This is a great discussion. But while we are kinda on the subject of stock dimensions and fit. I think the drop at heal is much less important than drop at comb. So let's have at this for a while. I seem to shoot guns with more drop at heal just fine as long as the drop at comb is around 1 1/2".

FWIW, And only because Larry shows a Parker! :rotf:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLHTQtMQw84

http://www.stockfitting.com/excerpts.html

The effect on point of impact is directly related to the angle of the butt against the shooter's shoulder. With a gun that has less pitch you will find that the toe of the butt meets resistance against the shoulder first causing the barrels to rotate upward while a gun with more pitch finds the heel of the butt meeting first resistance against the shoulder causing less upward rotation or none at all.

Larry has it right but only half right. His theory works only if all three guns have the same pitch.

Let me chime in with some CRITICAL factors using the wall method. Ensure wall is PLUMB and exactly 90 degrees (square) with the floor. Don't assume that is the case, unless of course you built the wall. :) And don't forget to compensate for the thickness of a baseboard, if present.

I have shot a lot of birds over life with many different shotguns without knowing any of the measurements. Do I dare admit I also have never patterned one and I've used any available ammo. (not with the old sxs, I've learned that much here - thanks) I think it boils down to how you hold your tongue :rolleyes: But, I am now armed with another excuse when needed. :whistle:

Cheers,
Jack

I agree with Dave as I would rather have more drop at heel for shooting birds and clays and it really does'nt bother me as I can adapt. Dean was also right in that the main purpose of pitch is to keep the gun in the pocket of your shoulder and prevent the gun from flipping up upon firing. If the pitch was zero the toe of the stock would dig into your chest with each shot. For me the perfect stock has either no drop [a straight comb] or a monte carlo type with more drop at comb than heel. This tends to pull the stock away from your face upon firing and allows me to really stay with the gun. But that is what I like and if you ask 10 shooters you will probably get at least 9 different opinions.

I was talking with a guy tonight who is restocking a GH for me and he recommends 3 degrees of negative pitch when using a pad. He says the negative pitch gets the shooter down on the stock better. I've never given pitch much thought, but I have a DHE on which the Silvers pad was ground down more at the toe and I do very well with it.

At least for me..A gun that does not have at least a few degrees of pitch is very uncomfortable to shoot. It's no fun using a gun that tries to dig itself into your shoulder with every shot..

Okay, so now I'm getting in to measuring the various parameters, just to be able to say I have done so. One day, I'll even pattern a few. Now a question on DAC DAH and measuring something like an 870 where the action is a bit higher than the barrel. Do I just use the back of the action or do I try to use a straight edge from the bead to the wherever it will rest on the action? Thanks,
Jack

Jack,
The best thing about those plastic stocks is that you can easily adjust them with a propane torch and they very rarely ever crack.;)

To answer your question, if I were to measure dac or dah on a gun with the barrel below the receiver I would lay the gun on it's side and put two spacer blocks of known thickness on either end of the barrel. Then lay your straight edge along the blocks and take your measurements. Then simply subtract the thickness of the spacers and you have your actual measurements. Hope that makes some sense.

So the pitch has been my problem all along! I was beginning to think I was a bad shot, but after reading this it's definately the pitch, nothing to do with me, pitch.

Kidding aside, great info, usefull or not these things are good to know.
Chris.