TargetTalk

For years I have had guns that I had to adjust to, now I have a gun that will adjust to me. My Anschutz Match 54 has more adjustments than I know how to adjust. I shoot small bore prone at the local range the gun has an adjustable cheek and a Bill Earnest adjustable butt plate. I am looking for any information to setup the butt plate. I have adjusted to the gun so long that I don’t know to adjust the gun to me.

Thanks
Bill

This is a very difficult question to answer, as we can't see you, or the rifle. So, don't become disheartened if some of the answers contradict each other.

You also don't mention which position this is for. So to avoid confusion I'm talking about prone, and a right-handed shooter.

Here is my take. I will presume that the the butt-handstop distance comfortable: i.e. is the butt snug in your shoulder, not too loose, and not too tight? If it is not, you may just want to put everything back to a neutral setting, and rebuild the position from scratch.

If the sling/handstop is OK, we have a place to start.

1) Put the buttplate to the centre of it's vertical and horizontal adjustment. If there is a butthook, remove it.

2) Next we want to look at the butt-grip distance. You want your trigger hand to fall comfortably on the grip, without cramping or stretching your arm. It's good if your wrist is straight, but depending on your stock type, this may not be possible. However a straight wrist is a good sign.

If you already have this, great! If not gradually lengthen/shorten the butt as required, until it feels comfortable. Try not to go too long; more than 1-1.5in extension (standard wood stock) is too much unless you are 6'2"+.

3) Butt height. You want the butt plate to be making fiull contact with your shoulder, and have the sights in front of your eye. Normally the plate will be raised a little. If you need to, raise the plate a little at a time.

4) Butt offset, use this to bring the sightline nearer to your eye. Go slowly, and in small stages. Most prone shooters have the plate centred, or a little to the right. You may find that a little rotation lets the plate sits more securely.

5) Cheekpiece. I'm tempted to say leave this off until you have the butt set comfortably. When you do bring it in, set it neutrally (height/offset), and adjust from there until you can look through the sights without holding up your head, or pressing down too hard. If you have a broad face, you'll probably want the cheekpeice moved over to the right.

If the cheekpeice doesn't fit, make a new one. I took years to realise that standard cheekpeices don't fit me. After reshaping with plastic wood, it finally does.

Tim S