What LOP would you cut a youth stock down to for maximum usage?

[bojangles808]

I got a plastic stock for my plinker MKii that's currently in a wood stock so I can cut it down for my 4yo. Planning on cutting it down with a hacksaw. He is about to turn 5 but he's big for his age, 90th percentile for height and weight. what's a good LOP you would target for a setup like this, just lots of running the bolt and the safety to be a safe marksman? I'm thinking he will move onto to centerfire when he's 7 (already have 223 rokslide special for that) so thinking an LOP for when he's 5-6yo would be best with this setup. or any other tips for 22lr for youth thx

 

[Kenny Hart]

TBO, I think LOP is a bit overblown on a hunting rifle with optics. I was going to do the same for my .22, but it just wasn't an issue with an adult length stock.

This is my 5yo daughter today, standard Ruger 10/22 Carbine, crushing it at 100 yards.



Her 7yo older sister uses my Tikka 223 with a factory Rokstok, and shot her first buck with it in December.

They have no issues reaching the trigger in a precision-oriented setup, and they aren't taking snap shots. If they're taught to get straight behind the rifle, a long LOP isn't going to increase recoil.

They may not get 100% FOV through the scope of it's not set up for them, but it forces them to center their eye behind the optic the same anyway.

 

[strousek]

I have two different rifles for my kids that I have cut down Boyd's stocks for them. If you are shooting in a completely controlled environment always prone like the above post you might be okay. In my experience however with active hunting situations you will need a shorter stock for your young one to comfortably be able to swing and adjust as needed.

I made my kids rifles at 11.5" LOP with the ability to add a 1/2" spacer as they grow. I am not a tall guy by any means but at 5'2" I can still shoot these rifles comfortably myself. My son started shooting at 6 and my daughter has her first big game season coming up this year at 8 years old. They will be able to shoot these two rifles well into their early teens.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I can measure the cricket i cut down for 4 and 5 year olds, but it's short, probably like 10". An adult cannot shoot it from the shoulder, the scope would be inside your skull.

By the time they hit 4' tall the Tikka compact length is workable.