Thread: Shotgun Cast

Can someone please give me a simply explanation of cast off on a shotgun.

Also, I am right handed and right eye dominant. What sort of cast do I need?

Cast is when the butt is not in a straight line behind the barrels. Lay a straight edge down the centre of the barrels and look to see where the butt sits. Usually it will be off to the right of the line (right hand, right eye). How much depends on the individual. There won't be many gunsmiths who can measure you properly.

'Cast off' is when the centre line of the stock is to the right of the centre line of the barrels, 'cast on' is when the stock line is to the left. Right-handed, right-eye shooters usually have some cast off to bring their eye to the centre line of the barrels in a comfortable shooting stance. The build of the shooter and the shape of their face have a bearing on the amount of cast off required. Similarly 'pitch' (the angle of the butt plate) and comb height also play a part in getting a proper fit. It is pointless measuring a customer for stock fit until they have been shooting for a while and have adopted a proper shooting stance. The whole exersize of stock fit is to assure a constant comfortable fit in the correct shooting position in order to achieve consistent results.

So something the average duck shooter need not worry about?

A properly fitted gun will help you to hit the target better. Simple way is to bring your gun up with your eyes closed, see where the gun is pointed.

Try you tube
Don Currie Elements of gun fit #4
even the average duck shooter would benefit from
computer won't copy the link

Originally Posted by Harryg

Try you tube
Don Currie Elements of gun fit #4
even the average duck shooter would benefit from
computer won't copy the link

if every shooter did worry about it a lot less birds would get missed or wounded.
realisticly it doesn't get as much attention as it should but if you got the dough its the best thing you can do to make yourself a chance of being a good shotgunner.
rightee,s are far better served than leftys with the range of right handed adjustable stock guns around now.
there s a plethora of semis with stocks adjustable for length pitch cast.

If you just go out for a couple duck shoots each year then do not get too hung up about cast. But you do need to know is where you are shooting. In simple terms this is a matter of mounting your gun consistently so that you are always pointing it in the same direction and then knowing where your shot is going. Mount is a matter of instruction and then practice. Knowing where your shot is going is just a matter of spending time on a pattern board. Once you know where you are shooting then it is just a matter of matching the appropriate choke for the expected distances you will be shooting.

If you are going out for just a couple of ducks a year then definitely get your gun fitted to you!
You wait all year for duck shooting and miss because your gun doesn't fit no one puts up with ill fitting boots

Never heard about this untill I came to the uk! Since then have had two shotguns fitted. Very interesting how they do it with Heat lamps and vice.
Since having it done my shooting has improved out of sight! also now I can't blame the gun....chokes then I can blame them
Have a read of this for chokes! Works for me
Guide to shotgun choke. Everything you need to know.

Very interesting guys. Thanks for sharing your experience.....

Go get it done.
The auto is plastic so I set cast into it from new.
SXS just fits
28ga needs cast. Left running animal=no lead, right=extra lead, going away shoot down the right hand side.

Now someone said length of pull is adjustable on a lot of guns.....not the new plastic ones, several of those you can't even take a saw to. But most people shoot better with a shorter gun, so what do they do? Put a big long buttpad on it