Recoil...shyness??

[turkeyeye]

I know that this isn't specifically related to handi-rifles, but I enjoy the comments of people on this page.  I have been noticing that free-hand shooting with a 22lr, I can hit a can about every other shot at 100 yards.  I can then pick up one of my centerfires and be lucky to hit the can one time out of five shots.  This tells me that I am flinching because of recoil.  However, I am not physically bothered by it I don't think, because I will shoot any gun that is put before me "once".  I pattern 3.5" turkey loads every year, and have owned a 375 H&H.  My problem has to be mental.  I own 280, 30-06, 7mm mag, and 45-70. 

My question is what do you all think would help me to improve.  Lots of shooting, or maybe smaller caliber rifle.  I wouldn't want to go any lower than 243.  It may just be the blast more so than the recoil.  What do you think??

[quickdtoo]

One technique to determine if you are indeed flinching is to have someone else load your rifle out of your sight so you don't know if it's loaded or not, one pull of the trigger on an empty chamber will reveal a flinch without any doubt.

There are numerous writings on curing the flinch, here are a couple.

Tim

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/gun_columns/notes/0702/

http://www.corneredcat.com/Basics/flinch.aspx

[cwlongshot]

Sims Product labs, LIMBSAVER RECOIL PAD. I have one on EVERY large caliber rifle I own.

That and if its a target only rifle WEIGHT. You can odd it to the butt stock.

CW

[turkeyeye]

Quick,

   After reading that guns and ammo article it is obvious.  I am 25 and have been shooting 3.5" turkey loads since I was 13 or so, back when Mossberg pump was all that you could get a 3.5" in.  Well those things hurt and I dread shooting them, sounds like I have a long road of correction to go.  I need to go stock up on 22lr.

[safetysheriff]

i recommend that you pull the rifle TIGHTLY to your shoulder to reduce its 'getting a run' at your shoulder and making you and the scope, etc.etc. feel the recoil.   a tightly-held rifle seems to kick a lot less to me, and it's probably easier on the rings, scope, and the base.    at a bench shoot a rifle in  a relatively straight-up sitting position.   if you lean over too much the recoil is felt more.         

with a revolver i load only 2 or 3 chambers out of a cylinder, so i'm not pulling a trigger on a live round every time, with my .44 mag's.   i give the cylinder a spin between loading the rounds ... and then again when starting to shoot.   it helps me beat the flinch so far.   it's the best way i know to do it with a heavy-duty load in a hunting caliber.   

remember one more thing, please: if you weren't hurt by a shotgun with 3" or larger magnums, then a rifle won't hurt you either.

take care,

ss'   

[goodwrench6710]

It's about breathing too. Take a breath and when about half way on the exhale take your shot. This helped me alot. Wear hearing protection too! If it's the noise, a smaller caliper won't help. My 22-250 is louder than my 270.

[statelinerut]

I agree goodwrench. Muzzle blast can be a bigger problem than recoil. Good ear protection can make a huge difference.

[quickdtoo]

There's no doubt lack of hearing protection is a big contributor to flinching, but if you're not using good hearing protection in the first place, you're subjecting yourself to a lot more than just a temporary problem with the recoil, hearing damage is permanent, each shot destroys and is irreversible, even the little 22Lr has a  report of 134Db, hearing destruction starts at 85-90Db.  And that applies to us while hunting as well as at the range.

Tim

http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?id=2052

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,114537.msg1098363467.html#msg1098363467

[snmann]

A friend of mine gave me this tip when I bought a 300 WSM.  Buy some of those little foam ear plugs.  Put those in before you put your earmuffs on.   It makes a huge difference.

[goodwrench6710]

It seems to me the breathing technique helps alot too. You have to be relaxed on the exhale to make a good shot. I used to hold my breath, thats the wrong thing to do. But as I said in my post before, hearing protection is a must if it's the muzzle blast. Wear eye protection too. I've had 22 shells burst the casings & thats no fun at all.

[Dusty Wheeler]

I vote for good hearing protection!  20 years of police firearms training, mostly without hearing protection, has damaged my hearing.  I REALLY enjoy subsonic .22 LR and "quiet" centerfires.

[Mac11700]

I know that this isn't specifically related to handi-rifles, but I enjoy the comments of people on this page.  I have been noticing that free-hand shooting with a 22lr, I can hit a can about every other shot at 100 yards.  I can then pick up one of my centerfires and be lucky to hit the can one time out of five shots.  This tells me that I am flinching because of recoil.  However, I am not physically bothered by it I don't think, because I will shoot any gun that is put before me "once".  I pattern 3.5" turkey loads every year, and have owned a 375 H&H.  My problem has to be mental.  I own 280, 30-06, 7mm mag, and 45-70. 

My question is what do you all think would help me to improve.  Lots of shooting, or maybe smaller caliber rifle.  I wouldn't want to go any lower than 243.  It may just be the blast more so than the recoil.  What do you think??

Hearing protection...this is a must...There are many different grades of ear plugs...get the highest decibel reduction ones you can buy..and insert them properly...Many don't put them in correctly..and as a result do not get the full noise reduction benefit...and hearing damage and flinching  will result..

A comfortable shooting position...I had my youngest shooting from a awkward height last week and one of his ear plugs became loose in his ear....and he started to flinch..I corrected both as soon as I saw him flinch and he proceeded to shoot extremely well...http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,122515.0.html...being hunched over shooting a ill fitting gun..or even one that is fitted correctly will induce pain and cause you to flinch...Sit as upright and comfortably as you can when shooting from the bench...this allows your body to be pushed rearward better and absorb the recoil more efficiently...The name of the game is to be comfortable...if your not...pain will result from it..

A well fitted stock...Many folks have ill fitting stocks and flinch because of it...they can either be too long...or too short...They can have a too high of comb..or one that is too low...Being too high...you have to reduce the comb height...being too low...you have to raise it...same for the too long...or the too short...either add or remove the needed length...If the gun is causing any pain on shooting it...the first place that gets hit is your face...Add a soft cheek piece to it and see if this helps...A uncle Mikes shell holder on the stock with some soft foam rubber under it will eliminate any face slap...As it has already been said...adding a Limb Saver recoil pad to it will reduce the pain in your shoulder as well...but won't eliminate it if the stock doesn't fit you... You may have high bone structures in your collar bone area that a good recoil pad doesn't correct...then you may have to invest in some sew in recoil shields..or a strap on shoulder pad to eliminate the problem...Remember...if you do have to add and additional padding...the stock dimensions will be different...If the stock was too short before...it may fit better...if it was too long before...it will have to be shortened..

You need to really determine why your flinching...then correct what is needed..Once you find the cause and there may be more than 1 thing contributing to your flinching...then you have to re train your subconscious that the pain is gone and it is no longer necessary to flinch...Flinching is a sub conscious avoidance response to pain... The longer you let it go...the harder it will be to over come...

Mac

[choctaw]

All of the above.  The cool thing is that you realize there may be a problem.  Maybe you should leave the firearms with loud muzzle blasts and heavy recoil at home for awhile.  As has already been alluded to, shooting your 22 might work wonders.  Concentrate on your technique as you shoot.  But also be on the look out for symptoms of flinching.

But if you must shoot those bad boys, then limit your sessions with them for awhile.  I love my old Mosin M44 carbine, but its not a plinker, that's for sure.  I make sure its on target, then I'm done until its time to kill a pig.

 

[snmann]

I am 35 & have hearing damage in my left ear.  It is from shooting my .22 as a kid.  I lived in the country & I put thousands of rounds through the old Marlin. At that time nobody used hearing protection.  On a right handed shooter, the left ear is exposed to more muzzle noise.  When I target shoot big game caliber rifles or pistols, I double up with ear muffs & foam ear protection.  Otherwise I use the best ear muffs money can buy solo.  I have recently started using electronic protection when I am out hunting.  I can't believe I didn't do this sooner.  I have to laugh when I see someone drive to the range in a $40,000 SUV and put on $.02 ear protection.



 

[buckslugger]

HUH,, WHAT DID YOU SAY ??

[ironglow]

  Hey Mudslugger;
 
   " Huh ...what did you say?"

   Being a blacksmith, I thought that was the favorite expression of the old blacksmiths....LOL

                                                                ....Ironglow