A flinch can be a difficult thing to self-analyze.
Best to do with another person that is an accomplished shooter, helping you.
First, have them load the rifle for you each time you go to shoot it. From time to time, they can not load a round in the chamber and can watch you for your body reactions/actions as you squeeze of the shot. Without an actual round firing and the physical recoil of the firearm causing your body to react, they will be able to see your actual reactions to the anticipated recoil.
Once identified as to how you respond to the anticipated recoil, they can assist in the proper remedies you can work on to work through your flinch.
Also, many people flinch as much from the noise of a firearm as they do from the recoil. (I know that this is my issue). Wearing ear plugs and ear muffs cuts down the amount of noise you are subjected to and will help. Using hearing protection such as Walker's Game Ears will protect your hearing when shooting, but still allow you to hear everything else, when hunting. Using firearms that are not magna-ported or muzzle-braked will also cut down on the noise factor. Shorter barrels can affect shooters as well as the muzzle blast is that much closer to you (i.e. shooting a 16" barrelled firearm vs a 26" or 30" barrelled firearm).
Recoil is a subjective thing, and no two people experience it quite in the same manner. They say the average person can tolerate the recoil of an 8 lb rifle in 30-06 shooting 180 gr bullets. Your tolerance level may be less than this.
Other factors that can affect the shooter and cause a flinch are:
Caliber and/or cartridge - obviously larger calibers with heavier bullets and larger powder charges will have more recoil;
Rifle weight - lightweight rifles can produce more felt recoil;
Stock configuration - different body types are subjected to different levels of recoil by the various stock configurations. Perhaps you would be better off with a classic stock than a monte carlo stock (or vice-versa); and
Recoil pads - different styles of butt pads and their respective materials will vary the felt recoil of a firearm. You may need to replace that metal, plastic or hard rubber butt pad with a soft rubber recoil absorbing pad such as the Decelerator or LimbSaver.
Hope this info helps you.
If it is a flinch, it is not the end of the world and you can work through it.
If it is caused by your rifle, then it can be altered to remedy the issue.
Best of luck!
Best to do with another person that is an accomplished shooter, helping you.
First, have them load the rifle for you each time you go to shoot it. From time to time, they can not load a round in the chamber and can watch you for your body reactions/actions as you squeeze of the shot. Without an actual round firing and the physical recoil of the firearm causing your body to react, they will be able to see your actual reactions to the anticipated recoil.
Once identified as to how you respond to the anticipated recoil, they can assist in the proper remedies you can work on to work through your flinch.
Also, many people flinch as much from the noise of a firearm as they do from the recoil. (I know that this is my issue). Wearing ear plugs and ear muffs cuts down the amount of noise you are subjected to and will help. Using hearing protection such as Walker's Game Ears will protect your hearing when shooting, but still allow you to hear everything else, when hunting. Using firearms that are not magna-ported or muzzle-braked will also cut down on the noise factor. Shorter barrels can affect shooters as well as the muzzle blast is that much closer to you (i.e. shooting a 16" barrelled firearm vs a 26" or 30" barrelled firearm).
Recoil is a subjective thing, and no two people experience it quite in the same manner. They say the average person can tolerate the recoil of an 8 lb rifle in 30-06 shooting 180 gr bullets. Your tolerance level may be less than this.
Other factors that can affect the shooter and cause a flinch are:
Caliber and/or cartridge - obviously larger calibers with heavier bullets and larger powder charges will have more recoil;
Rifle weight - lightweight rifles can produce more felt recoil;
Stock configuration - different body types are subjected to different levels of recoil by the various stock configurations. Perhaps you would be better off with a classic stock than a monte carlo stock (or vice-versa); and
Recoil pads - different styles of butt pads and their respective materials will vary the felt recoil of a firearm. You may need to replace that metal, plastic or hard rubber butt pad with a soft rubber recoil absorbing pad such as the Decelerator or LimbSaver.
Hope this info helps you.
If it is a flinch, it is not the end of the world and you can work through it.
If it is caused by your rifle, then it can be altered to remedy the issue.
Best of luck!
