MAGAZINE

ThisSMALLBOREBusinessshould be followed and the result is usually a veryconsistent recoil pattern, particularly with a smallborerifle. The 300m centrefire does have a more savagerecoil factor but still remains problematical when thehook is in contact with the muscle structure down therib-cage of the shooter.Look at the rifle butt picture in this article whichshows the hook plate in use on my Lion free rifle. Itis a simple design with just functional adjustments.Notice the 10 degree positive rotation of the wholebutt-plate (viewed from behind) which simply contactsthe personal muscle structure in my right shoulder,plus the outward adjustment of the hook itself. It isdesigned that way to ensure that there is no bodycontact with the sides of the hook. As you will seealso, the butt-plate system is quite simple, the ‘KISS’principle survives in my house!The picture above shows the hook plate in use on myLion free rifle. It is a simple design with just functionaladjustments. Notice the 10 degree positive rotationof the whole butt-plate (viewed from behind) whichsimply contacts the personal muscle structure in myright shoulder, plus the outward adjustment of thehook itself. It is designed that way to ensure that thereis no body contact with the sides of the hook. As youwill see also, the butt-plate system is quite simple, the‘KISS’ principle survives in my house!pressure in contact like this (see photograph) willresult in considerable ‘thrash’ of the rifle within therecoil. The muzzle will dance sideways, to and fro,which can result in an elongated sideways group,compounded by the fact that the shooter often willblame their own wind judgement for the wild shot thatfalls on the target!Look at the two photographs which show the hookin firm contact with the muscle structure of the ribcage,explained above and the second picture showingthe hook following the arm-pit without any sidewaysinfluence at all. This is just a simple adjustment thatBack in my early days of smallbore, the hook systemswere very basic and often did I see the addition oftimber, tape, leather or even a folded hanky fittedto the hook to allow firmer contact points in theshoulder. These were largely the result of manyexperiments from the shooter in the never endingquest for accuracy. Sometimes they got it right mate!More to the point, in these days ofinnovation, or even gadgets, it is funnybecause you still have to shoot the rifleeh? This is what I have found anyway...I just keep remembering Martinov and thebent stick with a chunk of gas pipe!Think on this a bit.Brooksie52