Maybe some of us got older and smarter. Same with ear protection. For the first 20 years I shot rifles ear plugs never even occurred to me. Neither did recoil pads. But at 33 with permanent tinnitus already, I started wearing plugs or muffs or both. My first rifles didn't even have recoil pads, but as I got one or two more rifles starting with a Mosin-Nagant I got a slip-on pad for sighting in at least.
I love the little reasoning's.
'I got the slip on pad for sighting it in...that's all...'( Myself; I do use a
GOOD shooting jacket, til I realise..."
It still don't kick that much...)
'The old eye's just ain't what they used to be... had to get a Luepold scope'
I weight 162 lbs dressed. Can't read a book with my glasses on ( eyes still settling down...like a 6.5 x 53 at 150 yds...not stable yet...once it is, then surgery). About half deaf too; hearing enhancers here for sure...who care's?
I still shoot irons pretty good. Good iron's mind you; rear peep.
And I'm lucky that I've never torn up my shoulders. One aft I hammered 80 rounds STAT through an M44 to see how bad it was...it wasn't. Little freckling the next day, learn how to shoot practically...standing, or seated.
Not that there is anything wrong with a 243 or 308; my dad's main gun was a HB Remington 700 in 243 and my Grampa's was a Savage 99 in 308...you know I respect them. Enjoy your Black rifle or 20 lb 6.5 CRM to the fullest.
But please; just say
"No thanks, not for me...kicks too much " not
" I'm smarter now, not like you."
It's OK to realize it's too much. Just don't make excuses..excuses are... well... excuses. Just say it how it is, majority here will not even react.
Ready?
"I; Tokguy, really don't want shoot a 44 magnum handgun or a 50 BMG bolt action, they kick too much for me most likely"
See how easy that is?
No excuses or calling other folks dumb because I like different things than you.
It's a fun post; roll with it.
You like Golf, I box... you shoot paper at 1000 yds, cool...I can't do that with my 8 x 57. But I can ring plates at 100 yards offhand with it, cool...enjoy what you do.
Don't worry about it so much that you get Butthurt...tease me, if you make it know you are just poking fun, I'll respond in kind.
Call me Dumb, well...I'll respond in kind too.
Stay safe
Tokguy