Gentlemen, I have a couple 375's and I'm taking my Blaser R93 with brake and Blaser recoil reducer in stock this time to Zim with 375 barrel. For reference, I'm left handed. I've worked up loads for the R93 and practicing for it. I also had a root canal left side and had to come in from side by oral surgeon to repair that was done on Jan 27th. Both my regular dentist and the oral surgeon said it was ok a couple weeks after surgery to shoot. I've had some scope and ring issues that had me shooting more than normal but have resolved. I'm shooting 20 plus rounds per session and expect my cheek to be a little sore but it's also radiating to bottom of tooth. Also, I have put a cheek pad on stock also. I also went back to my dentist thinking something might be wrong and he X-rayed and said he saw nothing.
Has anyone had a similar situation and if so, what was their remedy?

The stock shape/design may need attention. That so called "cheek weld" on heavy hitters may need to be compromised.

Another tought is to cut down those sessions to maybe 10 rounds. When breakng myself into shooting my 500 Jeff, I kept it down to five

Yes 5 with the 500 Jeffery is plenty

With due respect if you are not careful you could be in danger of developing a flinch shooting fairly intense sessions as you are.

I had similar issues when shooting my lightweight 404 rifle on the range, nothing to do with teeth but shoulder bruising. A replacement Decelerator pad solved a lot of it but using lower intensity loads with cast bullets made shooting pleasant with still enough recoil to know you are shooting a big bore.
When I first acquired my 404 I had had a sore stiff neck for a couple of weeks so was wary when shooting the 404 with factory ammo for the first time. Shot it leaning across a vehicle roof and it was fine. It was later shooting of a bench on the range where I noticed the effects of recoil.

I too am a lefty but find I can comfortably shoot most rifles, I own only right handed rifles just having a LH semi auto shotgun for convenience of loading when in lay down blinds.

For handling and range practice with your 375 I would be looking to lower intensity loads with either lighter jacketed or cast bullets.

I’m with Duane regarding suspicion of the stock shape as a possible cause.

Does your rifle have that Germanic hog-backed stock? As Saeed recently pointed out in a story he told about Walter, that stock seems to accentuate recoil by pushing the rifle up into your face.

My standard Blaser R93 Off-Road stock has no cheekpiece and is very straight. It’s quite comfortable when shooting with the .375 barrel.

I'll go one more. Limit practice to 3 rounds. Then do some dry fire. If you are a wide shoulder person, you probably have your cheek over the top of the comb tilting head to look through sights.

Check whether your rifle’s stock is set up for a RH shooter. It sounds like the stock’s cast might be wrong for a leftie. The incorrect cast will make the stock smack your cheek like that.

quote:

Originally posted by JFE:
Check whether your rifle’s stock is set up for a RH shooter. It sounds like the stock’s cast might be wrong for a leftie. The incorrect cast will make the stock smack your cheek like that.

+1 on that!

I want to thank everyone for the feedback. I have this 375 barrel on my R93 Luxus. I believe it's neutral. I also have an off road stock that i have my 300 WM on. What has driven some of the higher round count is I've had scope creep (rings) a Vortex scope not holding up to recoil and as of last evening my Talley base coming loose. Incidentally, they have all been over the top helping me deal with the problems. I'm not shooting this setup recreationally, I'm going on a hunt in Zim in about 35 days and have been shooting the rounds I'll be using on this hunt. I have a Browning I took last year that is a tack driver but since I have this barrel and Vortex scope with lighted reticle (which will not work on the Browning because of light turret interfering with ejection. I've put the Blaser/Talley base on and it works. That's what started this whole project and higher than normal round count. If it was Browning I would've shot 20- 30 rounds over two three sessions and been good. I did go last eve and used a mouth guard and didn't weld cheek quite as tight and that seemed to help.

If a lefty shoots a gun with a stock that is 'cast off' (i.e. a RH stock) instead of pulling away from your face it does the opposite and smacks you harder in the chops. With magnum loads that gets old really quickly. I'm a lefty and remember shooting my wife's grandfather's gun that had quite a pronounced 'cast off' and could not understand why I kept seeing stars when I pulled the trigger.

It's pretty easy to check what cast your stock has. Make sure the gun is empty and hold the gun by the muzzle with the butt sitting on the ground and the toe of the stock pointing up. Then using the barrel as your ‘straight edge’, sight down the bottom of the barrel. If the toe of the stock lines up with the line of the barrel, it's neutrally stocked. If the toe kicks out to the left, it's 'cast on' and suitable for LH shooters. If the toe kicks out to the right, it's ‘cast off’ and suitable for RH shooters.

Good idea and I just did that and it sure looks neutral to me.

quote:

Originally posted by JFE:
If a lefty shoots a gun with a stock that is 'cast off' (i.e. a RH stock) instead of pulling away from your face it does the opposite and smacks you harder in the chops. With magnum loads that gets old really quickly. I'm a lefty and remember shooting my wife's grandfather's gun that had quite a pronounced 'cast off' and could not understand why I kept seeing stars when I pulled the trigger.

It's pretty easy to check what cast your stock has. Make sure the gun is empty and hold the gun by the muzzle with the butt sitting on the ground and the toe of the stock pointing up. Then using the barrel as your ‘straight edge’, sight down the bottom of the barrel. If the toe of the stock lines up with the line of the barrel, it's neutrally stocked. If the toe kicks out to the left, it's 'cast on' and suitable for LH shooters. If the toe kicks out to the right, it's ‘cast off’ and suitable for RH shooters.

I'm pretty sure blasers are strait (no cast off/on). Why are you not using the blaser mounts?

That is a legit question. My thinking was that I've used Talley on other rifles and think they are quality. When I decided to do this, I kind of balked at the $500.00 price point and then seeing that Talley had mount for less and thought would accomplish what I wanted to do. So I proceeded. About 30 minutes ago I bit the bullet and bought the Blaser QD scope mount. I do have the Blaser rings on the other Blaser I have and now they both will have. I have high expectations for them. I have never had a problem with the other one.

quote:

Originally posted by eny:
I'm pretty sure blasers are strait (no cast off/on). Why are you not using the blaser mounts?

quote:

Originally posted by JFE:
If a lefty shoots a gun with a stock that is 'cast off' (i.e. a RH stock) instead of pulling away from your face it does the opposite and smacks you harder in the chops. With magnum loads that gets old really quickly. I'm a lefty and remember shooting my wife's grandfather's gun that had quite a pronounced 'cast off' and could not understand why I kept seeing stars when I pulled the trigger.

It's pretty easy to check what cast your stock has. Make sure the gun is empty and hold the gun by the muzzle with the butt sitting on the ground and the toe of the stock pointing up. Then using the barrel as your ‘straight edge’, sight down the bottom of the barrel. If the toe of the stock lines up with the line of the barrel, it's neutrally stocked. If the toe kicks out to the left, it's 'cast on' and suitable for LH shooters. If the toe kicks out to the right, it's ‘cast off’ and suitable for RH shooters.

That's interesting, Joe,
I had thought that cast off was to compensate for a righty's shoulder being some distance from his face. Thus, though it would make it harder for a lefty to get cheek weld, I'd think that the stock would move away from his face under recoil.

Though the whole set-up would be wrong for a left-hander and probably make recoil worse, I'm surprised a smack in the chops would be the worst part.

You are correct think of the buttplate as fulcrum...Harvey Mille built in cast ON for right hand shooters on the heavy hitters,


In the real world,,,I don't think cast has any effect on recoil...just lines up the eye with the target Of course, if there was some ridiculous cast, that would be a different story

In my exprience."normal"cast is about 1/16-3/8 at toe and a bit less at heel ( to fit shoulder pocket)

All I can relate is my experience as a leftie shooting a shotgun with a pronounced cast off. When I shot it the comb reared up and hit me hard on my left cheek.

Most recoil issues are due to bad stocks!

European style stocks are just plain AWFUL in this regard.

I have had root canal and I can’t remember I ever felt any difference shooting big bores within a very short time.

Never gave it a thought actually!!??

If you just had a root canal, that area is still very sensitive. Perhaps you are clenching your teeth when you shoot? Maybe unconciously. Try dropping your lower jaw a bit when you sqeeze one off to disengage your teeth.

quote:

Originally posted by RAR60:
Gentlemen, I have a couple 375's and I'm taking my Blaser R93 with brake and Blaser recoil reducer in stock this time to Zim with 375 barrel. For reference, I'm left handed. I've worked up loads for the R93 and practicing for it. I also had a root canal left side and had to come in from side by oral surgeon to repair that was done on Jan 27th. Both my regular dentist and the oral surgeon said it was ok a couple weeks after surgery to shoot. I've had some scope and ring issues that had me shooting more than normal but have resolved. I'm shooting 20 plus rounds per session and expect my cheek to be a little sore but it's also radiating to bottom of tooth. Also, I have put a cheek pad on stock also. I also went back to my dentist thinking something might be wrong and he X-rayed and said he saw nothing.
Has anyone had a similar situation and if so, what was their remedy?

I am trying to focus on my jaw and relaxing and so not to do that. I went out Mon. and shot around 20 rounds and with a mouthpiece and seemed to be ok. A friend went out with me to clock the rounds Wed. and I shot 11 rounds and maybe the fact that he was involved I unknowingly clenched with mouthpiece part of the time (my fault). I also might have welded cheek tighter than I should've. Yesterday, my jaw was sore and back molar discomfort like before.
The root canal I mentioned is not a conventional one, the surgeon went in from top side to get to laying gum open, etc. It is right where I rest to shoot. What has driven this high round count till now is the scope,ring issues I was having. I have solved that and don't need to shoot that many now. This AM I it's better. Bottom line, I think some level of clenching and cheek weld is driving this as mentioned.

When I shoot any European style stock, I feel like Mike Tyson has clobbered on the face!

quote:

Originally posted by JFE:
All I can relate is my experience as a leftie shooting a shotgun with a pronounced cast off. When I shot it the comb reared up and hit me hard on my left cheek.

I'd bet the cause was pitch (or POSSIBLY excessive drop)

I was cleared by my personal dentist and oral surgeon to shoot a week two after root canal on Jan 27th. They also said that it could take 2 to 6months for it to completely heal. I don't totally know what that means. Discomfort from time to time or no discomfort just heals unknowingly. I do have a padded overwrap cheek piece on stock. I appreciate all the comments/suggestions.

Try this. You'll thank me later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPNSU5Ug-9k

LOL

quote:

Originally posted by desert dog:
Try this. You'll thank me later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPNSU5Ug-9k

%^&*($# lefties.

Tape your left hand fingers together and learn to use your right hand. Have someone whack you cross the knuckles with a steel rule every time that you use your left hand.

That was the philosophy of the nuns in Catholic school that I attended in the mid 60's

This is how I shoot a big bore. Maybe some help here. I have posted this several times.

-Firmly pull the rifle straight back in your shoulder. Keep it pulled back firmly with both hands until AFTER the shot, "until the bullet has hit your target." (in your imagination) If you relax as soon as the trigger breaks you may develop a flinch.

-get a shooting cadence. Once you are "in hold go 1-2-3 seconds,... ready, aim , fire....3 seconds, if you hold the rifle too long in the "hold position" things just get worse not better.

- trigger squeeze may be quick but it is still a squeeze. the trigger break should be a bit of a surprise to you, as you are squeezing not jerking the trigger..

- get someone to load for you, instruct him to give you an surprise empty chamber once in a while and watch for a flinch.

- Hold rifle firmly but don't tense up, relax and roll with the punch. like a boxer.

- A lot of it is mental, attitude. Believe it or not it will kick you less if you welcome it ,not resist it.

- straight stock/comb is ideal for recoil with higher sights, look at the Blaser R8. A stock with lots of drop is good for quick handling of a shotgun on rising birds but in a rifle it slaps you in the face.

I teach this process, it works time and time again. I hunt cape buffalo with a .577NE. I love the recoil try to feel the same about it... huge difference. happy shooting. Brian

Rare 60,

Hello again, I keep thinking about this, Sounds like there might be a gun fit issue. Just trying to help.
When a stock is too short it sometimes increases the "felt recoil".

If the stock is real straight you may need higher rings.
If something is wrong with fit etc, the more you shoot it the worst it gets. If you felt like it you could post left and right photos of you holding the rifle and I could tell in glance if the fit is ok. .

The problem with that is, 50% of the comments you would get would be wrong. I am not trying to "mow your lawn". just trying to help.

If you have a pal with lots gun fit knowledge he/she should be able to check the fitting thing for you.

As previously mentioned, i appreciate the input from everyone. This is not an issue of recoil into my shoulder. I can take with no problems, its that I was having a tooth issue and jaw sore and low grade ache. As mentioned, what added to it was I had a ring creep issue and a Talley base issue and a Vortex scope all faulted. In three days I shot over 60 rounds chasing the issue and more a few days later. It's been over two months now since root canal and I just back from the range. Shot 8 375 soft and 10 solids. I now have the damn near one hole rifle after getting the Blaser QD rings and the new Vortex Razor. I also shot my 300 WM 12- 13 times. So I test drove my cheek and root canal again and no issues. The bottom line the dentist and oral surgeon told me I could should shoot close after procedure without knowing what I was shooting. A person should wait a little longer than 10 to 14 days after having what I had done and shoot a high caliber.
Again, I thank everyone who contributed but I'm happy to say problem solved!

RAR60, Ok I got it. I kinda misunderstood. Brian

The sorest my shoulder ever got was a week of shotgun training.

Using standard 870 riot guns shooting full power slugs and buckshot lots of bruises that week.

quote:

Using standard 870 riot guns shooting full power slugs and buckshot lots of bruises that week.

Agreed! I have done it to, but not with a brutally lightweight alley sweeper like you did, but pass shooting Canada geese for a week with a standard weight, long barrelled O/U. Face, shoulder and back hurt.

It is much tougher than shooting a dozen or so .577NE rounds over a week in hot Africa where you are warm and loosened up.

Very good point. Brian