ORIGINAL: Anthony T.
I agree, ear protection will help alot. Also, try to hold your mouth slightly open, as this will make it hard to flinch. Seriously! Also, try some shooting with a freind, having them load the gun hot sometimes and empty sometimes. This will fix you up man. And yea, use small rifles for the job. It takes time to correct also.
After you have mastered practicing with the dry firing of your weapon to master the feel of your trigger break (as recommended by
bigbulls, the method described above by
Anthony T. is the most effective way to beat this foe.
I'd recommend doing this drill with the .22 and move up to the next bigger caliber when the .22 flinch is extinguished. It'll cost you a little ammo, but well worth it to be able torelax again with your guns.
Excellent ear and eye protection are a must to help you relax.
I always shoot with foam ear puffs AND muff. Makes it very quiet so I can concentrate.