Shouldering Technique Advice Sought

[Coltdriver]

If any of you seasoned big bore shooters have any suggestions on technique when shouldering a big bore rifle I would appreciate hearing them.

Any description of what you do to manage the recoil would be appreciated.

Its interesting that with a small rifle, like a .22, you just mount the rifle for best view and a steady aim and shoot.

As the recoil goes up with a larger caliber one becomes more aware of a need to affirmatively manage the rifle.

With the big bore rifles I am hoping that there is some technique involved in getting the most out of the rifle and ones shoulder.

Thanks in advance.

[Questor]

I am in the habit of shouldering my rifle with enough clearance so that the rubber recoil pad doesn't hang up in my clothing, then I make sure that the rifle is firmly in the right place on my shoulder. I also never lean against anything in such a way that the recoil will push me into it, thereby breaking some of my bones.  That's about all there is to it, except one more thing: I like a rifle to shoulder as easily and as naturally as a good shotgun, so that when it comes up, the sights are aligned.

[DanP]

I've noticed that if I put the rifle on the butt on the ball of my joint that it makes my arm tingle.  I suspect that means I am damaging my nerves.  
 
Instead, I have found that my .458 win (a Ruger #1H -- which seems to have a reputation as a kicker)  is actually pleasant to shoot compared to my .375H&H (a Remington Classic that is too light -- even with mercury recoil suppresser) IF I put the rifle butt just below my collar bone and on my chest just inside the ball of my shoulder joint (what I've seen described as the "pocket").  I also shoot from a more open position -- that is, facing more towards my target than I had the habit of doing when target shooting (ie with my toes on the line drawn to the target -- essentially 90 degrees from the target).  Still need to keep the left arm UNDER the rifle, otherwise you'll be muscling the gun which can reduce accuracy.
 
Dan

[crow_feather]

Right handed shooter
45% to target
left hand palm up, left elbow and rear of left arm against ribs
right arm, elbow up high (important) and but pad in shoulder pocket to the left of shoulder joint

It is physically impossible to make eye contact with the scope

My two pennies

C F

[Ramrod]

For me, the two main points are a firm grip on the forearm, and being in a position to roll with the kick. I hold and shoot bigbores much more like shotguns, than light kicking deer or target rifles.

[Lawdog]

For me, the two main points are a firm grip on the forearm, and being in a position to roll with the kick. I hold and shoot bigbores much more like shotguns, than light kicking deer or target rifles.

The only thing that I would add to 'Ramrod's' statement is the better the stock fits you the less recoil you are going to feel and the easier you will find the sights.  After that the key is practice, practice, practice.  Lawdog
 

[DanP]

A couple more tweaks to what I'd said...

The 45 degree angle is about right -- any more "open" and you won't be able to get your left arm under the rifle.

Allowing your elbow/upper arm to rest against your chest gives you direct skeletal support from your arm to the ground (you don't want to muscle the gun).  It will feel like you have twisted your elbow forward in order to get it to line up UNDER the gun; you don't want it off on an angle or you'll be muscling the gun rather than using your skeleton.  With practice, this tends to be far more accurate than supporting the gun with your arm held out in front of you.  Wrist should be straight.  How you support the rifle (flat hand facing forward,thumb down, or on your fingers and thumb with fingers forward, thumb back, or with your fingers bent back, or even resting the rifle in the soft webbing between your palm and thumb, either palm forward or backward -- there are all sorts of positions that will give your rifle slightly different elevations, but your wrist should be straight).  In any case, your point of support will be much closer to the action than you may be used to if you hold this way.

Lifting your right arm will raise the rear end of the rifle.  If you don't, you will likely lower your head to meet the sights/scope.  Raise your right elbow as high as you need to to get your eye lined with the sight/scope without creeping up the stock (otherwise you can get hit in the face -- though getting hit is much harder to do shooting in the 45 degree open position).

This leaves your right arm to pull the rifle into your shoulder (you don't want it loose).  You have to do this while maintaining good trigger control.

Dan

[Savage .250]

Shoot that big bore at the range.........recoil is ever present.
  Shoot that big bore at something( preferable at a deer, hog, what ever)
  and you don`t feel a thing. Funny isn`t  it? Adrenaline, created by the moment, does it every time.
 
" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

[redial]

DanP beat me to it, position-wise.

I'm primarily a position (target) shooter and was just about ready to sell my McBros 50 from the walloping I got each time it went BOOM.

My "target" manners were decidedly wrong for this, it seems. The problem wasn't the force of the recoil since its speed is comparitively slow compared to a 300 Mag or similar. The problem was the long travel backward in recoil before it came to a rest. As a result, all the "takeup" in my position was used up before it quit coming back and I ended up facing the comb at about 90 degrees. It'd just about twist my jaw off my skull. Unpleasant.

The solution was as DanP described - get it farther out toward my shoulder joint and rotate my shoulder forward before firing. MUCH mo' betta. That gives it more room to travel aft before bad things start happening. A good grip on the forestock helped too.

Sorry for the length!

Redial

[DanP]

Glad it helped!!

Dan

[Coltdriver]

Just a quick note to say thanks for the suggestions.

There are some valuable pointers here which I have not tried.  I was getting "touched" by the scope on my forehead but not enough to make a red mark.  It was scary however!

I will definitely give some of the form recommended here a try and let you know how it works.

[Lawdog]

Just a quick note to say thanks for the suggestions.

There are some valuable pointers here which I have not tried.  I was getting "touched" by the scope on my forehead but not enough to make a red mark.  It was scary however!

I will definitely give some of the form recommended here a try and let you know how it works.

You never did state the make, model, caliber and scope of the set up you have.  May I ask what your set up is?   :?:   Lawdog
 

[jro45]

I hold my 338 RUM without brake and my 416 Rem and my 375 H&H firmly
into my shoulder pocket when standing and shooting. All these just give you a shove the [ 416 pushes] but don't hurt.

[Coltdriver]

I have a stainless Encore with an 18" ported barrel in 450 Marlin.  T/C calls the barrel a Katahdin barrel.  It has a Leupold 1-4 X 20 VX II Scope.  The plastic stock has a limbsaver pad mounted.  

Between the porting and the limbsaver it is manageable.  I can't imagine shooting a .450 class bullet in a hunting load from a non padded stock!  This configuration is fairly light and compact so I thought that getting the last ounce out of technique might make it a bit more tolerable.

[Nazgul4570]

Lowering  your arm from the straight out position bunches the muscle under the butt of the rifle.  Put your fist where the rifle rests on your shoulder and move your arm you can feel what I mean.  I do this for my 458 WM and it helps.