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What am I doing wrong? I have a fairly new .416 Rigby and took it to the range yesterday. In the 40 rounds I shot, 2 came back on me. Any advice on how to prevent this?

Ouch! Sorry about your accident.

Judging by where you were hit with the scope, I would guess that you bled as if it were exit wounds! Just as long as you haven't had any lingering nausea, blurred vision, or drowsiness to accompany your head injury you should be okay. (And keep the area clean while it heals!) But if anyone comments on your scar, just tell them you've become a professional wrestler part time and not to mess with you, or else!

I'm no expert in scopes either, so I'll go along with what the others have said so far.
Any chance that the scope/scope mounts could have moved? Or did you change your shooting position somehow?

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I shoot nice groups - 2 inches off hand (no sticks) at 100m. The scope is set as far forward as it can go and I am shooting off a 4x magnification

If I could shoot 2" groups offhand at 100 meters I would fashion an aluminum headband and let the scope clobber me.

I agree about the LOP. I added 3/4" (20MM) to the stock on my .416 and my VXIII 1 3/4 by 6 no longer comes close to my face.

If it is hitting you at the range I would really be concerned while hunting, (quick follow up, odd position, etc) Make sure your PH can sew.

I wish I could see how you are mounting the rifle.

If you put the stock in the "pocket" (not on your arm, not on the ball of your shoulder, but a little inside, avoiding your collar bone), stand with the line of your feet at around 45 degs to the line of sight of the barrel -- or larger -- (a little more open than some folks shoot -- almost like a shotgun), with the sense that you are BEHIND the gun, and make sure you are NOT DUCKING to seat the rifle on the sticks lined up with the target, you'll have less of a chance of doing that.

Dan

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Originally posted by RIP:

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Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
we are going to relax the rules for membership in the Whomper Club, just this one time, and slot you in member status. The second moon got you in for having the balls to shoot again instead of being a crybaby.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

I second the motion.

At least something good has come out of this - thanks guys

Thank you all for the great advice I shall heed the advice and surely won’t get "mooned" again …… - Hopefully my new name "Two Moons" is also only a temporary set back

ghundwan,

All the advice given has merit and worth consideration. We don't want you to get scoped again! Seriously, my major "breakthrough" in shooting bigger rifles was in how not to get scoped. As I have posted before, I had troubles with my 300 Win coming back at me and hitting my glasses most of the time. Didn't get scoped but still wasn't thrilled about shooting the "beast." A proper LOP and scope set up AND better rifle handling got me going in the right direction.

Today I LOVE bigger bores...my fondest squirrel rifle is my RSM 458 Lott (and still enjoy my 338 Lapua, 375s and 416s.) I make sure the LOP is correct, my scope is set forward and when shooting the bigger stuff technique is correct. You can't free recoil a bigger rifle...it will bite you. You must have a proper hold and control the rifle with both hands (while pulling it into your shoulder of course!)

To me that is one of the fun parts of bigger rifles. Shooting a powerful weapon well and in control. With my rifles I know I WON'T get hurt unless I do something really stupid. When you know you won't get scoped/hurt then you can concentrate on your shooting! It is really satisfying for me.

As an aside (or maybe not!) although I love big bores one needs to know that shooting them at full snot takes its toll. 40 rounds of 416 Rigby especially off the bench is way too much IMO. I have and others here have suffered shooters headache from too many rounds while benching big bores. I'm no Doc but I'm thinking low level concussion???? Pace yourself and once you sight in get off the sitting bench and to sticks or a standing bench. I love my Lott but from the bench it is a bitch

Just my opine

John

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Originally posted by JKS:
ghundwan,

All the advice given has merit and worth consideration. We don't want you to get scoped again!

I have actually printed off this whole thread and made a summary of all the suggestions. The advice is worth a hell of a lot and is appreciated. I am going again early next week to the range and hopefully will have a positive report back

You could tape a slab of sorbethane on your forehead just in case.