The majority of my shotguns consist of old SxS, but recently, I have been shooting an O/U a bit more often on the range. My question is for those who shoot the O/U more frequently: How firmly should I be lodging the comb against my zygomatic arch?
It could be a misconception, but it seems that the vertical recoil plane of the O/U tends to punish my cheek when I plant it firmly, or "bury" it on the comb. Backing off on the pressure seems to lessen the bruise, but I tend to miss more birds as a consequence. I do not have this problem with my SxS. All my guns have been altered to fit me and so, for argument's sake, presume gunfit is not an issue. I also shoot low pressure, 1 oz loads, so likewise assume that the load is not an issue. I'd appreciate the musings of others on this topic.
Owen,
You mentioned that your SxS's are fitted for you. Is the O/U fitted as well? You said that easing the cheek pressure causes you to miss birds, possibly resulting in the incorrect drop at comb/face.
I have one SxS that is stocked just a wee bit high, requiring me to cheek harder to get the correct sight picture. No bruising as it's a 28 ga. I normally cheek the combs on my other ones with medium/comfortable pressure. Drop at heel and stock pitch can have a great affect also.
Hope this helps,
Karl
I thought your zygomatic arch was in your foot....
If your gun smacks you in the face it does not fit you.
Gun fit for side by side and O/U are almost always different. You put your finger on the main difference. O/U recoil is rearward and upward while Side by Side also has a horizontal portion of recoil. Same amount of recoil spread over three vectors will caus less impact to the cheek area. If you add a little cast off to your O/U you can reduce the cheek impact. Also if you have a fat cheek area, this will allow you to get your eye centered on the bead rib area without rolling your face over the comb.
If you are going to get fit for a stock do not expect one measurement to translate for both types of guns. A few are that lucky but not many.
The majority of my shotguns consist of old SxS, but recently, I have been shooting an O/U a bit more often on the range. My question is for those who shoot the O/U more frequently: How firmly should I be lodging the comb against my zygomatic arch?
It could be a misconception, but it seems that the vertical recoil plane of the O/U tends to punish my cheek when I plant it firmly, or "bury" it on the comb. Backing off on the pressure seems to lessen the bruise, but I tend to miss more birds as a consequence. I do not have this problem with my SxS. All my guns have been altered to fit me and so, for argument's sake, presume gunfit is not an issue. I also shoot low pressure, 1 oz loads, so likewise assume that the load is not an issue. I'd appreciate the musings of others on this topic.
Gun fit is obviously the issue and seeking advice on gun fit from this place is your first mistake. As was noted above the gun doesn't seem to fit you. No one here can tell you why. You need someone who actually knows how to evaluate your problem standing beside you. Translating dimensions from one gun to another many times will not work but has NOTHING to do with O/U or SxS.
besta luck
I agree with Jon that fit for S x Ss and for O/Us are not going to be exactly the same. That said, without exception, every gun that ever smacked my cheek didn't have enough DAC, and I would be "getting down" on the comb too hard. And the most egregious one was a S x S. Just my experience.
SRH
Helpful comments. I have gone back to my measurement sheets from stock alterations a couple of years ago. My gunfit DAC is 1 1/4 and the finished gun measures 1 3/8. That is such a slight difference, but I suppose it could matter. My gunfit cast is 3/8 and this gun is 1/4, so I do find myself rolling over the comb ever so slightly to compensate which may magnify the problem.