Benelli LOP too long?

Ac1d0v3r1d3 · March 23, 2011, 06:19 PM

Howdy
So I have recently acquired a Benelli Nova in 12 gauge with ghost ring sights. Previously I have shot the heck out of my Mossberg Maverick 88 and had no problems shooting it comfortably, quickly and accurately.
The problem I am having is that when I shoot my new benelli I get a bruise on my shoulder and obviously it hurts quite a bit. This may be caused by my excessive use of 3 1/2" goose loads. But I don't believe that is the problem. I'm making a conscience effort to hold the butt against my shoulder tightly.
Could LOP be an issue?
Am I just a sissy?
Might it be that the ghost ring sights cause me to hold the gun in a different way?
The butt pad on the shotgun is removable, so I can mess with LOP, but butt pads cost money and if can avoid buying several it would be a good thing.
Is there a way I can figure the right LOP for myself?
What say you?

-Chris

zippy13 · March 23, 2011, 06:49 PM

If your new gun has an adjustable stock, try matching it to the stock of the gun that works for you. And, I don't know anyone who finds those 3 1/2" super mags a pleasure to shoot in a pump.

When it comes to stock fitting, it's best to be assisted by someone who knows what he's doing.

BigJimP · March 23, 2011, 07:06 PM

Its almost impossible to say unless we could see you mount the gun and shoot...but back off those goose loads.../especially if you're getting beat up.

Drop down to a 1oz target load ...depending on where you're shooting at / you can't alwasy shoot them indoors.

You need to ask the guys at the range where you shoot to give you some tips / it may be a mount issue / it may be the angles on your elbows - as part of the mount / you may be letting go of the grip on the gun as you pull the trigger / the comb angle could be wrong / length of pull might be wrong - but its usually the last big thing to check.

What's your experience level - how many shells have you put thru this shotgun ? Shells thru Shotguns in general ?

Ac1d0v3r1d3 · March 23, 2011, 07:18 PM

I don't have a ton of expierence, but I have put probably 12-1500 rounds through my old Mossberg, which seems smaller, lighter and points better for me.
The benelli I have put about 150 rounds through in the past week. 50 or so have been 3 1/2" shells. I also put about 25 or so rounds through my buddy's 20 gauge over under yesterday. It points and shoots great for me.
We hand throw clays and I can usually break them every time with his 20 or my old 12 gauge mossberg. The new benelli with ghost ring sights is another story.
I know that ghost rings obviously aren't the best for shooting clays, but it's the only functional shotgun I own currently and I want to become proficient with it since I want to use it for HD.
If I can I'll see about taking some pictures or myself mounting the gun next time I'm at the range.

A question I forgot to include in my first post. What are the symptoms of a short LOP? A long LOP?

Ac1d0v3r1d3 · April 2, 2011, 02:58 PM

UPDATE:
I just got my mossberg trigger group back in the mail (actually they sent me a brand new one)
So I put the mossberg back together and I set it next to the benellie. And I'm looking at the mossberg (which I love to shoot) and looking at the Benelli (which hurts) And it looks to me like the mossberg actually has a LONGER LOP then the benelli. So I'm going to try and fit a bigger recoil pad on the benelli and see how it shoots.

oneounceload · April 2, 2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

This may be caused by my excessive use of 3 1/2" goose loads

There's your problem

big al hunter · April 2, 2011, 10:37 PM

Those goose loads beat me up too, in my mossberg 835. My buddy got a benelli last fall. It has a Flex Tech stock on it. They advertise a 40 percent reduction in felt recoil. So I ordered my new TC Encore Pro Hunter 12 gauge with a Flex Tech stock. I can say from experience that it tames those 3 1/2 mags down to target 2 3/4, or darn close. It was a pleasure to shoot those 3 1/2's

Ac1d0v3r1d3 · April 3, 2011, 12:54 AM

Quote:

There's your problem

That may be the problem. I'm planning on shooting my mossberg and the new benelli side by side later this week and then I'll see what the problem is.

Will Beararms · April 3, 2011, 02:49 PM

Shorter butt pads for the Benelli Nova are available but scarce. The stock one pulls right off and the shorter version pops right in.
I would get the mercury recoil reduction system if you shoot 3.5's out of the Nova.

When you can find them, the Nova Gel Pad is insanely over priced----$120.00 plus for a rubber pad that pops in.

You might try eBay.

March 23, 2011, 06:19 PM	#1
Ac1d0v3r1d3 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2005 Location: Goldendale, Washington Posts: 439	Benelli LOP too long? Howdy So I have recently acquired a Benelli Nova in 12 gauge with ghost ring sights. Previously I have shot the heck out of my Mossberg Maverick 88 and had no problems shooting it comfortably, quickly and accurately. The problem I am having is that when I shoot my new benelli I get a bruise on my shoulder and obviously it hurts quite a bit. This may be caused by my excessive use of 3 1/2" goose loads. But I don't believe that is the problem. I'm making a conscience effort to hold the butt against my shoulder tightly. Could LOP be an issue? Am I just a sissy? Might it be that the ghost ring sights cause me to hold the gun in a different way? The butt pad on the shotgun is removable, so I can mess with LOP, but butt pads cost money and if can avoid buying several it would be a good thing. Is there a way I can figure the right LOP for myself? What say you? -Chris __________________ I aint the worlds best writer nor the best speller But when i believe in something i'm the loudest yeller. Woody Guthrie Last edited by Ac1d0v3r1d3; March 23, 2011 at 07:44 PM.

March 23, 2011, 07:18 PM	#4
Ac1d0v3r1d3 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2005 Location: Goldendale, Washington Posts: 439	I don't have a ton of expierence, but I have put probably 12-1500 rounds through my old Mossberg, which seems smaller, lighter and points better for me. The benelli I have put about 150 rounds through in the past week. 50 or so have been 3 1/2" shells. I also put about 25 or so rounds through my buddy's 20 gauge over under yesterday. It points and shoots great for me. We hand throw clays and I can usually break them every time with his 20 or my old 12 gauge mossberg. The new benelli with ghost ring sights is another story. I know that ghost rings obviously aren't the best for shooting clays, but it's the only functional shotgun I own currently and I want to become proficient with it since I want to use it for HD. If I can I'll see about taking some pictures or myself mounting the gun next time I'm at the range. A question I forgot to include in my first post. What are the symptoms of a short LOP? A long LOP? __________________ I aint the worlds best writer nor the best speller But when i believe in something i'm the loudest yeller. Woody Guthrie Last edited by Ac1d0v3r1d3; March 23, 2011 at 07:29 PM.

April 2, 2011, 02:58 PM	#5
Ac1d0v3r1d3 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2005 Location: Goldendale, Washington Posts: 439	Update UPDATE: I just got my mossberg trigger group back in the mail (actually they sent me a brand new one) So I put the mossberg back together and I set it next to the benellie. And I'm looking at the mossberg (which I love to shoot) and looking at the Benelli (which hurts) And it looks to me like the mossberg actually has a LONGER LOP then the benelli. So I'm going to try and fit a bigger recoil pad on the benelli and see how it shoots. __________________ I aint the worlds best writer nor the best speller But when i believe in something i'm the loudest yeller. Woody Guthrie

April 2, 2011, 10:37 PM	#7
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,558	Those goose loads beat me up too, in my mossberg 835. My buddy got a benelli last fall. It has a Flex Tech stock on it. They advertise a 40 percent reduction in felt recoil. So I ordered my new TC Encore Pro Hunter 12 gauge with a Flex Tech stock. I can say from experience that it tames those 3 1/2 mags down to target 2 3/4, or darn close. It was a pleasure to shoot those 3 1/2's __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!

April 3, 2011, 02:49 PM	#9
Will Beararms Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 2,834	Shorter butt pads for the Benelli Nova are available but scarce. The stock one pulls right off and the shorter version pops right in. I would get the mercury recoil reduction system if you shoot 3.5's out of the Nova. When you can find them, the Nova Gel Pad is insanely over priced----$120.00 plus for a rubber pad that pops in. You might try eBay. __________________ "Without a rifle you are nothing, worthless, you are waiting for death, any minute, any second." -- Aron Bielski

March 23, 2011, 06:49 PM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	If your new gun has an adjustable stock, try matching it to the stock of the gun that works for you. And, I don't know anyone who finds those 3 1/2" super mags a pleasure to shoot in a pump. When it comes to stock fitting, it's best to be assisted by someone who knows what he's doing.

March 23, 2011, 07:06 PM	#3
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Its almost impossible to say unless we could see you mount the gun and shoot...but back off those goose loads.../especially if you're getting beat up. Drop down to a 1oz target load ...depending on where you're shooting at / you can't alwasy shoot them indoors. You need to ask the guys at the range where you shoot to give you some tips / it may be a mount issue / it may be the angles on your elbows - as part of the mount / you may be letting go of the grip on the gun as you pull the trigger / the comb angle could be wrong / length of pull might be wrong - but its usually the last big thing to check. What's your experience level - how many shells have you put thru this shotgun ? Shells thru Shotguns in general ?