Nerve damage from recoil?

Recoil is something we all have to deal with.

10 ga right on through to 12 ga slugs.

They are brutal. I've come home from the range,( but never from hunting), with bruises on my shoulder and realized that I should wear a medium weight jacket, or at least a 1\4" of padding to distribute energy transfer to the shoulder.

I dont think it can cause long term nerve damage, cause I've had no problems yet.

I am a gun nut after all, so I may have some long term brain damage:runaway: after all the recoil I've suffered from;)
 
I've had the "nerve tingle" right down to my finger tips before. Only gun that did it was a .416 Remington magnum, even the Weatherby .460's don't boot as hard as that rifle did!

I don't think it's permanent damage though, I would think it is the same thing as striking your funny bone (which is actually a nerve in your elbow).

I can also tell you that us bigger guys usually bruise more from recoil, smaller lighter guys seem to transfer the recoil to their bones easier, but with bigger people the recoil gets absorbed through more soft tissue first.
 
I actually got the tingly/pinchy feeling in my whole arm one time after shooting a 3" turkey load out of one of my shotguns. I can remember which one but I do recall realizing immediatly after firing that I held it wrong.
 
drvrage said:
"...Detached retinas and concussions are both possible and might i even say likely with even a little shooting.

Nerve dammage in the arms is possible but unlikely. Unless there is significant bruising (does he use padded shoulders) nerves are unlikely to take dammage. Nerves are generally killed by constant vibration (like powertools all the time i.e jackhammer) or by physical tearing/crushing..."
Click to expand...

You left out "...I'm not a doctor, although I do play one in online discussion forums...".

[joke]

:cool:
 
Shrek said:
I don't think it's permanent damage though, I would think it is the same thing as striking your funny bone (which is actually a nerve in your elbow).
Click to expand...

Some years ago I was tightening a bolt with a 3/4" drive ratchet pulling all I was good for when the socket broke and by elbow impacted a piece of steel with great enthusiasm. My Little finger and the ring finger of my left hand went dead immediately and feeling did not return for nearly a year. While not permanent, I don't recommend it.

If shooting a rifle or shotgun with severe recoil is important to you, then shoot from positions that minimize the impact to your body, or some sort of recoil reduction needs to be employed. I often say that recoil within reason can be and should be ignored, but if recoil is so severe that it threatens serious injury, that is not within reason. A boxer can withstand punishment for a long period of time, but sooner or later a serious injury will result, and so it is with a shooter of guns with extreme recoil.
 
338 win mag is the hardest hitting gun I have shot. I have shot 12 gauge 3 1/2inch mags but I don't feel it pounds back as hard as a high powered rifle. More like a real heavy push and not that concentrated snap of a high powered rifle. Just my opinion though and shoulder is sore all the same.
 
I'm your typical Northern Ontario man at the height of 5 foot nothing (5' 6") and can admit that 12 gauge 3.5" shells intimidate me a little. I couldn't imagine shooting a short barreled 3.5" 10 gauge. Forget nerve damage, I think that gun would brake me
 
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