Boddington, on recoil

[Guy Miner]

Craig Boddington, one of my favorite current gun-writers (the other being John Barsness) has a great article in the latest (Oct 2015) issue of American Rifleman; "How to Shoot Big Guns."

Although the article concentrates on the heavy kickers, the .375's and up, way up, he goes into some EXCELLENT marksmanship tips that would be useful for any of us seeking to improve our rifle shooting. Particularly our shooting in the field, rather than off the bench.

Good stuff - and Boddington has considerable credibility since he's been hunting Africa for dangerous game, with big rifles, for decades.

If you haven't got your copy yet, seek one out from a member of the NRA, and take a look. Just might pick up something that would help you deal with that hard-kicking elk rifle!

Regards, Guy

 

[DrMike]

I will be looking forward to the article, Guy. Our magazines do not reach us in the same timely manner they are sent in the States. My latest copy of the American Rifleman is August 2015.

 

[hubcap]

Just read it. Fine article by Boddington. Lot of good advice by ole Craig. I remember a few years back I got tired of getting the snot knocked out of me and a bruised shoulder to boot. Purchased a magnum past strap on recoil pad. Now I can actually shoot my 300 Mag without flinching or thinking about recoil. Boddington recommends it too. One of his most important points is get off the bench and practice field positions . That's far more important than many realize.

 

[rodell]

It's too bad that many ranges in Western WA won't allow you to practice "field" positions - Kenmore being one of those. No standing, no sitting (other than at the bench). no sticks, nothing. I see lots of people at these ranges that are going to have a hell of a time in the field.

 

[hubcap]

It's too bad that many ranges in Western WA won't allow you to practice "field" positions - Kenmore being one of those. No standing, no sitting (other than at the bench). no sticks, nothing. I see lots of people at these ranges that are going to have a hell of a time in the field.

Both the ranges I use are the same way. Bench rest only. I have to go out in the woods in order to practice the way I want to. I enjoy shooting from a bench rest as much as anyone else. Shooting at deer and elk in the woods is a whole different ball game. Boddington encourages practice at field positions. He is correct on that one too.

 

[wildgene]

...link to the article...

http://www.americanrifleman.org/article ... -big-guns/

 

[Dwh7271]

That's a good article.
Thanks Guy!

 

[Elkman]

Thanks, gene, a great article. I am another supporter of the Past Recoil Shield, best purchase I have made in a long time. I know that I would not be shooting my 7mm without it. My friends here steered me the right way.

 

[Kodiak]

Boddington filmed a few segments of the shooting of heavy dbl. rifles at our gun club
a couple of years ago. The mans a wealth of information, to converse with, so much
experience in the field.

We're lucky to live when he's also here.

 

[Vince]

Great link Gene.
Thank you for posting it.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[nvbroncrider]

Yes and something to add to that article stop while you're ahead don't shoot until you develop a flinch. My 9.3 is all I can handle about 6-10 rounds is it. Don't shoot until your totally miserable.

 

[truck driver]

Yes and something to add to that article stop while you're ahead don't shoot until you develop a flinch. My 9.3 is all I can handle about 6-10 rounds is it. Don't shoot until your totally miserable.

The 35 AI isn't quite that bad but 20 rounds is all I want to shoot out of it during a range session from the bench. What I can't figure out is why the 225gr ABs felt recoil is greater than the 250gr PTs. :?:

 

[DrMike]

We are individuals, and as was said, "A man has to know his limits." I'm finding as I age, recoil is less and less acceptable. My distaste for recoil may account for my love affair for so many years with the .280 Remington.

 

[wildgene]

...on a 'personal note', I find it almost impossible to separate recoil w/ "Muzzle Blast". W/ a good shooting position, proper 'cheek weld', etc., 'recoil' should be fairly manageable in most 'normal' calibers. 'Muzzle blast' & the associated concussion is what really causes a 'flinch', puts you out of position & allows a rifle to beat you up more than it should...

 

[PJGunner]

...on a 'personal note', I find it almost impossible to separate recoil w/ "Muzzle Blast". W/ a good shooting position, proper 'cheek weld', etc., 'recoil' should be fairly manageable in most 'normal' calibers. 'Muzzle blast' & the associated concussion is what really causes a 'flinch', puts you out of position & allows a rifle to beat you up more than it should...

Gene. You make a very good point. any long years ago, I bought a Remington 660 in .308 to replace my way overweight 1903 Springfield that I'd used for hunting for many years. I was hunting with buddies on a mountain that topped off at roughly 9500 Feet MSL and as I was a heavy chain smoker at the time, there wasn't enough air coming in for me to work properly at that altitude. Problem is, that's where the deer were. I figured that reasonably light .308 would more than suffice for Mule Deer with 150 gr. bullets. I mounted a scope and proceeded to sight the rifle in. :shock: GREAT GOOGAMOOGA! That thing flat out kicked the holy living snot out of me. I did get it sighted in but groups were not all that good, probably because I was fighting a very nasty flinch. Muzzle blast was very concussive. I got my gunsmith to restock the gun in a nice Mannlicher style stock but that was no help at all. Come my birthday, my kids got me a set of hearing muffs to replace the cotton balls that were not working all that well, at least with that short barreled .308. I figured I'd give them a try and WOW! Where did the kick go? Did I goof up and grab a box of my lighter plinking rounds? Nope, they were the full power go all the way romper-stomper deer loads that had that very loud boom and very bright muzzle flash so easily seen in broad daylight. The original M660 stock and the custom Mannlicher stock are long gone, replaced by a very lightweight early H&S Precision Fiberthane stock and that rifle is a supreme joy to carry whether out in the desert or way up on some high mountain. These days I wear shooting muffs on a hunt that are wired with sound. I've lost way too much of my hearing in the high frequency range so am trying to save what little I have left. Besides, at 30*F with the wind creating a wind chill of -25* those muffs do a decent job of keeping the ears warm. :lol: You're right though. Loud muzzle blasts do exacerbate flinching.
Paul B.

 

[DrMike]

Oh, yeah, the 660 was a vicious little thing--though less vicious than the 600. It can get your attention.

 

[Darkhorse]

I agree with Wildgene 100% on muzzle blast and concussion contributing to felt recoil and the resultant problems. That's why for the last 30 odd years I insist on anyone who wants me to train them, wear hearing protection of some sort. I personally wear EAR plugs and a set of muffs combined.
But my ears still ring pretty bad after all these years.
I've learned over the years to handle the recoil off the bench without going too far. When a rifle just kicks that bad I do something about it before the next range trip.
The worst kicker I have right now is a Browning Maxus, 3 1/2" magnum shooting heavy Turkey loads. It is not pleasant but every year I sight it in with Fiber Optics for Turkey season.
About 15 years ago I decided I wanted to do a Blackpowder elk hunt. Possibly with horses. So I built a .54 Flintlock. This was not really a kit but a set of high quality parts I ordered to the tune of around $800. for stock and parts alone. Then 100 hours or more to complete the rifle.
When finished I was practicing at 100 yards. Load was 230 gr. roundball and 110 grains of 2fg., my elk load. The rifle shot pretty good offhand due in part to the stock being fit to me during the build. Then I decided to shoot sitting with shooting sticks. Wow! First shot hurt. Really hurt. The next shot not only hurt but bruised my cheek. It throbbed until I could get ice on it and was sore days later.
I varied from form and didn't get a good grip on the forend and payed for it. Lesson learned.
BTW I never got drawn for the ML elk tag.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Yeah worst gun I ever shot is a Savage 99 in 308 with a 18.5" barrel at 5-5.5# that little devil will stomp you like an elephant. It's not fun for me.

 

[tim629]

since i often shoot alone one thing I will do to check for a flinch is dry-fire a few times, some dry firing and a .22 are a good way for me to pass time between groups while letting the barrel cool.

I agree with others about muzzle blast, the remington mohawk 700 in .243 was my first deer rifle and I think if I had worn more than just earplugs it could have helped reduce the mental felt recoil at the age of 12. today except while hunting or shooting the .22 I use ear plugs and earmuffs (.22 is usually just plugs or muffs unless i'm shooting the others too)