Recoil, or something else?

sillymike said:
Ever thought of getting better hearing protection?

As silly as it might sound, I've many instances where the impending noizes caused more flinch than the actual recoil.
At least that's how it worked with the wife and many of her female friend.
- They shoot 22lr handgun no problem, give them a 9mm or 45acp and they're all over the target.
- Get them to use ear plugs along with ear muff, and they'll shoot the 45 acp just as good as the 22lr.
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Good point!
 
I must be getting old, because even when out hunting I've gotten into the habit of either wearing electronic ear-muff or those Surefire plugs

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>ear protection

Personal choice, but I never shoot without good quality earplugs in. Between machine tools and loud engines I've done enough damage to my hearing already.

Sadly I missed my chance to pick up a Nacre Queitpro when the US was phasing them out. That would be the best of both worlds; hearing boosted to what it used to be, but with shot protection.

Now Honneywell has bought the line and nerfed it.
 
All good points mentioned above.

Not mentioned at all is that felt recoil is subjective to the individual (although personal past experience and flinching due to this past experienced pain or injury was mentioned).
Everyone feels it differently, and just because one is experienced or of larger stature has nothing to do with how they perceive it.
I know a small woman that handles the 375 H&H better than most men.

The LimbSaver recoil pads make a tremendous difference. I use them on all of my harder recoiling firearms and I have gone from 20 rounds of being bruised and sore to 60 rounds and no bruising, soreness or discomfort, even from the bench. The Decelerator work well too, but for the harder recoiling firearms, I recommend the LimbSaver.

Gun fit is going to be as, if not more, important than other factors for some. We are all built differently, and finding a shotgun that fits you, or adjusting the fit if possible, will also help. If you cannot fit the firearm to you, you may need to look at changing the firearm.

A light firearm is a joy to carrying the field all daylong, especially when distances or terrain get long and/or steep or more difficult. It does increase the amount of recoil you will be subjected to. Only you can determine what level of balance will work for you on gun weight and your particular circumstances.

The mention of ear plugs is also a big factor, as the noise makes many "flinch" as much or more than the actual recoil. If plugs do not seem to help, try plugs and muffs...you will usually notice a difference. I use this technique when teaching new shooters and youngsters to shoot. We want the experience to be pleasant so as to increase level of enjoyment and mitigate fear of shooting again.

Shooting position will also effect the perceived recoil...prone and from the bench are worst. Standing is usually best, with proper balance and shooting form, for aiding in reducing felt recoil, as the body can move easier during recoil and make it feel better.

How tight you hold your shotgun to your shoulder, and how rigid your body is can also exacerbate the felt recoil. Be relaxed with a firm, but not hard and rigid grip and body tension, will help. Just keep in mind that you must be able to maintain control during the shot process, and still be able to perform the necessary follow through.

Finding the right balance for you is going to decrease the felt recoil you are experiencing and increase your level of enjoyment and keep you out in the field hunting. Best of luck, I hope you are able to remedy this issue!
 
I doubt I have the proportions correct, and maybe they change for different people with different equipment, but I used to teach new shooters fairly regularly. My impression was that about a 1/3 of what they "perceived" as recoil was actually the noise of the round going off - hence, wear hearing protection - it makes the recoil seem less. Another big part, perhaps another 1/3, is poor fit or grip with stock - anticipating recoil - holding firearm away - off shoulder, face off comb - seems to all give the recoiling arm a "running start" to smack shooter in face and smack in shoulder - leading to thinking going to get bruised on next shot, which you will with that technique - so hold firmly - your upper body and head want to move with the fire arm - not to be hit by it. And, about a 1/3 is the physics - weight and velocity of bullet and gases leaving muzzle, cause firearm to accelerate rearward. Gotta hang on, and go for the ride. My 140 pound 6 foot son, when he was fourteen, could handily run through a magazine full - off hand - from my Model 70 in 338 Win Mag. Can read accounts of 1880's black powder Africa hunters - 4 gauge muzzle loading rifles - periodically knocked them to the ground / knocked them off their horse from recoil, but did not hurt them...
 
The "worst" recoiling firearm I used was a single shot "Silver King" 12 gauge shotgun with flat steel butt plate, and 3" #2 shot. I was probably about 15 years old. Split my right hand between thumb and shooting finger with that damn break lever on top. Black and blue with swelling - upper arm, especially. I was not "holding" it firmly, nor getting it up into position correctly. Takes years of practice to get over that one morning's goose shoot...
 
Thank you all. I understand the mechanics of this much better now.

And that understanding has caused me to seriously consider the nuclear option; switch to a bow for my in-the-woods time.

I'll see how it goes this fall. If I can ambush my way to a practical bow engagement range that'll likely be where I go in the longer run.

I'd stick with the Enfield for on-the-steppe work. Between earplugs and adrenaline I've never noticed it making noise or having recoil.
 
Update: traded a Mossberg 500 for a crude, heavy, all-steel Chinese Ithaca 37 clone.

I squeezed the trigger and braced myself for the recoil...and there wasn’t really any. More of a shove than a punch.

Those extra pounds really help, although you feel them on a long carry.

Ballast was the solution.
 
I really did not like the 1100 with heavy loads, the recoil was like getting hit twice in quick succession.

Maybe I'm a wimp but I found the 1100 obnoxious.
 
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