The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores Shooting big bores after open heart surgeryGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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I have a friend of mine who recently underwent open heart surgery. He is wondering how soon he maybe able to shoot his big bore rifles - 375 and above? Or whether he would be able to shoot them ever again! If anyone has any personal experience I would appreciate a PM. Thanks, Arjun | ||
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Arjun, He should not consider firing a big bore until he is off the blood-thinners, and then, only with clearance from a cardiologist familiar with the effects of recoil. George  | |||
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+1 George. | |||
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Curious if you can expand on the blood thinners comment. Is it due to fear of bruising, or brain hemorrhage, etc? Use enough gun... Shoot 'till it's dead, especially if it bites. | |||
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His strenum is only wired together right now. How soon and how well the bone mends will determine when. Age effects the how soon and how well. My Dad's was fused completely in 8 weeks. A friend's never did fuse and he was younger than my Dad! | |||
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Hi George, Good to hear from you. How is Vegas? Do you know a cardiologist who is familiar with the effects of recoil  . I am serious.
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I got cut in March and the fall guideing season saw me using my 30Gibbs,a year later the 358 Norma and bye the 3rd year 425 & 458., Yep your chest is sore for a very long time! If someone offered me their 500Asquare I'd probably not,, my self imposed limit of 70gre of powder gives more than enough for Alaskan bears. 450 Northfork@ 2150 is more than enough,,I havn't shot a bear with that load yet but I'm guessing it'll be fine!  I tend to use more than enough gun | |||
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Trademark Texan, Bruising would be the issue; even slight impacts were enough to cause massive bruising when my late father was on heparin. Arjun, Vegas is fabulous! I love it here. I don't know any recoil-savvy cardiologists, but I wager any of them that are in SCI would be in a position to consult on it. George | |||
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Coumadin, the usual post op blood thinner isnt the only issue. Healing of the grafts and other over and underlying structures is essential. Sternal nonunion is a major consideration. Coumadin, in my opinion, causes some weakness in ligament structures which can lead to tearing of bursa as well as the rotator cuff ligaments. Not fun to experience or to get repaired. Give your self plenty of time to heal. Ease into it slowly and things will work out in that you can shoot a big bore again. square shooter | |||
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Id shoot a 250-3000 for the next year, then work my way up. I have several clients that had open heart surgery, and they get by just fine, but it took a long time they tell me..about a year it seems. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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First if he had a artificial valve installed he will never be off thinners. I've had 2 open heart surgeries. First time a valve. Second time valve and aorta. My first surgeon was a big hunter. And even though I was healed he limited me to 22-250, 223 etc at 6 months. 243, 25-06 after 9. It was about 16 months before I was back to 375 equivalent. As I stand now 2 years after the second surgery I have not issues with a 375 or my 400PDK. As to bigger I have no desire. Open 2 times there is a LOT of scar tissue bonding back together. As to Coumadin it isn't as big an issue as it was years ago. The INR levels have been reduced (at least that what my DR told me). I run 2.5 and have no issues. Plus now days many like myself do weekly self monitoring. So getting your INR too high is far less of an issue. As usual just my $.02 Paul K | |||
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+1 When I was on coumadin after a right lung embolus AND infarction I was able to shoot my 416 Remington without issue.  | |||
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Good info. I'm a heart failure patient (viral infection, arteries were clean, just bad luck) and may need 2" of my aorta replaced in a year or so. I may just have to step down from my beloved 500 Jeffery, I hope not though! If I do, I'll post it here first. Feeds, extracts and shoots like a dream. Pussycat recoil too (if you believe that ...) Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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I would think this is one time I would opt for a muzzle brake and mild loads on a .375, you don't need much velocity anyway for those big bullets. I never loaded my .375 anywhere near max. I have a stint, but I doubt you could break one of them loose, I was shooting a 416 later in the week after the stint went in and had no problems... Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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That's not entirely accurate. If your artificial valve is titanium - you will always be on blood thinners. My Aortic valve is a tissue valve (bovine), and I have never been on blood thinners. I've had it since 2008. I just take an aspirin a day. My heart surgeon is also a big game hunter. He limited me to .270 recoil for 6 months and then I was back to shooting full 400 G loads in my 416 Remington. He was more worried about waiting for the sternum to heal rather than the brushing. | |||
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Ive been on blood thinners for about 2 years now, had two stints. Doc says its OK..I have shot a lot of big bores with no effect, but this is something you should not take to the internet, take your doctors advise only....They can't keep putting humpty dumpty back together again if you don't mind them. But, I trashed my hand in a roping incident about two years ago I guess, and can't shoot the heavy recoiling guns anymore so am selling them all, they slap the middle knuckle and ouch! big time, and do I ever have a new flinch!! I can shoot light calibers up to the 9.3x62 or .338, but that's about it, and can rope again but cannot make a rounded fist.. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Surgery July 5, 2018. Safari October 19, 2018. Followed doctor's advice. Wife was primary hunter. Double bypass / open heart. Shoulder bruising from several shots over a week -- it was hot and I didn't wear a pad (PAST). The main issue with my recovery time was losing chest and arm meat (atrophy). Cardio recovery built some back but not enough for a serious shoot without a PAST. _______________________ | |||
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Today makes most of 4 months since open heart surgery. Rifle / scope check yesterday -- 11 shots standing bench rest with PAST shoulder pad gave a nasty goose-egg on my shooting shoulder. Iced it twice and it receded. Anyhow, losing twenty pounds plus the muscle atrophy during healing time means I have no meat to speak of in my chest and shoulders. Cardio rehab works, but you need to get meat back before you can resume a former pastime. _______________________ | |||
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Maybe not what you are looking for, but... Paintballs usually come in .68" diameter. There are .5" paintballs too. This .5" paintball opens up some interesting options for sabots in muzzle loaders. You could shoot a "Big bore" and paint animals at close range and for target with fun reactions. Maybe paper patch with a special base the .68" ball in a 68 cal muzzle loader? Would be lots of fun to play with and reduced recoil for medical restrictions. Anyone want to shoot paint balls out of their 500 s&w?  577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375 *we band of 45-70ers* (Founder) Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder) | |||
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