Hello,

This is my first post. Name is Ken Potter, I live in SW PA, age 66 and have been shooting since 1957. I am about to order a CPA Schuetzen and thought that I would ask if anyone might have any suggestions.
The caliber would be 32-40, Badger 28" barrel, Unertl scope bases, and
the Pope stock and buttplate. Not sure of barrel weight. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Ken

NRA Life
SW PA

Ray,

How heavy is that CPA that you find a bit too heavy for offhand?  I too am thinking about ordering a CPA, and that is a concern of mine as well.

Paul

I would think that a lot of these questions are good ones for Gail or Paul at CPA. They should be able to tell you if the buttplate fits an average size guy OK and should be able to tell you the weight of the completed rifle with about any size barrel. 
Just for Info. In "the day" a 12 or 13 pound rifle was considered about right. That would mean a 4 weight barrel usually.

Ken41, the rest of the information needed to make useful comments about your question concerns the use to which you wish to put this rifle.  If you only plan to do formal Schuetzen-style shooting, the Pope or Schoyen style stocks are adapted well to this (if they fit your particular frame size, as previously noted.)  If you will be shooting off bags, plinking, hunting, or in short anything other than schuetzen, this specialized type of stock may not provide you with the most utility.  Perhaps a less radical shape might serve you better.  There was a pistol grip sporter (with or without) cheek rest) made by most contemporary rifle companies and with what was called the "small Swiss" buttplate it provided a good all-around service.

Froggie

And Paul & Gail can put a Ron Smith (RKS) gain twist barrel on that CPA 44 1/2 for you to make a really great rifle. I am also partial to the case colored actions and of course you can also get Paul to pick you out and fit some very nice extra fancy or exhibition wood too.

I concur the Shuttlworths provide very good service.

I agree with everything these other CPA owners/shooters have said, one item that is not well known is that for a very small fee you can have any serial number that has not been used by CPA on your rifle, I have two of their fine rifles and have my initials and some numbers as the serial number on them - this for me makes it really a custom rifle. 

Finally go up and discuss your rifle with Paul and Gail, an extra unfinished butt stock is not very expensive when ordered with the rifle and provides alternate uses, just set up your visit with them in advance as they are not always available for visits/in-person orders  
MIKE-T

Good advise is overflowing here.

That said I'll toss my comments in to the mix and really confuse you. I own 2 CPA's. They're great rifles. One is in the standard silhouette configuration which is fine for most applications. Offhand or Bench. My other one is a type #52 stock with Stevens 2 pronged buttplate .32-40, #3 weight, 30" barrel. Weight is about 11.75 lbs. If you are an average sized man I would not go smaller than this in weight. 

In offhand shooting, If the pace of your fire is quick heavier guns will fatigue you faster. Something to consider. 

Customer service is second to none! Good luck and let us know what you decide on.

Bruce

Can only comment on offhand stocked rifles. My Pope style CPA has two # 4 barrels, one .22 rimfire the other 32/40.  To me It's just right for offhand, It weighs more than any rifle I have ever owned. Past a 12 lb Silouette rifle was the max.  With scope the CPA weighs in at about 14 lbs. I would not want it to be heavier but do think the weight improves my offhand hold.  Sometimes I will shoot a entire Hudson match in one day. It does wear you out. Lighter could probably be better but best of all would be to slow down and take two to three days to shoot the match keeping the rifle weight.

On offhand weight it's not so much total weight but how it hangs. The large Pope buttstock and prong plate need some barrel weight to compensate.  If the barrel was lighter I am not sure that butt would  be the one to have, Also consider Scope weight. Unertils and the like are heavy compared to a modern scope.  

For example my older CPA was origionaly BPCS stocked with a # 4 38/55 barrel. It was just right for that match which is 3/4 prone but for the chicken bank offhand I thought it was muzzle heavy. Or perhaps did not have enough buttplate to compensate for the barrel weight.  Switched it's buttstock to a Stevens 52 style with prong plate and it's a different rifle. Weight is about the same but hang is right for offhand now.

When Paul set the Pope style rifle up for me I took his advice completly.  I have other offhand rifles but none as extreme in stock and style as that high comb.  You have to get used to the positon, it can only be held one way.  I say that's good for scoring.

Boats