thauglor wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 5:12 pm Tony,

Here is the picture of Karen, looks very similar to today's stocks except for the deeper belly

Screenshot_20251231_160302_Drive.jpg

Excellent photo! Thank you for sharing. I agree that when viewed in the light of today's rules, the belly of that stock is probably deeper than the current rules would allow. The cheekpiece may be higher than the bore centerline as well.

The other feature that's interesting to note is how low the scope is mounted in comparison to the barrel and receiver, presumably to allow proper head alignment based on her hold and physique.

She was/is obviously a well qualified shooter, being on the US Army Marksmanship Team. Shooting a .308 through the course of silhouette matches was probably no small feat for a smaller framed woman. Impressive performance to say the least. Imagine how effective she would have been with a .260 Rem or more modern 6.5mm package.

Just spitballing here, but if the scope was mounted higher, and the belly of the stock had been raised, the whole package might fit inside the current rules. Of course, lowering the rifle in her hold and raising the centerline of the scope would then result in changing her head position. She appears to be of a fairly slight build, so probably doesn't have the "Big Ole Head and cheeks" that many of us are blessed with. Having a more slender build and smaller face calls for less distance between the top of the stock comb and the centerline of the scope.

In any event, thank you for sharing this snapshot of history.

Steve.

If we compare the picture of Karen's stock with what is used today almost 50 years later we wouldn't be surprised, although back in the early 70's most of us were competing with factory looking hunting stocks and Karen's in the opinion of more than a few had no place in the sport of HP rifle silhouette. What you are seeing is after her stock had been modified twice trying to make it legal, so we have to assume the stock's measurements were a bit more radical.
If you see pictures of the stocks some of the shooters use in Mexico, Karen's stock looks tame. They have their own rules and basically no measurements to follow, only the stock's for end has to be no larger than the bottom of the trigger guard. Plus they have another two pounds to play with in the HP rifles. By the way they only have one rifle class so no hunting rifle class. The SB is same as ours 10 lbs 2 oz.