I'm hoping to obtain some good advice on whether to modify a Renato Gamba Hunter Special I picked up in January or sell it and look for something that fits me better.
After I bought this gun I realized the stock was cast on (I'm a tall, skinny, right hander - a big rooky mistake, not having purchased many used SxSs in the past). I sent the gun in to have the stock bent to cast neutral but it still shoots high and right.
At that point I decided I better have a gun fitting done rather than spending money foolishly trying to modify the gun without knowing where it actually should be. Here's what the fitting showed me. The Gamba has the following dimensions: LOP=14 7/8", Neutral cast, DAC 1 7/16", DAH 2 7/16".
Here's what I need: LOP = 15 1/8", DAC = 1 7/16", DAH = 2 5/8" DAF = @1 3/4" @ pitch or stand = 2" @ 4 degrees. 3/8" cast off.
I would obviously like to correct the point of impact as well as a cheek slap problem I have always had with all guns.
The gentleman that did the fitting suggested selling the gun and buying one that fits better. He wasn't sure he could bend the stock enough for my needed dimensions - something about the thru bolt design.
I like the gun but I'm not married to it. So my question is - should I modify it or sell it and buy something else?
P.S. If you suggest selling it I will need your input on it's value. I can't find information on the Hunter Special model. It has engraved side plates, 27 1/2" barrels, 12 gauge, monobloc, double triggers, Anson latch on forend, pistol grip, southgate ejectors and nicely figured wood.
Thanks!
Tom,
This is whacky........ the numbers don't add up.
1) You're righthanded, the gun was cast on and it shot RIGHT? If it was cast on enough to matter, it should have shot LEFT for you originally. Having it bent neutral should have made it shoot MORE RIGHT, but if it's really zero cast, it shouldn't shoot right of center.
If this gun is cast ON or NEUTRAL and shoots RIGHT for you, it's possible that the issue is not gun fit, but barrel regulation. Before patterning dynamically for fit (as Builder describes)pattern it to see if it shoots to point of aim. That is, benchrest the gun like a rifle, do whatever contortions you have to get the bead dead center between the barrels, no rib visible and touching a bullseye at 6 o'clock, just like shooting a rifle. If you can't get it to shoot dead center with that sight picture, there may be an issue with regulation that you don't want to try to overcome with stock alterations.
BTW, do both barrels shoot to the same POI?
Have you actually tried shooting some targets with it?
2) For practical purposes, there's little difference between the Gamba's dimensions (LOP=14 7/8", Neutral cast, DAC 1 7/16", DAH 2 7/16") and your ideal (LOP = 15 1/8", DAC = 1 7/16", DAH = 2 5/8",3/8" cast off).
It's unlikely that 1/4" LOP will cause a significant change in POI. With an identical DAC of 1 7/16, the 3/16" difference at heel is nearly negligible BUT is in the right direction to lower the POI. I'd bet only the 3/8" cast is significant and again, if you gained that on the Gamba, your POI should move more RIGHT, apparently not what you want.
3) As to shooting HIGH, if a gun doesn't fit, shooting high is the best way to err.....you don't have to bend it, you can sand down the comb.
In any event, I'd start with a benchrest pattern.