Techniques for heavy recoiling rifles

[PCC600]

I agree totally with one addition.

Look a "Wrights book shooting the British double rifle". There regulating is done fron a standing instead a sitting shooting bench.

Works for me!

Always shoot my big rifles “in” using a standing bench . Never ever use a lead sled . Standing benches allow you to much more readily absorb the recoil . Of course the rifle weight must be suitable to the cartridge size and stock fit is spot on .

 

[grand veneur]

I only shoot big bore rifles on the shooting range resting on sandbags, making also sure that my elbows likewise are resting on something soft. I would also never use a lead sled.

 

[xausa]

! was using s "lead sled" long before one was available commercially. I find it invaluable.
I have no facts and figures to back my theory, but I found years ago that after I had been shooting International Skeet for some time, my rifle technique improved dramatically. Unlike the rules of American Skeet, which allow the shooter to stand ready with gun mounted and stipulate that the target must be released virtually simultaneously with the shooter's commend "Pull", Intenational Skeet requires the shooter to be standing in the "ready position" with the gun held at the waist. so that the butt stock is touching the hip bone. Another difference is that in International Skeet, instead of being released the instant the shootere calls for it, the target is released with an unpredictable pause of up to three seconds after the command "Pull" is given. Since the gun may be shouldered only after the target appears, it means that the shooter is not in command, but must wait until the target is visible outside the trap house before starting to shoulder his gun.
I found that once I mastered the technique of shouldering my gun on command, so to speak, was mastered, then I no longer was concerned with recoil of a powerful rifle. I have endured the recoil of my
.458 WM double rifle firing both barrels simuntaneously and the recoil of my wildcat bolt action .577 VSRE, which duplicates the ballistics of the .577 NE, which in both cases forced me to take two steps backward to preserve my balance, with no ill effect.
I also found that shooting International Skeet improved my wing shooting dramatically.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Last time I took my 504J to the range and shot it from the bench I could feel my teeth moving in their sockets during recoil. Enough of that. I ordered a shooting yoke attachment for my camera tripod. Not shooting sticks but a helluva lot cheaper ($17) and easier to store. My PH provides sticks when I'm in Africa so no need to drag them with me on the plane.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I have used a lead sled on hard hitting rifles to learn what the rifle was capable of and to zero in on a load. Use a reasonable amount of weight to allow the rifle to move the sled and no issues.

After I had a baseline of what the rifle was doing. I switched to standing and more real world shooting.

If a rifle rest is allowed to move with recoil it should not harm the rifle. If it harms the rifle. Then I would say the rest did you a favor and highlighted a flaw in the design or build.

Flame away

 

[Jim Golden]

This is a proper shooting clinic for Big Bore rifles.
Notice how they are all following Matt's suggested stance and positioning and just go with the flow.

Wundy Bob! (Never did know what that meant....the one guy in the white outfit yelled it....probably Arabic for "Ouch!" )

 

[cajunchefray]

Last time I took my 504J to the range and shot it from the bench I could feel my teeth moving in their sockets during recoil. Enough of that. I ordered a shooting yoke attachment for my camera tripod. Not shooting sticks but a helluva lot cheaper ($17) and easier to store. My PH provides sticks when I'm in Africa so no need to drag them with me on the plane.View attachment 586307

I have thought of that setup, need to get one.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have thought of that setup, need to get one.

Look for quality camera tripods at second hand stores. Becausr 35mm cameras aren't nearly as popular nowadays, many people are dumping their cameras and accessories. Bought the yoke on eBay. Look for "V gun rest." Mine is Hammers brand. Very sturdy.

 

[Tanks]

As a good friend of mine used to say, "Let recoil happen." And just roll with the shot.

Here are two shots at a hunt that demonstrate this.

Examples at the range. Notice that all the movement is above the waist.

 

[SStomcat]

I’m not there yet but learning fast. First time I was in the range and fired about six rounds I ended up with a swollen middle finger and bruised shoulder. So this is what I do - front leg forward, knees slightly bent, facing the target, back leg firmly entrenched and probably at a 30 deg angle to the target, chest wide open, right arm almost perpendicular and holding the rifle as firmly as you can tucked in your shoulder pocket, very important.As you lean forward take a deep breath forget everything, concentrate on the trigger and the target and let it go. Key thing is to remember that when you press the trigger while concentrating on the target, not to let loose of your hold and keep holding the rifle as firmly as you were. rock with recoil and enjoy

 

[Ontario Hunter]

! was using s "lead sled" long before one was available commercially. I find it invaluable.
I have no facts and figures to back my theory, but I found years ago that after I had been shooting International Skeet for some time, my rifle technique improved dramatically. Unlike the rules of American Skeet, which allow the shooter to stand ready with gun mounted and stipulate that the target must be released virtually simultaneously with the shooter's commend "Pull", Intenational Skeet requires the shooter to be standing in the "ready position" with the gun held at the waist. so that the butt stock is touching the hip bone. Another difference is that in International Skeet, instead of being released the instant the shootere calls for it, the target is released with an unpredictable pause of up to three seconds after the command "Pull" is given. Since the gun may be shouldered only after the target appears, it means that the shooter is not in command, but must wait until the target is visible outside the trap house before starting to shoulder his gun.
I found that once I mastered the technique of shouldering my gun on command, so to speak, was mastered, then I no longer was concerned with recoil of a powerful rifle. I have endured the recoil of my
.458 WM double rifle firing both barrels simuntaneously and the recoil of my wildcat bolt action .577 VSRE, which duplicates the ballistics of the .577 NE, which in both cases forced me to take two steps backward to preserve my balance, with no ill effect.
I also found that shooting International Skeet improved my wing shooting dramatically.

I'm not sure switching to low gun skeet helped much with range recoil issues, mostly because until last year I never had a rifle that could produce significant recoil issues (30-06 is hardly a shoulder buster). However, switching to low gun skeet, besides upping my average score three clays per round, made me much more deadly shooting running targets with a rifle.

If I had a mega thumper elephant gun, I would probably change my skeet shooting form so that I was "flat footed" or on the wrong foot when the target is pulled. Practice stepping into the shot as gun is mounted. I often pull some skeet stations with the muzzle pointed down to the ground. Occasionally I will pull station seven with shotgun under my arm and safety engaged. It's about imitating field wingshooting.

 

[RayAtkinson]

a muzzle brake is the only thing that works, and some won't use it..Never bothered me but only used one on a 505 Gibbs carbine. but shot a number of them at the range.. they are loud but ear plugs on a string fix that for Petes sake and as I age I like them better.

I hold a big bore tight against my shoulder and snug back on the forend..grip is tight and shoot off hand mostly..I tried them all but the 404 J and the 416 Rem ended up my choice and never saw any reason for more gun..

 

[colorado]

Off the bench I hold the forearm a bit more tightly, the 1 in 10" twist on my 500 Jeffery barrel is noticeable. Offhand I shoot it just like my 270 Win.

 

[Huntsmans Bane]

My best suggestion, and my regular gun is a 300 Weatherby Magnum, is limit the number of shots you shoot with the heavy magnum. It’s hard to get rid of a flinch. So, it’s better not to get it going.

Assuming you can still reach the trigger, there are a lot of good slipon recoil pads. Brakes are fine, but increase the noise and with a 300 Weatherby that’s pretty loud without a brake.

 

[SStomcat]

I limit my shooting offhand to max of 6, sometimes I have done 8 rounds but rarely.