Hi Daryl.

I am not sure what you mean "Was the heel position ordered due to fit".
It's a very large butt plate (over 5" tall and 2 3/8" wide) and it has a long heel return. It's just a style I like from the English tradition of the day. It really spreads the recoil out, and with a heavy charge, it is still pleasant to fire.

I hunt with my flinter. It's a Christian Springs "Transitional rifle (American Jaeger) and i love the way it handles and feels. They look a lot different then the English stalking rifles, but they feel the same way for the same reasons. Tall wide flat butts, balanced just 2-3 inches in front of the lock, very fast to the shoulder and very accurate. Just 100 years earlier, but a well made rifle is going to have the same features if it's going to handle the same way regardless of age. People are still people. Technology changes, but our bodies are still human.

Solomon said "there's nothing new under the sun"
I believe he's right.
Happy hunting.
Steve