Fit for your purpose

It doesn’t matter how good your rifle is, nor how good a shot you are, if it doesn’t fit you well you won’t shoot accurately, warns Bruce Potts

- Bruce Potts

I remember having to wrestle with my first. 22 rimfire, a BSA Martini action 12/15, out rabbiting. It was accurate but it weighed a ton, was far too long and the stock was short with a low comb. In those days we made do, but today attitudes have changed and rifle shooters expect a better-proportioned firearm with some degree of adjustability built in to ensure good handling and balance.

How a rifle balances, fits, operates, and holds in the aim is paramount for delivering that lethal first shot. It is the stock dimensions that make the greatest difference but do not forget about the barrel weight/profile and length. Ask if a moderator is going to be fitted, what weight scope, and, often forgotten, how does the rifle handle when it has a full magazine of cartridges, as balance will change.

You can go the custom route, where a rifle is fitted like a Savile Row suit, but for most, choosing the correct rifle means a trip to the gunsmith to handle one or visiting one of the game fairs. Most manufacturers have realized we rifle shooters are increasingly savvy and want more variety and adjustability. Some now offer adjustable stock designs as well as shorter barrels as standard.

Let’s look at what affects a rifle’s handling. The most important part of any rifle is the stock. It not only needs to fit you correctly, but it also has to bed the action for consistent accuracy too. It’s one of those often-forgotten secrets that influence a successful stalk; the stock must fit you to achieve ultimate fieldcraft.