Shoot couple of 500's and everything else seems easy
Just like a bow
I shoot throughout the Summer 70 lbs long bow
Then in September I scale down to elk bow 62 lbs and November in cold down to 55 lbs
Works great
Meanwhile at home between the hunts I still practice with that 70 as well

Glad I came to this page.
I've never shot the big stuff except Dad's .375 maybe a couple dozen times. I just had a .358U/mag built. Wanted it heavy and put mercury in both the forearm and butt, big wide pad: 2" wide, 7" high, best pad made for kickers. Long 26", balanced, stock to fit me right. Gun turned out a full pound heavier than I'd hoped, with four rounds it's an even 15lbs. Had planned on a buff cull shoot in Australia last year, then again this year. Starting in '12 my health went to hell. I've been sick most of the past four years. Haven't shot much since of course. Three belly surgeries, 4 place back fusion, and both shoulders totally replaced.

I fired 15 'starting loads' last July in a tee shirt. Getting chronograph readings I could count on. 250gr, 90gr AA7828 15 shot avg 2884fps. By the end of those, the recoil had accumulated to be more than enough. So I quit.

Decided since I was told to expect up to 50 shots per day in the hunt that I should have both a shoulder pad and ammo carrier. I designed one and had it made, took the lady three weeks to get it made. By then the weather turned bad for awhile. By then I was having more health issues and I still haven't got back to the range yet.

I have three shells at each grain increase up to 100gr. Loaded ready to go. I've never done much offhand shooting so I know I need some training there, and it wouldn't hurt to have someone show me the best way to hold it and shoot off hand and with a big kicker as this still does a job of that.

Whether I ever get well enough to make that hunt or not I want to shoot this rifle quite a bit.

Hopefully, things will fall in place to go to the range before long. I am concerned about damaging this shoulder. But, know also the butt goes to the side of the joint and not on it or the arm like some hold them. I've always been stronger than a bull, but, this sickness has really knocked the hell out of me. I've been trying to build up my arms. It's ridiculous how heavy a measly 3lb bar bell is after all these years of being able to pick up and carry 150lbs or more at any time. With this back, and both shoulders doing pushup's is out of the question now. Building my arms up best I can with these light weights is my goal for now.

Last thing I want to do is damage this shoulder. I'm not afraid of the gun or recoil, or anything else. The pad I had made is 5'wide x 10" long 1/4" leather on straps, the belly strap has 12 shell loops. I have faith in it, but, if it's not enough, she can sew a light pad and another layer of leather over it and that will surely do the job.

Thanks for any suggestions,
George

I think it is also a function of subconscious flinch, which shooting clays sportsmen are fairly aware of.

If you practice too much, such as too many shots in a single session, your subconscious will develop a defense mechanism. I was once shot several hundred rounds of 12 gauge every day when I was beginning in Sporting Clays. The trigger pull seemed to get heavier every day, until it felt like a massive effort to pull the trigger. Don't shoot too many shots of big bores at each session, just shoot a few shots on a frequent basis.

As to big bores I forgot to add, I have a "controlled flinch," as opposed to a trigger pull and its been working for years! Im an excellent shot btw...I can't explain it any better, sorry!

I am a big fan of dry firing a centerfire rifle. I've done it thousands of times with my 40 year old BDL in 270 and it still shoots great. I would take a light rifle (270, 30-06, what have you) to the range along with your big bore and alternate. Also dry fire until you see the same sight picture before during and after you squeeze the trigger with your big bore. Put a few (3 or so) down range, shoot your lighter rifle, rinse and repeat a few times .. Anyway works for me

quote:

Originally posted by chuck375:
Pushups don't help, but having boxed I can tell you getting punched in the head does lol

I would say that's the REAL recoil problem.

If you're getting a headache after 10 rounds, I'd think a guy would want to stop at 5.Your body is telling you to knock it off.

I think the secret with a big rifle is "don't get hurt....ever". Protect yourself in practice.

Agree anyone who gets a headache after shooting should back way way off