In my quest to figure out just how short does a stock need to be to fit my almost 9 year old daughter, I came across this. I thought it was pretty interesting.



I am not necessarily a chassis user, for bolt action rifles, but it will be the best option for a girl that's still growing. I can adjust LOP as well as comb height as she grows.

(Don't tell me about an AR stock, I am well aware. She is getting a bolt action.)

tag

I'll bring my daughters Browning Micro Midas 7mm-08 and 20ga 870 youth Saturday if you want to measure the LOP

Is she lefty?

No. Thank God!

The video is good for average guy to get a starting point. Length will also vary with shooting style and stock shape. Angle of grip or it being a straight grip (like a lever gun) will change required length.
Gunsmiths who do stock work will have a gauge to get an idea of what is needed.
For a youth the trigger to nose distance would be less due to a smaller stature. Going to a local Gunshop, preferably one with a big variety of used guns, the stocks can be tried on until a good length is found. There are many 22LR rifles with stocks from a little short to a lot short. A few measurements can be taken (measurements may be a composite, this pull was good but this other had a good comb height) and use for the rifle.
If a common rifle, such as a Remington or Winchester, is used a take off stock can be found and cut and filled to meet the need and the original stock save for when she is full grown.

M

You make good points.

Remember, I said chassis. It adjusts to the shooter, not the shooter adjusting to the stock. I'm not a chassis user, but it makes sense for a growing child. That, coupled with a picatinny rail allows lots of adjustment for comfort, as well as eye relief.

I plan, by the time my daughter is 18, she will be hell on wheels with a rifle.

I'm not sure I understand that whole 'nose' business, in the video that placed his right eye way beyond normal eye relief for a scope (yes, I know the scope can be adjusted a bit). Growing up with shotguns, we always placed the butt of the gun in the crook of our elbow, the trigger should fall in the middle of your shooting finger pad. P_102

The "nose thing" is it gives enough space between your hand and face to not get hit under recoil.
It is a guideline, not perfect for everyone but is a starting point.

M

I watched this video before ordering a pro varmint stock from them. Figured out I need a 14-1/2" LOP. Gun feels real nice now. What I would like to figure out next is the measurement from grip to trigger. Seems I can't pull with the pad of my finger like I'd like to. An extra 1/2" in the spacing would be helpful. This goes for all guns. Guess I have big hands.

I am working on a project Winchester that is set up to shoot off sticks. We semi finished the rear half of the stock, I held it and put my finger where I wanted the trigger then inletted to line up. You can also hold a similar stock/rifle, hold your finger where you want it and measure the gap. Inlet new stock that much forward.
When I shoot off sticks I tend to lean my head forward, like you are not supposed to, so I made the length of pull long enough to match, 17"!


M

I had a very experienced gunsmith describe the manner to check length of pull in a much simpler way.

1. Make sure the gun is unloaded.

2. Hold the rifle or shotgun with either hand as if you were going to make a one-handed shot with the firearm pointed straight up. Steady the firearm with your other hand on the forearm stock.

3. With the firearm now pointed straight up and your finger on the trigger, raise your elbow on the arm and hand that is around the neck of the stock so that your bicep is horizontal.

4. If the LOP is correct, you should be able to place the butt of the stock inside your elbow without any problem.

What is it's way short?

It creates an excessive gap that takes more time to shoulder the rifle or shotgun. Just imagine yourself trying to quickly shoulder a kids BB gun and you'll get the idea. When the LOP is too long, the butt of the stock ends up less in the shoulder and more in the upper arm.

I could see a chassis working out great. I know a couple of guys that have used the Howa Axiom rifles for kids because they can easily adjust lop as the kids grow.