Recoil- Do you become desensitized?

[2rocky]

Wondering for those of you who shoot rifles a lot more than I do, did you find that recoil became less of an issue the more you shot?

When I'm trap shooting, I don't notice the recoil. The next couple of days my shoulder is pretty sore though.

When it comes to sighting in a magnum rifle or shooting some handloads I sure notice I tend to jump on the trigger or flinch unless I work REALLY hard and do a couple of dry fires before.

am I gonna get better or worse?

 

[skeet20]

recoil

I think the two main factors are your physical size and the stock design of the rifle. If you are a small person with short arms and little mass you may feel it more than someone larger. Rifle stock design plays a big part too. I have shot 300 Win mags and 340 Weatherby mags for over 30 years. I have noticed that the Ruger will hurt more than others because of the straight stock. You need to have a stock that will direct the recoil away from your face. That can be done with the proper style cheekpiece. Even though I shoot large rifles without a problem I do have a problem when I shoot 12 ga skeet. I think it is because of the stock and the fact I am swinging a lot. I don't have any problem with the smaller gauges on skeet. On trap I added weight to my gun to slow the recoil. It doesn't balance as well but I found that isn't as important in trap as in other shooting.

Once I am sighted in I try to practice shooting as I would in the field as I don't like to drag a heavy shooting bench with me on hunts.This will help reduce felt recoil as your body moves with the push. Shooting off a bench with the bags keeps all the recoil going right into your body and will hurt you more.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

The big risk you have if you are recoil sensitive is developing a flinch; which sounds like it might be starting.

The best thing I ever did to improve my field shooting was purchasing a ruger 77/22 Target in 22 LR. Has a similar weight and feel to most big game hunting rifles, it is super cheap to shoot, and you don't have to risk developing the flinch that come from heavy recoil.

You definately have to shoot the rifle you are going to hunt with enough to be comfortable with it, but I am not sure you will ever become completely desensitized to it.

You might try the new stock approach. I have a Tikka T3 lite in 7mm Rem, and the factory plastic stock made that rifle brutal for a 7mm Rem. I replaced it with a B&C Medalist and it feels almost like a completely different rifle with no increase in weight.

 

[mtelkhntr78]

I shoot about one good range session every two weeks on average. I notice I am becoming more tolerant to recoil. It hasnt come easy though. I practice triger control and breathing at home quite a bit. Dry firing with a snap cap will help out a ton. While I am waiting for my barrel to cool I practice with a snap cap. I will dry fire until I dont jerk or the crosshairs dont move off the target. In my opinion recoil is very cerebrial, or at least your reaction to the recoil is. By practicing the previously mentioned I have learned to get my focus correct and keep the jerky part of my brain out of my shooting.

 

[deer_shooter]

I agree with all so far but have noticed the more I shoot the less I am bothered by recoil. That's with 7mm mag up to 338. Still waiting to adjust to my 375. I think that will take a while.

 

[bjtc_brian]

I had a case of the "flinches" a few years ago. Being as I didn't get to rifle hunt as a kid, shooting a rifle was someone of a new experience(not completely) for me about 9 years ago. Practice is the "only" way you will get over flinching. The problem is if you are already flinching, you will probably not stop with that rifle. I bought a 22-250 a few years ago to help me solve my issue. I like this because it is virtually the same size as a big game rifle. Has "some" recoil, but not enough to be scared of. I am now very accurate out to 700 + yards with all my rifles(sub MOA, I ring 8" gongs at 700 yards, usually ). I practice a LOT though. I had to work through my flinching with my 22-250, and now none of my rifles cause me to flinch.

 

[noharleyyet]

Really believe a crisp 3lb trigger is the best antidote....and lots of practice. I use a benchrest but no lead in the sled. Currently safe 5 magnums and puny 270. Never feel recoil on game.

...forgot to mention reloading helps rationalize the affordability of more practice.

 

[bjtc_brian]

Ha ha, NHY, that is unless you are dumb like me and reload Barnes bullets...ouch!

 

[noharleyyet]

Ha ha, NHY, that is unless you are dumb like me and reload Barnes bullets...ouch!

'...helps rationalize" Guilty brian.

 

[belly-deep]

If you're already flinching, continuing to shoot big guns will only make it worse.

I'd back off and shoot a smaller gun for a while.

 

[Corax]

When I am shooting off the bench I use a sandbag between the rifle butt and my shoulder.

 

[idnative1948]

In real life when it comes down to it, I have never felt the recoil. Punching holes in paper? That's another thing..... and always try to remember that. But, of course I am old school.

 

[bjtc_brian]

When I am shooting off the bench I use a sandbag between the rifle butt and my shoulder.

I think this would affect your form and in the long run be just as bad as flinching.

 

[bjtc_brian]

In real life when it comes down to it, I have never felt the recoil. Punching holes in paper? That's another thing..... and always try to remember that. But, of course I am old school.

I agree 100%, when there is an animal(from gopher to elk), recoil is non-existent in my mind. Problem here is that you need to practice long range and know the ins and outs of your rifle if you are to ethically take the shot. If you are flinching, you are not going to be accurate. And to a greater degree, if you are flinching and site in to flinching then don't flinch when an animal is in your sights, sounds like a bad shot will be in your future.

 

[belly-deep]

A folded up towel between your shoulder and the gun actually cuts recoil quite well.