1) Shoot a smaller caliber rifle.

2) Install a good recoil pad, something like a sims.

3) Have the trigger worked over, its not as easy to flinch with a ligher trigger because it doesn't take as much force to make the gun go off. Down side NEVER put your finger on the trigger until your ready to shoot.

4) Get a rifle that is heavier. it is a proven fact that a heavier rifle is steadier. Its harder to pulll a heavier rifle off the target if you do flinch. I shoot a savage 243 model 12 varmit rifle with accu trigger and I love that gun. It weights 8.75 lbs bare. lots of people don't want to carry the extra weight. Don't know about you, but I can carry a gun that weights a extra 2 or 3 lbs (3 lbs, big deal), especially if it gives me the confidence I need! If you don't want a 26" barrel, look at Weatherby. They make a varmit gun with a shorter barrel.

5) Spent a lot of time at the range. Every year I see guys show up at a range the weekend before season to check thier rifles and they couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. They hunt with them like that to! I ususally take and only shoot a few rounds once a week dureing the summer and early fall.I work on form and squeezeing the trigger. Practice shooting in positions that your going to be shooting in the field. Any moron can hit a bullseye with the rests they make today, but shooting in the field when your out hunting is different.