Originally Posted by Oldtimr

What grn bullets are you shooting. A .270 shouldn't be hurting you if you hold the gun correctly. It sounds to me like you are taking the recoil on your collar bone which has very little flesh to absorb the recoil. If that is what is happening to you you are holding the gun too high. Since the picture you showed is not you it is hard to say but it sure sounds like you are holding your gun wrong. Extend your left arm out in front of you if you are right handed, the opposite arm if you are left handed. then with your left hand feel for the pocket between your pectoral and your shoulder. That is where your butt stock should sit, it doesn't matter if you have to lay your cheek down on the stock to see the sights or scope, that is normal. Since no two people are build exactly the same you will have to experiment to find your sweet spot and then practice enough to develop muscle memory so every time you raise your rifle it goes to the same place.