thoughts on this post from the taller shooters.


I just want to start out by saying I’m 6’ 5” with an 80” wingspan. I’ve shot guns my whole adult life that have probably never fit me properly. My length of pull is 14.5” - 14.75” measuring off the corner of my elbow. I recently put a Bell and Carlson stock with a 14.5” LOP on my tikka 7-08. Before I upgraded the stock I was running two-piece Talley lows for scope mounts. Once I got the new stock in, I used the same Talley mounts and threw on a vortex diamond back 3-9x40 scope. I couldn’t get the scope mounted back far enough to give me the proper eye relief (frustrating). To get around this, I ordered a Mountain Tactical pic rail and vortex pro series medium rings so allow for more scope adjustment. I now have the correct eye relief (picture attached) but my scope is mounted quite a ways back. I guess my questions are for the tall guys that have a longer LOP: Is this a normal situation? Are there any other things I should be doing differently? Being tall is great at times but finding guns, bows, and clothes to fit with ape arms is hard all the time lol!



Appreciate any input and Happy New Year!

 

[ckt3]

I unfortunately don’t have answers, but following to see what others say! 15-15.5” LOP here and always shoot guns that are too short.

 

[Kyguy]

LOP is always a debatable topic, and I really think most people are running it too long. I'm only 5'8, but when measured the conventional way (like you did) mine measures out to 13.75"-14". That's fine in a shirt or very light jacket, but when I've got layers on for hunting season, it's just too long. So my rifles are around 13.25", splitting the difference to cover all weather conditions. It could probably be a little shorter, honestly. My wife's rifles are 12.5" and I shoot them comfortably as well.

When I set eye relief, I fold a towel over several times to mimic a heavy coat and drap it over my shoulder, then shoulder the rifle in different positions with the scope at top X to find the best compromise.

For me, the LOP isn't only about when the rifle is shouldered, it's about GETTING the rifle shouldered in heavy clothes. Too long and it snags and catches in the clothing when trying to shoot quickly from odd positions or snap shots when you jump something.

Compounding the issue on your rifle is that the scope you're using doesn't have a long eye relief, especially at high power.

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm 6'6" with an 81" wingspan. I never really gave LOP much thought until I bought a Seekins, then I felt like I was shooting a kids gun. I put their spacer kit on adding .75" but haven't shot it since putting it on. I do need to remount my scope though. It's already on a pic rail with the rings all the way back, but the front ring is almost to the bell so need to do some adjusting to get the scope further back now.

I don't really give 13.75" a second thought, pretty sure most all my rifles are at that.

 

[slm9s]

I'm 6'5 and I'm keeping my head in the sand on this topic as I don't want to have to change stocks on all my guns in my safes!

 

[nm.otter]

6'0" tall with a 72" wingspan here. 14" LOP with scope set as far back as I could on the factory rail; eyepiece ends up in a similar location to yours:


As long as you don't risk getting scoped in any position you shoot from, you should be fine.

 

[wpeach1912]

Your LOP should be shorter. Measuring from your elbow to fingertip will give you too much length. You want the rifle more centered on your body when shooting (like on your collarbone). That’ll keep your head closer to the scope. You don’t want the stock to be so short you’re cranking your wrist way open to be on the trigger too. Phil Velayo has some good videos on it.

 

[TaperPin]

I’m a stubby little fella, but we have some tall shooters in the family. Length of pull is an issue, but just as importantly tall dudes have longer necks and unique faces, so with many standard rifles and normal scope mounting height they have to put the scope way far forward and the heal (top rear edge) of the recoil pad wants to rest higher in relation to the top of the shoulder.

I definitely don’t have any black and white advice for custom lengths because one guy has facial structure that creates a cheek weld and upright head/eye position that needs high rings and a shorter length of pull (1/2” under), and another that likes to rest his head quite far forward (like shooting a shotgun) and does well with a longer length of pull, and lower rings.

If I were tall, in addition to impressing the ladies, I’d spend time experimenting trying to get a good natural point of aim that matches the shooting style and it might mean adjusting the cheek piece, length of pull, or scope height, shooting it for a few weeks, changing it a bit and repeating. You can use 5 minute epoxy to glue multiple layers of 1/2” foam flip flop material to a wood or fiberglass/carbon fiber stock in place of the recoil pad to quickly experiment with different lengths. Go easy on the glue since it has to be cut free and scraped off the stock.

 

[brancher147]

I have a scope that looks like that. Just depends on the gun/stock and scope combo. If it hits where you’re aiming that’s all that matters. I am tall and skinny with long arms. Never measured LOP or did anything special just shoot what feels right.

Yeah nothing ever fits…just the way it is. Clothes and guns and most things are not made for tall people.

 

[Macintosh]

Im 6’2” with a 75” wingspan, so not nearly as tall as some who have posted in this thread, and I have shotgun stocks well over 15” with zero issues mounting them even in mid-winter clothing. Barring a grossly ill-fitting stock (ie a reasonably average guy and a factory stocked rifle should not have this issue), if its snagging when you mount that is a technique issue, not a length issue.
My hunting rifles are both 14.5” lop, and I could easily use longer if I wanted. I have some experience fitting and making shotgun stocks and Im extremely confident my measurements are very normal for a guy my size. So if you have several inches of wingspan on me and are shooting the same length, I think its safe to say it isnt too long.

Regarding eye relief and having to move a scope back, that has a lot to do with the scope itself, as well your neck length, body shape, and how you position your head on the stock. But your picture looks pretty normal to me.

 

[Caseknife]

I would rather have a shorter length of pull. Makes it a lot easier to shoulder your rifle with your pack on when you are still hunting timber and have to jump shoot a buck or bull.

 

[eyeguy]

I agree with some of the things taperpin said. Tall shooters also have longer necks so I my case 6 ft 5 in i usually feel like i swallow the stock up and my head is forward to near the scope. So for me I some times have trouble getting the scope far enough foreward. The drill of mounting a shotgun or rifle eyes closed and open after mounted is a good tool to see where adjustment s are needed.

 

[BadDogPSD]

What is the eye relief on your scope? A different scope might help get the scope forward, but as others mentioned, it really doesn't matter as long as it works for you. Suggested LOP has evolved a bit as we've learned squaring to the target is often better than being bladed at a 45sh degree angle.
I'm 6'3" with a 75" wingspan and use 13.5 to 13.75" LOP stocks.