In shotgun mounting, the area that should fit snugly against the stock is the shoulder pocket—the soft area just above and slightly to the rear of the armpit. The stock should settle into this pocket so the butt rests against the shoulder while your cheek weld sits comfortably on the comb to align your eye with the sights. This setup helps absorb recoil, maintains a stable mount, and promotes consistent aiming. Key points:
- Shoulder pocket location: just above the armpit, slightly off-center to avoid transmitting recoil into the collarbone.
- Cheek weld: rest your cheek firmly on the stock’s comb to keep a consistent sight picture.
- Alignment and stability: a proper pocket fit aids eye alignment with the rib/bead and improves control, especially under recoil or when tracking moving targets.
Notes for practice:
- Ensure your gun is properly fitted to your body to prevent muzzle rise and discomfort.
- If the stock doesn’t feel comfortable or you notice excessive kick, consider a professional shotgun fitting to adjust length of pull, comb height, and recoil pad.
