Gun Fitting

[Phil C]

A number of years ago I went to Michael Murphys in Kansas and had a fitting done. My experience for what ever it’s worth it was money well spent.
I took along a RBL 20 gauge that I did not shoot very well. The fitter spent a little over an hour at the grease plate having me mount the shotgun quickly and fire at a small center hole in the plate. After several shots it was very clear that I was shooting a pattern about 6” low and 6” to the right at 17 or 18 yards.
Using small cardboard shims and tape he made adjustments until we got the pattern where we needed it. The fitter then transferred numbers to a form showing proper LOP, pitch, cast, Drop, etc.
I left the RBL with them and in about 6 weeks received it back.
I am not a clay bird shooter but I had gone to the range and shot skeet prior to the fitting with disappointing results averaging 15 to 16 out of 25. Upon getting my RBL back I once again went and shot some skeet and shot 21 to 22 out of 25. A huge improvement.
I have since had a number of shotguns sent out to be adjusted. LOP and pitch changed by cutting or adding pads. Stocks bent for drop and cast. I’m all cases I have been very happy with the results and they all just feel right when I mount them.
I still rarely shoot clay targets but I generally shoot very well on wild birds. Quail, dove, and pigeons with the guns that have been fitted, and less so with the shotguns I have kept original and unaltered.
I want to be able to track the bird with my eyes and instinctively pull the gun up from my carrying position, fire having it shoot where I am looking.
In a nut shell I think having my shotguns fitted has made me a better shot.