How to choose the height of cheek riser

Getting your cheek rest at the right height makes shooting more comfortable and helps you aim better, especially if you’re using a scope. Here’s an easy way to work out what height you need:

In short:
Hold your rifle like you’re about to shoot, close your eyes, and then open them to see where your eye sits compared to the scope.  Measure how much you need to raise your cheek to get perfect alignment, then pick a cheek rest riser (fixed or adjustable) that matches. This helps you stay comfortable and shoot more accurately

Step-by-Step Guide

  • Get into your normal shooting position: Hold your rifle like you’re about to shoot. Close your eyes so you relax and don’t automatically adjust your head to look through the scope.
  • Open your eyes: When you open them, check if your eye lines up with the middle of your scope or sights. If it doesn’t, notice if your eye is too low or too high.
  • Measure the gap: Figure out how much higher (or lower) your cheek needs to be so your eye lines up with the scope. You can use a ruler, stack up some foam, or even use tape and a marker to estimate the gap.
  • Test with temporary stuff: Before buying anything, try building up the stock with foam pads, folded towels, or anything soft and stackable. Keep adjusting and checking until your eye naturally lines up when you open your eyes. Measure how much you added—this is the riser height you need.
  • Pick your riser: Once you know the height (usually between 13mm and 18mm for scoped rifles), get a riser that matches. Adjustable risers are handy if you might change scopes or want to fine-tune the fit later.

Extra Tips

  • Consistency matters: The goal is to get your cheek in the same spot every time so your eye always lines up with the scope.
  • Consider your setup: The type of rifle, the stock shape, and how high your scope is all affect what riser height you’ll need. Higher scopes usually need taller risers.
  • Double-check: After you install the riser, get back into your shooting position and make sure it still feels right and your eye lines up perfectly.

Quick Summary Table

Step

What to Do

Shoulder rifle, close eyes

Get comfy and relaxed in your shooting position

Open eyes

Check if your eye lines up with the scope

Measure gap

Use a ruler or foam to estimate needed height

Test with temporary riser

Build up height and check alignment

Choose riser

Pick a riser that matches your measured height

Confirm fit

Install and check comfort and alignment