Would you miss a cheek piece if the rifle came without one?

[AZDAVE]

As long as the rifle fits correctly i don't care one way or the other

 

[MS 9x56]

View attachment 716624


I prefer this look.

Are those the original stocks?

 

[Flipper Dude]

Are those the original stocks?

Oh, I have no idea. I would assume so. Just a pic I came across when I was planning my 404 build, and one I passed on to my builder as a general idea for stock design.

 

[Tex .416]

@Tex .416 - WOW ! ….I assume you are a Great Shot, confident, and completely Unpretentious…..

Hank,

very insightful on your observations. I never really thought about it, but that is surprisingly perceptive and accurate.

I grew up shooting competitively and had some luck through the years. I no longer compete, but do still teach some as an avocation.

Here is a young lady I taught that wanted to learn to shoot so she could go deer hunting with her dad. This was taped to the target at 200 yards as her final exam. She had two shots to pass. This was on an outdoor range and there was a bit of wind too.

 

[Red Leg]

Doesn't matter to me in the least. Length of pull and drop are the only two data points that affect my shooting with a rifle. Throw in cast for a shotgun.

I can tell you with certainty that my Rigby does not have a cheekpiece. I am also certain none of my singles have one. Of the other twenty or so rifles in the gun room, most of which I have used fairly extensively, I would have to look.

 

[Bonk]

It doesn't matter to me. I have so many different kinds of stocks on my long guns I’d go crazy trying to make them all the same. On my black rifles I remove the cheek pieces that come with them. Too flimsy.

 

[8 x 60]

No I really don’t think they are necessary particularly on rifles without scopes . About half my rifles have them , the others don’t . Strangely Rigby charge more on their “Vintage” Models to not have a cheek piece .

I kind of agree. However. I have two rifles with quick detachable scopes and iron sights. One is a double. Both have cheekpieces. In both cases there is a very poor cheek- weld when using the scopes, the scope mounts are the lowest possible. Both rifles were fitted with qd scopes at time of manufacture - they are not aftermarket additions. With the iron sights they are perfect.

 

[dogcat1]

no. Just decoration for me.

 

[PCC600]

I kind of agree. However. I have two rifles with quick detachable scopes and iron sights. One is a double. Both have cheekpieces. In both cases there is a very poor cheek- weld when using the scopes, the scope mounts are the lowest possible. Both rifles were fitted with qd scopes at time of manufacture - they are not aftermarket additions. With the iron sights they are perfect.

I think there is a lot of compromise when making stocks which use QD mounts . I have 2x425 WR rifles . The older one is set up for open sights . No cheek piece and very accurate - at least at my hunting ranges . The other has factory QD scope. It has a cheek piece . A very different stock - much thicker / heavier . I have set it up for scope on hunting . Shoots well with scope on/off . I have a Purdey double . It is a 303 from 1897. A scope was mounted by Purdey in late 1920s . It has what looks like a shotgun stock . No cheek piece , no pistol grip . Low mounted scope . Shoots well with scope on or off - again my deer hunting range is max 150 yards . My Rigby 500NE which is still a year from completion has no cheek piece and I’m fine with that . Other doubles from H&H , WR all came with cheek pieces - all with express sights but do not need the cheek piece . An old 404J - no cheek piece. It really is a mixed bag . I just don’t see the need for a cheek piece with open sights .

 

[uplander01]

Simple answer, no.

 

[TnKen]

I am left handed but have only ever owned right handed action rifles. So I have never been able to take advantage of a cheek piece.
I have flirted with buying a custom stock-they do make them for those confused such as myself

I am the same way shoot right hand rifles left handed. I have had two custom stocks made for a left shooter right hand action.

 

[Warbeast]

I prefere a stock without a cheek peace.
Like the ckran looks and can use it with both shouldrers.

 

[Luvthunt]

Simple answer, no.

+1

 

[HankBuck]

I am the same way shoot right hand rifles left handed. I have had two custom stocks made for a left shooter right hand action.

@TnKen - as a Lefty I grew up having to adapt and shoot RH bolt actions - But, in the 1990s I enjoyed when LH actions on Bolt rifles became more common and that’s what I’ve bought ever since. While any Lefty can learn to use a RH Bolt action - and many have to based on necessity — It will always be slower for them then using a LH action. I’ve also never had a problem later selling my used LH rifles.
What exactly is a Custom LH stock for a RH action? Other then cheek piece…all else is the same?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Hank,

very insightful on your observations. I never really thought about it, but that is surprisingly perceptive and accurate.

I grew up shooting competitively and had some luck through the years. I no longer compete, but do still teach some as an avocation.

Here is a young lady I taught that wanted to learn to shoot so she could go deer hunting with her dad. This was taped to the target at 200 yards as her final exam. She had two shots to pass. This was on an outdoor range and there was a bit of wind too.

View attachment 716656

Silver dollar! That was an expensive target! I taped up a loonie (brass Canadian $1 coin) on a target for my 11 year-old grandson to shoot with my scoped .22. He hit it at 50 feet first shot (not surprising as he can repeatedly hit the brass end of empty 12 gauge casing). Unfortunately, the coin went flying to parts unknown. We looked for it over half an hour till it was almost dark. I wanted to frame it with him posing. On the way home I said, "Well Parker, you shot your first buck today. Too bad it got away. Must have been hit in the guts." Next day around noon his mom calls. "What the hell did you do with Parker yesterday? The principal just phoned and says he's telling kids he shot a deer [not in season and Parker is too young to have a license]" Har, har! I explained. Apparently the faculty got a good laugh. It's a Catholic school and most of the teachers are from Italian families big on hunting/fishing. Glad they didn't call the cops. The few I have met in this town don't have much sense of humor.

 

[TnKen]

@TnKen - as a Lefty I grew up having to adapt and shoot RH bolt actions - But, in the 1990s I enjoyed when LH actions on Bolt rifles became more common and that’s what I’ve bought ever since. While any Lefty can learn to use a RH Bolt action - and many have to based on necessity — It will always be slower for them then using a LH action. I’ve also never had a problem later selling my used LH rifles.
What exactly is a Custom LH stock for a RH action? Other then cheek piece…all else is the same?

The other difference is the grip. One of my stocks is a thumb hole, so the cut out is different. The “custom” designation is because no company that I’m aware of keeps the configuration in inventory.
I run the bolt with my right hand, keeping the rifle pointing at the target never giving up my firing grip. Right hand comes off forearm straight to bolt, bolt is run and forward movement goes to forearm again.

 

[Ryan]

Much like checkering it may improve the rifle aesthetically when done well but for practical purposes, not so much. As a lefty I have two custom stocks with cheek pieces and two without. Well, one has a right-handers cheek piece. Can't honestly say it makes a difference to me.

When it comes to practical features on rifles look at military rifles. No cheek piece, no checkering. But adjustable comb for proper eye alignment are a more common feature.

 

[Doug3006]

Definitely wouldn’t miss a cheek piece. Unless the stock was fitted to the owner, a cheek piece is just an ornament. I like the looks of a well finished stock with one and without one.