How many switched over to a thumbhole and hated it? I just got home from the range with my axis 2 HB and actually paid attention to how much this thing flexes. I grew up shooting nothing but normal hunting stocks and recently went with a uni grip thumbhole on my muzzleloader and kind of like it but the wood stock right hand only stocks look uncomfortable. I'm looking for something that will help me shoot off a bench better, bench for woodchucks and sitting bipod or prone for varmint hunting.
thumbhole vs reg stock?
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You asked for people who tried it and hated it. That's not me. So be that as it may.....
I like my thumbhole stock. It's very comfortable and I look forward to shooting it. It so happens my hand is a little small for it. I kind of have to reach for the trigger. But it's not a big deal. I try to remember to position my hand leaning towards the front of the grip - to ensure I get more of my finger on the trigger.
BTW, I use it off the bench only. I'm not lugging it around in the field. It's pretty heavy. (It's a Boyd's laminate.)
I like my thumbhole stock. It's very comfortable and I look forward to shooting it. It so happens my hand is a little small for it. I kind of have to reach for the trigger. But it's not a big deal. I try to remember to position my hand leaning towards the front of the grip - to ensure I get more of my finger on the trigger.
BTW, I use it off the bench only. I'm not lugging it around in the field. It's pretty heavy. (It's a Boyd's laminate.)
Swampman
Old Fart
It seems to me that proper fit is more critical with a thumbhole than it is with regular stocks.
It's obviously not optimal, but it seems like I can fit myself fairly well to almost any standard type rifle stock. If a thumbhole doesn't fit me properly, it makes shooting well almost impossible.
A properly fitted thumbhole is great for certain uses, but if they don't fit, they suck.
It's obviously not optimal, but it seems like I can fit myself fairly well to almost any standard type rifle stock. If a thumbhole doesn't fit me properly, it makes shooting well almost impossible.
A properly fitted thumbhole is great for certain uses, but if they don't fit, they suck.
Thumbholes are comfortable, help with felt recoil some (imo do to.contact as well as generally being heavier), and i find to be more controllable.
That said I bought a few and dont own any, they are very limiting in terms of improvised positions, and snap shooting (unless you practice with them alot). On hunting guns i cant stand them. For a bench or other fixed position they will probably work great.
That said I bought a few and dont own any, they are very limiting in terms of improvised positions, and snap shooting (unless you practice with them alot). On hunting guns i cant stand them. For a bench or other fixed position they will probably work great.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I've only fired thumbhole stocked guns at benches or while sitting. Thumbhole stocks seem fine for that, otherwise they are a little heavy and bulky.
dmurdach
Member
I really like the thumbhole stock on my Savage 25 in 17 hornet. But I often shoot with my father, who due to eye problems has had to switch to shooting left handed, and he can not manage to shoot it.
22250Rem
Member
I got my first thumbhole stock when I purchased a 22 cal. Benjamin Trail air rifle in 2015 that came with a thumbhole. That's when I found that it seemed to help my offhand shooting. Then back in January of this year I picked up a CZ 455 Varmint Thumbhole Fluted in 22 LR and discovered that it fit my hand better than most conventional stocks. I like the way I can position my hand for proper contact of trigger finger and trigger while having a good grip in the thumbhole. I've been shooting the CZ off hand and benchrested and I really like the thumbhole. These are the only two things that I've had any experience with regarding thumbholes and neither one of them has any kind of recoil that would matter. So while I really like thumbholes I'd like to shoot something with a bit of kick to it so I could see and feel how that would factor into my fondness for them.
I have Thumbhole or Pistol grip stocks on every gun that I can get them for except my Savage Axis. In each case, I find them more comfortable and more "natural" than conventional stocks.
The only reason I don't have a Thumbhole stock on my Savage is that the ones I have found, like the one from Boyd's, are expensive.
The only reason I don't have a Thumbhole stock on my Savage is that the ones I have found, like the one from Boyd's, are expensive.
Varminterror
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If Boyd's stocks are expensive, don't ever dare to look at McMillan's webpage!!!
Thumb hole stocks are bulky and heavy, but if you need the steeper wrist angle, the reward is well worth the consequence. I tend to prefer benchrest/gooseneck style stocks or pistol grip chassis' over thumb holes, but after 20yrs of riding bulls, my wrist and hand just don't move well enough any more to comfortably grip a standard sporter stock. I usually end up holding my middle finger against the stock and my pinky floats away from the stock - not good for grip contact. Vertical grips, whether bench style or thumb hole are not quite as fast shouldering or as natural for pointing as a sporter stock, but for guys who need a steep grip angle, the improved comfort yields improved precision.
Thumb hole stocks are bulky and heavy, but if you need the steeper wrist angle, the reward is well worth the consequence. I tend to prefer benchrest/gooseneck style stocks or pistol grip chassis' over thumb holes, but after 20yrs of riding bulls, my wrist and hand just don't move well enough any more to comfortably grip a standard sporter stock. I usually end up holding my middle finger against the stock and my pinky floats away from the stock - not good for grip contact. Vertical grips, whether bench style or thumb hole are not quite as fast shouldering or as natural for pointing as a sporter stock, but for guys who need a steep grip angle, the improved comfort yields improved precision.
BCRider
Member
I've got two thumbhole stocked .22's and shot a few others. Aside from the more friendly wrist angle I found that the biggest factor is the higher comb that lets me get a better cheek bone weld to the comb than I typically get on regular stocks. Especially for scopes or other raised style sights such as some peep sights. For standing unsupported that really helps me stabilize the rifle.
But for shooting off the bench where I'm finding that the less I touch the rifle the better it is the higher comb gets in the way. But I'm hardly the best benchrest shooter.
But for shooting off the bench where I'm finding that the less I touch the rifle the better it is the higher comb gets in the way. But I'm hardly the best benchrest shooter.
Sunray
Member
A thumbhole stock doesn't make you shoot better. They only change how your hand fits on the stock. Puts it in the more natural position of up and down vs bent forward. Same as a pistol gripped battle rifle.
Some right hand only stocks are useable left handed. Depends on the size and fit. Used to shoot an Anschutz 190 with a thumbhole stock(I think they were. It's been a while) left with no fuss. Just didn't use or try to use the thumbhole.
"...the one from Boyd's, are expensive..." $144US is cheap. http://www.rifle-stocks.com/straightlinethumbhole.htm
Some right hand only stocks are useable left handed. Depends on the size and fit. Used to shoot an Anschutz 190 with a thumbhole stock(I think they were. It's been a while) left with no fuss. Just didn't use or try to use the thumbhole.
"...the one from Boyd's, are expensive..." $144US is cheap. http://www.rifle-stocks.com/straightlinethumbhole.htm
I have three AI rifles with thumbhole stocks and there isn't a single downside to that style of stock in my opinion, other than the added weight as has been mentioned. A good thumbhole (or pistol grip) stock allows the wrist to be in a more natural and relaxed position whether shooting prone, off a bench or offhand. I find thumbhole and AR style stocks to be very comfortable and natural to use and a much better fit than most sporter stocks. I have some Marlin lever action rifles and prefer the pistol grip models compared to the straight grip models since they're more comfortable to shoot. This isn't quite the same but when the MAGPUL AFG first came out I bought a couple and very shortly thereafter gave them away because they put my wrist in an unnatural and uncomfortable position. I think that most people will shoot better when they're comfortable.
is that nutmeg color?You asked for people who tried it and hated it. That's not me. So be that as it may.....
I like my thumbhole stock. It's very comfortable and I look forward to shooting it. It so happens my hand is a little small for it. I kind of have to reach for the trigger. But it's not a big deal. I try to remember to position my hand leaning towards the front of the grip - to ensure I get more of my finger on the trigger.
BTW, I use it off the bench only. I'm not lugging it around in the field. It's pretty heavy. (It's a Boyd's laminate.)
Yes - that is Boyd's nutmeg color.
kimberkid
Member
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- Feb 5, 2010
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I have a Boyd's just like this a I built a 22-250 on ... It's very comfortable to shoot; however I've had MAK-90 AK's that just sucked ... But I've also had a Hungarian AK that has a nice thumbhole that was also a pleasure ... It all depends on how well it's madeYou asked for people who tried it and hated it. That's not me. So be that as it may.....
I like my thumbhole stock. It's very comfortable and I look forward to shooting it.
<snip>
BTW, I use it off the bench only. I'm not lugging it around in the field. It's pretty heavy. (It's a Boyd's laminate.)
JeffG
Member
It isn't a matter of loving or hating thumbhole stocks. It was a matter of consistency. I have classic stocks on all of my rifles, I don't want to mix styles. To buy a new rifle with a thumbhole stock, would do that.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I've had them on several rimfires over the last 20 or so years and find them to be extremely comfortable. It slows down operation of the bolt but that's abut the only downside. Due to the aesthetic aspect, I only like them on particular rifles. I'm not going to go on an African plains game hunt with a laminated thumbhole stocked rifle but prairie dogs in South Dakota is just fine. 
well gents I was able to handle a boyds thumbhole stock today and while my worries about being uncomfortable were false I did have an issue and I had it 3 times. the stock jabs my hand in the web a little too much and also presses on my thumb bone where it meets the hand making it uncomfortable. I was able to cycle the bolt fairly fast and reach the trigger with no issue I just didn't like how it dug into my thumb bone. I also handled a classic and prairie hunter and now I'm torn between them. the prairie hunter seemed more suited for scopes but the classic just felt better on my face.
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