Shotgun recoil reduction ideas

[Mike1979]

So....before we start I'm of slight build (more meat on a butchers pencil) so I feel recoil maybe more then those who are of normal build.

After a couple of weekends where I have been shooting 150+ crows I feel like someone has given my shoulder a severe bashing. I appreciate that using Pigeon HV 32gram cartridges probably doesnt really help but after some suggestions from those who have fitted a recoil reducer pad to their shotguns. I dont mind the aesthetic aspect so much as comfort so happy with a slip over pad or similar.

I have an O/U which has much more felt recoil than the Winchester SXP but the SXP is old and battered and having a few issues so trying to use the O/U as much as I can.

Experience and advice well received ...buy lighter cartridges and a semi auto are not welcome comments though as the bank balance will not appreciate that

 

[Merlyn]

You are possibly wearing less clothing in this hot weather, which changes the fit of your gun?

 

[B&W FOX]

Hull Pro Fibre cartridges

A shooting instructor put my grandson on these. I've shot a few and they are super smooth.

 

[tackb]

it's largely physics mate , things that increase actual recoil - higher velocity , heavier charge , lighter gun
things that reduce actual recoil - lower velocity , lighter charge , heavier gun

things that increase felt recoil - badly fitted gun , hard buttplate , poor gun mounting
things that decrease felt recoil- well fitted gun , good recoil pad , consistent good gun mount

so from that , get your gun well fitted and make sure you are mounting it well , use a lighter shot load at a more standard velocity and a nice recoil pad.

in addition to this there is a lot of recoil reducers from systems that fit in the butt to things like longer forcing cones and back bored barrels etc

try using an ounce of shot in a cheap cartridge at normal velocity , i struggle personally with this because my go to is 32gr 5 shot for all my game shooting and as soon as i miss one i immediately blame the cartridge which is just silly so it's all about mindset in that regard

 

[Mike1979]

You are possibly wearing less clothing in this hot weather, which changes the fit of your gun?

Very true...thick fleece isnt an option at the mo

 

[Mike1979]

Hull Pro Fibre cartridges

A shooting instructor put my grandson on these. I've shot a few and they are super smooth.

I think the Pigeon HV will be gone soon enough so will shift back to a lighter load

 

[Mike1979]

it's largely physics mate , things that increase actual recoil - higher velocity , heavier charge , lighter gun
things that reduce actual recoil - lower velocity , lighter charge , heavier gun

things that increase felt recoil - badly fitted gun , hard buttplate , poor gun mounting
things that decrease felt recoil- well fitted gun , good recoil pad , consistent good gun mount

so from that , get your gun well fitted and make sure you are mounting it well , use a lighter shot load at a more standard velocity and a nice recoil pad.

in addition to this there is a lot of recoil reducers from systems that fit in the butt to things like longer forcing cones and back bored barrels etc

try using an ounce of shot in a cheap cartridge at normal velocity , i struggle personally with this because my go to is 32gr 5 shot for all my game shooting and as soon as i miss one i immediately blame the cartridge which is just silly so it's all about mindset in that regard

Cheers for the response and confirming my initial thoughts. I suppose with the shotgun I have always bought cheap rather then based on fit and with the hot weather, thin t shirt and 250+ shots over a weekend its taken its tole on my skinny shoulder....

Bit of a rethink and maybe something for the X mas list

 

[tackb]

Cheers for the response and confirming my initial thoughts. I suppose with the shotgun I have always bought cheap rather then based on fit and with the hot weather, thin t shirt and 250+ shots over a weekend its taken its tole on my skinny shoulder....

Bit of a rethink and maybe something for the X mas list

you could always eat more ?

i did 500 cartridges in a day on a sim shoot a couple of weeks ago and i used 21gr loads but i knew i'd done it the following day and my gun fits and is fitted with a recoil pad and is a 32'' browning GTI so no lightweight (like me )

 

[Mike1979]

you could always eat more ?

i did 500 cartridges in a day on a sim shoot a couple of weeks ago and i used 21gr loads but i knew i'd done it the following day and my gun fits and is fitted with a recoil pad and is a 32'' browning GTI so no lightweight (like me )

Ive been trying for 46 years mate and it makes sod all difference.

If I buy a really heavy gun it will be like a work out which will help me with deer extraction ...win win

 

[Tim.243]

So....before we start I'm of slight build (more meat on a butchers pencil) so I feel recoil maybe more then those who are of normal build.

After a couple of weekends where I have been shooting 150+ crows I feel like someone has given my shoulder a severe bashing. I appreciate that using Pigeon HV 32gram cartridges probably doesnt really help but after some suggestions from those who have fitted a recoil reducer pad to their shotguns. I dont mind the aesthetic aspect so much as comfort so happy with a slip over pad or similar.

I have an O/U which has much more felt recoil than the Winchester SXP but the SXP is old and battered and having a few issues so trying to use the O/U as much as I can.

Experience and advice well received ...buy lighter cartridges and a semi auto are not welcome comments though as the bank balance will not appreciate that

go down the gym, eat more red meat, use a 29/30 gm cartridge (shape up) stop using the HV rounds, pick the closer ones with a lighter round

 

[Mike1979]

go down the gym, eat more red meat, use a 29/30 gm cartridge (shape up) stop using the HV rounds, pick the closer ones with a lighter round

In order of your points Tim:

Got better things to be doing and a little limited on amenities where I live
My diet consists of pork or venison for most meals
Agreed
Agreed

 

[Tim.243]

In order of your points Tim:

Got better things to be doing and a little limited on amenities where I live
My diet consists of pork or venison for most meals
Agreed
Agreed

Points mean prizes sounds like a few sheets of green shield stamps for your book. Or get your Hot shot mate down
A 150 bird day is close to 200 rounds so you will be smacking your shoulder, the nicest round I use is a hull paper cased 30gm in fibre as I was given 1500.

 

[Mike1979]

Points mean prizes sounds like a few sheets of green shield stamps for your book. Or get your Hot shot mate down
A 150 bird day is close to 200 rounds so you will be smacking your shoulder, the nicest round I use is a hull paper cased 30gm in fibre as I was given 1500.

Thanks Tim. I do try my best not to miss many but some sessions are better then others. 332 birds over 2 weekends , have to keep the farmers happy and adore being out. Corvid shooting has to be the one that I enjoy the most, variety of approaches and speeds makes it challenging and when they want to come in boy do they If the next month goes the way of the last few weeks the Pigeon HV will be gone and back to some 30 gram cartridges

 

[Bowland blades]

Add weight to the gun , make sure the LOP is not to short ( you can add some in different ways ) . shoot lighter loads , Light weight 12 ga pumps can be brutal . I used to add weight to my Double barrelled big bore goose guns mixing small lead shot and epoxy. If you notice any more than a gentle nudge , your shooting is suffering not just your shoulder. Other than that its gun-fit

 

[Mike1979]

Add weight to the gun , make sure the LOP is not to short ( you can add some in different ways ) . shoot lighter loads , Light weight 12 ga pumps can be brutal . I used to add weight to my Double barrelled big bore goose guns mixing small lead shot and epoxy. If you notice any more than a gentle nudge , your shooting is suffering not just your shoulder. Other than that its gun-fit

Thanks for the response. I have long arms so gun fit has never been great...but never "justified" doing anything about it...maybe nows the time.

 

[cjm1066]

Try a Caldwell Recoil Shield, £30 and just protects the shoulder, coller that a Skeet vest.

 

[Mike1979]

Try a Caldwell Recoil Shield, £30 and just protects the shoulder, coller that a Skeet vest.

Cheers for the response. I think I might try something like that short term as Ive still got 2 slabs to go

 

[Rasputin]

Get a heavy gun. Heavier the better if it’s ou or a semi if you still want it light. I struggle badly with recoil after a number of operations it’s why I started shooting a 28b with 15g carts.

 

[Mike1979]

Get a heavy gun. Heavier the better if it’s ou or a semi if you still want it light. I struggle badly with recoil after a number of operations it’s why I started shooting a 28b with 15g carts.

Cheers As mentioned I think its the perfect storm of clothing, heavy carts, less then perfect fit and no of shots.

 

[Home Loader]

I got a Musto recoil pad for shooting post shoulder surgery, it’s only thin not sure what the technology is but it help me greatly. You wear it opposed to being on the gun, you may find it makes up for the reduced clothing in the summer.