Cheek-weld problem--just me?

[Beagle-zebub]

I recently acquired a Savage Mark II FVT, which I love so very very much.

There's just one problem: even when I weld my cheek as far up the comb as I can, my line of sight is merely right down the bore of the barrel, such that I can see the rifling if the bolt is removed. I have solved this problem by taping a thick (about two-inches) paperback book on top of the comb, but I'm left wondering, is it just that my form is off? And if not, is my face sufficiently abnormal to render my line of sight that out of whack? And lastly, what are others' experiences with this? If it's common, I sure pity the bloke who has to try to shoot his service rifle accurately with his eye an inch below the sight-line.

When I form my cheek-weld, my cheekbone is on top of the stock, and the gums of my upper row of teeth are pressing my skin into the side of the stock.

 

[rbernie]

It certainly seems to me that stocks are simply not shaped for a cheekweld anymore. I struggle with this constantly.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Most 22's are of the old, iron sight stock design. It is imperative that you utilize proper cheek weld, so get yourself a add on cheek-piece and let there be peace on earth!

we use a number of different add on cheek pieces for our build...

the Leatherman brand(Accu-Riser) will be good, so will the Kartsen brand, if you don't want to drill your stock or glue to it, try the Beartooth brand comb raising kits.

Leatherman...http://www.blackpowderbags.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TLM&Category_Code=ACP

Karsten...http: //www.snipercentral.com/karsten.htm
(801) 577-5261

Beartooth....http://www.beartooth-products.com/shop/vmchk/comb-raising-kits.html

 

[ArmedBear]

Those peep sights are higher than the barrel, and Savage probably should have put on a different stock. Just looking at it, my reaction is that it has way too much drop.

Savage sells a couple of other stocks with varmint profile barrels, with the BV and BTV. Should be a drop-in fit.

I'd see if I could buy one, or something like it. The BV's comb is similar to what Marlin uses, and I find Marlin's stocks to offer a good cheek weld.

Other companies than Savage do make .22 bolt rifles with less drop and/or a raised comb. However, I don't know of another company that makes something like the FVT with target peep sights installed on a heavy barrel, at least anywhere near the price range in question.

A stock swap would probably be the best option.

 

[52grain]

You should be able to swap stocks with one of the other Mark II stocks, but some filing will be necessary because the FVT model has a rail for the rear peep sight.

Not to hijack the thread, but I've been having the same problem with my Mark II. It has the same synthetic stock. I was wondering if anyone knew of where I could find an aftermarket stock for the Mark II.

 

[alemonkey]

I think cheek weld is very subjective. I shoot about 99% iron sights, but I actually tend to like a lower comb than most people, even when shooting scopes. Maybe it's just the way my head is shaped.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

There are facts concerning a good comb built into the stock to achieve an easy cheek weld. In the old days they knew what they were doing.
However you can try a "chin" weld. No joke and somewhat talked about.

 

[dirtyjim]

i may be the odd man out here but in my shooting the only time a good cheekweld is realy needed is on a snap shot at running game.
if i'm shooting from a bench or a blind i don't need it.
most of my hunting rifles are stocked for open sights & i've never had a problen shooting them scoped, but if a gun is stocked for a scope i have a hard time getting low enough for a fast shot with open sights.
off a bench i don't even want my cheek to touch the rifle

 

[ArmedBear]

Note that he's talking about a specific rifle: the Savage heavy-barrel .22LR with peep target sights.

With peep sights, you save yourself a lot of fatigue when you shoot a lot of rounds, and you gain accuracy, by using a cheek weld.

Without one, you have to line up your head, the sights, and the target for every shot. With a cheek weld, you lock the gun in place with your face and body, and just shoot the target.