SMLE rounded butt plate

[WNO1958]

Every other military rifle of the the time has a flat or nearly flat butt plate. Why does the SMLe have a rounded butt plate?

This is about the only feature I don't like on my No4 LE.

Thanks in advance.

Walter

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[Peter Laidler]

Just to fit into the shoulder.

[Homer]

Walter maybe you've just nailed it. If every other rifle of the time has a flat butt plate, maybe this is why the LE was the best.

[newcastle]

Mayeb this is why the LE was used for long range target shooting for years after the war. The butt plate enables a more snug and consistent fit to the shoulder, and as we all know, it is consistency that enables good grouping and good grouping enable high scoring in competition.

[WNO1958]

THanks everyone for your answers.

I would buy the accuracy arguement except that if rounded butt plates gave a more solid stock fit then you would see it featured on match rifle in high-power competition. The match rifles I have seen have all had flat butt plates with checkering or ridges to keep the stock in place on the shoulder.

My complaint against the smooth rounded butt plate is that it seems more likely than not to find a different place on the shoulder. Also after 20 rounds or so in prone, the rounded shape begins to feel like a wedge instead of half-circle.

Walter

[Thunderbox]

THanks everyone for your answers.

I would buy the accuracy arguement except that if rounded butt plates gave a more solid stock fit then you would see it featured on match rifle in high-power competition. The match rifles I have seen have all had flat butt plates with checkering or ridges to keep the stock in place on the shoulder.

My complaint against the smooth rounded butt plate is that it seems more likely than not to find a different place on the shoulder. Also after 20 rounds or so in prone, the rounded shape begins to feel like a wedge instead of half-circle.

Walter

But military rifles are all about rapid shouldering and snap shooting; a chequered or rubber butt pad would inhibit rapid weapon handling. Probably also why most military butts are shorter than the optimum length for target shooting.