doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Shotgun measurements translated to rifles?

More specifically, to traditional muzzleloading blackpowder rifles? I'm about ready to commission my first longrifle (as a southpaw, it's about the only way to meet my specific & somewhat oddball needs). The evolution of these types of weapons produced a bewildering number of variants and stock variations (and that's just in Pennsylvania!) On top of that, different regions of this country produced necessarily different styles and even types of these firearms, such as under-hammers, swivel barrels, etc.

Researching the subject can be daunting as many of the different schools (of thought, ie. regional makers) aren't very well-documented and many of still-living subject-matter "experts" are simply not computer-literate, and furthermore...have no interest in being so (researching the "best" regional moonshine recipes would be a far-easier undertaking). Clearly, this can make it fairly tough to ferret-out the more pertinent facts.

From my reading over the last several months, it's clear that the custom and even semi-custom guns shoot and handle way-better than the mass-produced flinters, and... for only a truly-minimal investment (~$1,500) you can have an shockingly beautiful artifact produced in the classically traditional way (ie. by hand!). I would challenge you to find a better buy anywhere in the world of either art or guns.

Can anybody here lead me in the right direction on my question of fit?

First I am trying to figure out what the question is. There are 3 paragraphs in your post and I really can't make head nor hair of what you are saying or asking.
However shotgun measurements and rifle measurements aren't related to each other. A shotgun is a point firearm while a rifle is a aiming firearm. In a fitted shotgun there are 2 reference points which your brain uses to point it at the target. The rear point being your cheek position on the comb of the stock and the front reference being the hand holding the forearm. (the bead on the end of the barrels really is not required at all to be a great wing shot) I rifle also uses 2 reference points, a rear sight and a front sight. They allow you to align the barrel so that it points at the target, whatever that is and compensates for bullet drop and windage.

I would suggest you go to a website for Track of the Wolf, they sell everything muzzleloader and have measured patterns.

For a muzzleloader, decide about what you want based on traditional patterns then band-saw it out in 1/2" plywood.
Add shingle nails for sights. Pick a spot, close your eyes and bring the pattern up to check alignment.
Modify the pattern or make a new one until the nails align. May take three or four times.
Use this pattern to lay out your stock, but must look traditional. Easier with experienced riflemen, tougher with beginners.
Chuck