Three or so years ago I got interested in big bore rifles and bought a 458 Lott. I liked it so much I bought a 460 Weatherby Mark V. Then I got a full thickness rotator cuff tear then an open incision repair of same in my right shoulder, I am right handed. For those of you, fortunate ones, who don't know a torn RC is a big deal, the surgery is traumatic and the recovery is long. I have a good result, I have nearly full range of motion and my strength is returning. My surgeon assures me, if I tear it again the result will not be as good. I know people who have gotten poor results and they are all but crippled in their shoulder. My question is this, how risky is it to shoot a big bore rifle to my repaired RC? The problem with finding a reliable answer, there are a good number of folks out there who have shot big guns and there are a good number of folks out here who have thorough knowledge of orthopedics but the intersection of these two groups i.e. orthopedic surgeons who have shot big bore rifles must be rather small. Any of you gentlemen have reliable information on this topic?

I tore my super spinatus several years ago. Had to lay off the thumpers for about a year, along with bows. Right handed, right shoulder.

My orthopedic surgeon cleared me to go back to shooting them after 12 months. Easing into it. Since then, I have made three trips to Africa, including shooting my Cape Buffalo with a 450 Rigby.

He suggested range of motion exercises, which I have kept doing. I am a little "achey" after shooting 10-20 rounds with stuff like my 460 G&A, 404J, or others. But, since I will be 66 in in 19 days, how much of it is plain old age, and onset of arthritis...?

I'm also shooting my compound bow at 62lbs and my 30 inch draw.

For me, stretching exercises and some common sense have worked well.

Rich

I had my RC and AC done in 2004, recovery with full strengthening exercises took more than 12 months. 3 months of this was in complete immobility slings, it only came off to bathe/wash, even had to sleep with it on.
I was cleared to shoot again after 18 months, and I was still doing the strengthening exercises.
All I can stress is to follow OS instructions and follow up with good strengthening exercises.
I have 100% mobility back, and my shoulder is stronger than before the surgery.
Unfortunately, I have the AC on my left shoulder full of arthritis which will need the same surgery soon, which is to remove the shoulder blade and collar bone joint. If the last surgery is any gauge, it is the most painful injury/surgery I've ever experienced, and I've had my fair share.
Hope all goes well for you.
I still shoot my 505 Gibbs with no trouble to this day.

Cheers.

I have had RT/AC on both shoulders, (shoot righty). I was back to shooting up to my .416 Rem within 8 months with no ill effects. Sort of had to build up my recoil tolerance again, starting off with small bores and gradually working back up to my .458 Lott.

This is encouraging. I'm recovering from shoulder surgery myself.

Don't rush it and follow your Dr and Physical Therapists instructions. You will be back to shooting whatever you like.

Took me around a year to have complete recoil tolerance. After about 6 months of recovery and therapy, my Dr told me to do what I wanted and that my body would tell me when to stop.

Same with me,6 full months of recovery and zero shooting, even a 22. After 6 months, I started off slow, an AR then to the 25-06. It felt so good that my next one was a .338 WM. That one didn't feel too good so it was back to an '06 for a week or so. Then moving up didn't seem to be a problem. You'll be fine.

About 6 years ago, I had my RC surgery (arthroscopic) and about 8 weeks of Physical Therapy.

I honestly thought the only thing I'd be able to do was shoot pistol Lefty, but was shooting my .40 cal pistol righty after 12 weeks, my 270 after the 16th week. Worked up from there.

Like said by others, don't rush things, follow the Dr's orders and do ALL your PT. (trust me, I wasn't a believer in PT before, but I am now)

Good luck, Tim

Had both RC's blow out at same time. Left one needed surgery to repair. If I was you I'd wait until fully healed. Had to give up a lot of activates, but not shooting.