Lee Enfield Rifle Butt

[DanL96a1]

I have a friend who is not sure what rifle butt length he needs for his No.4. How do you assess what length rifle butt you require to “fit” you correctly? Any information and help would be warmly received.

Information

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[Daan Kemp]

LE butts were made in four lengths; long, standard, short, bantam; each different by half an inch or 12.7mm. Keep in mind these rifles were made in the time when men were much shorter than today and allowance was included for thicker clothing for cold climates.

A quick measure is to hold the rifle in the strong hand about the wrist, finger on the trigger, elbow bent 90 degrees. The butt should just touch the upper arm. The butts available will all probably be shorter than you want, especially if you are in shirt sleeves. A slip on boot does wonders.

[CINDERS]

It depends on how you shoot if you wear a padded jacket like full bore all the time then your going to need a smaller butt, though bear in mind the geometry changes if you decide to shoot in a shirt off a bench could end up kissing the rear sight.

[ArtioZen]

I'm 6'5" and the bolt-on rubber but pads have done wonders for rifle use and stance (positions). I was scouting for long butts else. As its rubber its also a little grippier on your shoulder "pocket". Purists mat not like it though..

[CINDERS]

After a 100+ rounds over various ranges in a day shooting matches I get a tad wearisome of the standard butt plate even with a small amount of padding I did make up a thin piece of chicken strip foam for underneath the jacket but it always slipped down and was about as much use as fly screen on a submarine. But when I have hunted with the 303 never felt the recoil then again only really firing no more that 2-4 rounds sometimes nought if the game don't show.

[Daan Kemp]

A slip on boot, makes a huge difference in felt recoil too.

It slips on, stays in place, works well for many and fast repeated shots. Doesn't move around, well not on my No 4 it doesn't.

[DanL96a1]

Hi thanks for all the advice, I will on pass this information.

[Mk VII]

If he can't work the bolt without having to move his head out of the way, it's too short. (does not apply when wearing sling as you are closer then)

[Daan Kemp]

Agreed. If the bolt touches your face [cheek firmly against the butt, eye aligned with the sights on the target] when loading the next round the butt is too short. You must be able to fire a full magazine without lifting your head from the butt.

[Sunray]

The standard butt plate and stock being narrow and the rounded edges feeling like they aim the recoil into your shoulder. A old style CF combat jacket with the liner fixes it. So does a Pachmayr slip on recoil pad.
Anyway, what you're talking about is your Length Of Pull(LOP). It's the same with a Lee-Enfield as it is for a Win M70. Tell your buddy to grasp and shoulder a yard stick like he would a rifle. Where his trigger finger is on the stick is his LOP. Same thing with the stick in his bent elbow.
Stick lengths are given here in Post #6. http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3862