Hi Jamie,
Welcome to the board!
Ive put together this important canned advice for members new to SXSs to help save them time, money, ammo, and frustration.
Many vintage SXSs have far different stock dimensions than modern guns. Modern guns typically have 1.5 drop at the comb, 2.5 drop at the heal and a 14 Length of pull. Vintage SXSs, particularly vintage American SXSs, will typically have 3-3.5s drop at the heal. This steep drop will cause the average shooter to consistently shoot under his target. Its a good idea to take the shotgun that you currently shoot the best and measure its stock dimensions and then find a SXS with similar dimensions. Typically, with American SXSs (but not all) the more modern the gun, the more likely it will have modern shooting dimensions. If you have access, its a good idea to meet with a professional stock fitter and find out what stock dimensions fit you best. Again, money well spent in saving time, ammo, and frustration.
When you get your SXS, check it for point of impact. To learn where your gun is shooting, put up a large sheet of cardboard (a nice sized piece from an appliance box is good) draw five small black circles on the cardboard, one near each corner and one in the center, and then step back 50 feet. Starting in low gun position, smoothly bring your gun up to your shoulder and quickly shoot at one of the circles, just as youd shoot at a bird or a clay target starting from the low gun position. Repeat four more times shooting a fresh circle each time. Do you note a consistency as to where the shot is hitting the paper in relationship to the circle? That is your guns point of impact. With this knowledge you can either adjust your stock (by having it bent) or adjust your shooting view to compensate.
I hope you find this is information to be useful.
Steve
Last edited by Rockdoc; 03/01/12 12:00 PM.
