Thread: Managing recoil for a rookie shooter

Load the rifle forwards slightly, especially against a bipod, get as square to the rifle as possible and gently pull the rifle straight back into you as you get ready to start your breathing sequence. I shout right handed so my left hand is under the rear of the stock holding/adjusting my rear bag. That’s the best way I’ve found to absorb recoil. A suppressor fitted to your 243 with take away almost all recoil

It is not in the mind,but in the nervous system. Our ns is not equiped to handle loud bangs and will get antsy. Learning how to settle the ns is a whole book in itself. If you are phobic about anything, this is an indication that your ns is antsy. You must learn to quieten it,teach it that a loud bang is no big deal. Do this by shooting .22 as suggested above, air rifle, subloads. Also, take someone to the range with you for reloading your gun. Have them sometime NOT chamber a round and you will your flinch and so will everyone else. Very humiliating. And a good starting point to work on your ns

Also, if you are trhing to get accurate on the range, FOCUS ON THE CROSS HAIRS OR FRONT SIGHT, not on the target. Lining up the sights on the target only goes for shooting animals where you have to track the movement of the animal. But on the range,concentrate on the correct focus of your sights and accept the target as a grey blur in your vision.

Originally Posted by makka

Sounds like he is having more trouble with the muzzle jump (from a poor fitting rifle maybe?) than the actual recoil as such
@Tall kiwi, what rifle is it?

@Bos - The recoil isn't the problem, its the muzzle jump as makka mentioned.

As a new shooter, I wasn't sure if I should let the muzzle jump up when firing or I try wrangle the front end so it doesn't jump up. I've had plenty of tips from others so plan on trying the different methods next time I get the rifle out.

@makka, its a .243 Howa 1500. The stock LOP is too short for me and comb too low so plan on getting some spacers fitted.

Originally Posted by Longrun

I got muzzle jump and poor results from 'self hug' method. I hold the forewood and get acceptable results. I might re-visit the 'hug me' method some time for experience as I found the stability on target good pre shot.

I used to use the self hug method with my Howa 243, but that thing weighed a lot (Hogue stock, 24" barrel, suppressor). So it didn't really matter. But when I moved to my Ruger 300BLK (16" barrel, lightweight plastic stock) it was a effing disaster.

I teach my lads to focus on their breathing, breath through the shot and squeeze the trigger. If they're doing that they don't have time to be worried about recoil.

Yeah, I think I'll revisit it with my smaller guns. 250 savage and grendel.

It's been said before in this thread but bares repeating. Stock shape and fit have the greatest influence in felt recoil and muzzle flip.

"The other thing is the physics of firing the rifle - E=MC2 in other words thanks Einstein. For us, the heavier the pill and bigger the case combined with the lighter the rifle the more recoil we feel. Or, the lighter and slower the pill with a heavy rifle - the less recoil we feel. Increasing the weight of the firearm reduces the recoil, all other things being equal."

Yep, try taking the recoil pad off and shove a sock full of lead shot into the stock. That will help.

For me, springer air rifles are all about the artillary hold (let the fore end slide, don't grip)
Centre fires I hold the fore end & press lightly back so as the butt is into the shoulder, snug. The trigger grip I bearly hold this too tight will throw the rifle off, body position has to be balanced and not forced or reaching in any way, totally relaxed. I view the target, and often if not comfy close eyes and take a second take, I use both eyes open, move my head around to check for any parralax, movement of the crosshairs on the target, make sure you are getting a full sight picture threw the scope. Then controlled squeeze of the trigger with breathing the beginning of breathing out. Easy Peasy

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

"The other thing is the physics of firing the rifle - E=MC2 in other words thanks Einstein. For us, the heavier the pill and bigger the case combined with the lighter the rifle the more recoil we feel. Or, the lighter and slower the pill with a heavy rifle - the less recoil we feel. Increasing the weight of the firearm reduces the recoil, all other things being equal."

Yep, try taking the recoil pad off and shove a sock full of lead shot into the stock. That will help.

Not sure Einsteins theory of relativity is that applicable here. Newtons third law of motion might fit better- "every action has an equal and apposite reaction"

A couple of youtube clips you might find usefull

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hh42VNxFkg&t=3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kw38yOSU_8&t=3s

My 12yr old shoots his .243 with dpt suppressor and youth stock on it ,reakons his 20g shotgun has more recoil,shooting 85g bullets.