Step rib?

rcase1234 · December 23, 2012, 12:28 AM

What is a step rib and what are some pros and cons of them? Just was reading about them and now I'm curious. Happy holidays everyone!

PetahW · December 23, 2012, 10:29 AM

AFAIK, step ribs are usually used on Trap-shooting guns, to give a higher line-of-sight for those shooters that prefer to shoot with a "heads up" position.

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zippy13 · December 23, 2012, 06:36 PM

With a higher rib, there is less barrel interfering with your field of vision on raising targets. This results in faster target acquisition and higher scores.

One of the surest ways of missing a target is to lose it under your barrel. When a target gets under your barrel, the natural tendency is to raise your head to get a better look (typically subconsciously) and you shoot over the target. A raised rib can help prevent this by reducing your blind spot a little.

olddrum1 · December 31, 2012, 02:32 AM

Not to sure what you mean by a step rib. Do you mean a raised rib? If you do, they were found to let the shooter keep his or her head in an upright position lessening the stress on the neck when shooting 16 yard targets all day.

rcase1234 · December 31, 2012, 10:53 AM

That is what I mean olddrum. Does anyone know how a raised rib is for duck hunting? Like I mean is it good for waterfowl? Happy new year everyone

olddrum1 · January 2, 2013, 01:11 AM

Nope, would not use for duck hunting.

nmbrinkman · March 3, 2013, 08:38 AM

I personally love the stepped rib. It's not super tall like a skeet model. Just slightly raised maybe 1/8"-1/4" I believe. It all depends you. I really have to jam my cheek into my 870 to get a good look down the rib. I'm sure with shotguns that come with shims and spacers some of that can be adjusted out but it still may not be enough for some. Do yourself a favor and go to your local gun store and shoulder a Beretta A400 or a Browning Maxus and look down the barrel. For me I really have to work to make the rib disappear so all I see is the bead/hiviz sight. On a Benelli, Remington Versa Max or, like what I'll be replacing my 870 with here soon, a Winchester SX3, once shouldered, it puts the rib right where it needs to be. And before anyone tells me that the SX3 and the Maxus are basically the same gun (and they are), the SX3 has a gradual step and the browning does not. Here's an example of the difference:

Beretta A400 (non stepped)

Benelli M2 (stepped)

December 23, 2012, 12:28 AM	#1
rcase1234 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 407	Step rib? What is a step rib and what are some pros and cons of them? Just was reading about them and now I'm curious. Happy holidays everyone!

March 3, 2013, 08:38 AM	#7
nmbrinkman Member Join Date: May 30, 2012 Posts: 40	Step rib? I personally love the stepped rib. It's not super tall like a skeet model. Just slightly raised maybe 1/8"-1/4" I believe. It all depends you. I really have to jam my cheek into my 870 to get a good look down the rib. I'm sure with shotguns that come with shims and spacers some of that can be adjusted out but it still may not be enough for some. Do yourself a favor and go to your local gun store and shoulder a Beretta A400 or a Browning Maxus and look down the barrel. For me I really have to work to make the rib disappear so all I see is the bead/hiviz sight. On a Benelli, Remington Versa Max or, like what I'll be replacing my 870 with here soon, a Winchester SX3, once shouldered, it puts the rib right where it needs to be. And before anyone tells me that the SX3 and the Maxus are basically the same gun (and they are), the SX3 has a gradual step and the browning does not. Here's an example of the difference: Beretta A400 (non stepped) Benelli M2 (stepped)

December 23, 2012, 10:29 AM	#2
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	AFAIK, step ribs are usually used on Trap-shooting guns, to give a higher line-of-sight for those shooters that prefer to shoot with a "heads up" position. .

December 23, 2012, 06:36 PM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	With a higher rib, there is less barrel interfering with your field of vision on raising targets. This results in faster target acquisition and higher scores. One of the surest ways of missing a target is to lose it under your barrel. When a target gets under your barrel, the natural tendency is to raise your head to get a better look (typically subconsciously) and you shoot over the target. A raised rib can help prevent this by reducing your blind spot a little.

December 31, 2012, 02:32 AM	#4
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Not to sure what you mean by a step rib. Do you mean a raised rib? If you do, they were found to let the shooter keep his or her head in an upright position lessening the stress on the neck when shooting 16 yard targets all day.

December 31, 2012, 10:53 AM	#5
rcase1234 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 407	That is what I mean olddrum. Does anyone know how a raised rib is for duck hunting? Like I mean is it good for waterfowl? Happy new year everyone

January 2, 2013, 01:11 AM	#6
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Nope, would not use for duck hunting.