Guess this is the place to ask. I seem to have damaged my right (shooting side) trapezius muscle. After recovery/repair, how cautious must I be in resuming use of .375 and .416 calibers? Any experience appreciated, and no trips planned in the immediate future.

Thanks,

Barry

What did your doc say.

I start low and work my way up the recoil ladder when one starts feeling some pain I would stop.

Stopping at the start of pain is practical advice.

I have similar questions because I wonder what the effects of aging will be on the big bores that I shoot and am building. At the moment I do practical hunting with a 416 shooting 350 gn TTSX at 2825fps for a muzzle energy around 6200ftlbs. Both my son and I consider it manageable and around the upper end of what might be a comfort zone for accurate longrange hunting and shooting. Will we find that limit too much in the future? I have also built a 500AccRel with a little more energy. Again, it seems good and on the upper end of manageability. However, on some days a twinge of pain will enter the shooting sessions for one or more of the big bores, and I find it prudent to call it a day. Sometimes a half dozen shots are just fine, sometimes twenty. But my son once had to do load development on a tight schedule and shoot 20-30 rounds on top of a shoulder that was hurting. While a person can grit and bear it, especially when younger, I don't recommend that for shooting pleasure and long term accuracy and technique.

We both think that the 338WM represents a nice minimalist position, easy on a sore shoulder, but I wouldn't know what to recommend for recovery from damaged muscles.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
What did your doc say?

I start low and work my way up the recoil ladder when one starts feeling some pain I would stop.

Will know more Tuesday when doctor's return to work. Might even be a deep tissue infection -- quite weird. Thanks!

Lipoma (not muscle related.) General surgeon will address it next week. Thanks for the help.

What ever you shoot, metal butt plates are out for a while at.least. IMO, recoil begins at the 30-06. So if u have one that has a softish recoil pad on it. That would be a good place to start. . If the 06 is easy.pie then try the 338. And on and on. Probably wouldn't want to start with something big and hot. But a 458 with a 350 gr bullet at 1500fps is mild. Add velocity as you go. Then add bullet weight. IMHO.

Got some RR tracks across my back -- staples instead of stitches. lump was much reduced in size after two weeks, excised surgically to determine cause(s).

Thanks for the advice!