Through fitting with a special try-gun, Dale Tate can establish a shooter’s exact gun measurements--primarily the length, drop, cast and pitch of the buttstock--and verify those dimensions on the patterning board and with clay targets. Then, as a master gunmaker, he can alter the shooter’s gun to exactly those custom dimensions.

If necessary, Dale bends gunstocks, to alter the cast or the height of the comb, by the traditional English hot-oil method. He can also shorten a stock or lengthen it with perfectly fitted inserts or recoil pads. He can also adjust the comb angle and thickness and the pitch of the butt, and even add or remove a pistol grip.

Then, when the shooter has a truly custom-fitted shotgun, Dale can teach him or her to get the most out of the “new” gun with techniques to improve comfort and accuracy (and safety) in the field and on clay targets. Proper gun fit and correct shooting techniques produce a dramatic improvement not only in score but also in personal satisfaction and enjoyment.