Recoil Management Training..
 

I have read about this now and then on this forum and I have no idea what is invovled.

Can anybody enlighten me on what is invovled?

Thanks.

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

One method that I've seen used is to have someone else loading the gun behind the shooter's back. He then hands the "loaded" gun to the shooter. Sometimes the gun has a cartridge in it, sometimes it doesn't. It becomes quickly apparent when you have a click on an empty chamber and the shooter flinches that you have an issue. Keep it up until the shooter doesn't flinch on an empty chamber. That means that they aren't flinching on the real thing either. It is a very effective method IME. Sometimes you don't realize that you are flinching until you try this.

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

Most folks rely upon the"school of hard knocks" and/or the "just take it" approach, IMO an almost sure fire spiral into "recoil sensitivity" except for the hardiest of souls....

The "is it loaded or is it empty?" drill mentioned aboveis a great tool, especially for breaking someone of a flinch (which should have never happened in the first place if the candidate made it past first base) or a "check up" as one flirts with the friskier cartridges and is expanding one's"comfort range."

That said, as useful as the technique may be, IMHO it pretty much lies just outside the realm of fundamental recoil management traiining, i.e.

** Informed, hands on, thirdparty guidance,
** Physiology,
** Mechanics and Physics,
** Psychology,
** Execution.

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

I really can't see this managing recoil, all its going to do is identify a flinch. The body is affected by recoil. Anyone that says they can shoot all day long with no affect by recoil is full of crap.

Recoil is punishing, the body does not like it. Just like reloading, you need to work yourself up slowly, if you push it too hard too fast, you induce flinching. Take it slow and shoot more here and there, either increasing the recoil or number of rounds fired.

If you keep telling yourself don't flinch, don't flinch, don't flinch, guess what will happen? You will flinch. Work on basic fundamentals and shooting technique. Shoot the big boomers offhand. Your body will rock with the recoil and it will not be as bad as sitting at the bench.

Recoil is only part of the cause of flinching, muzzleblast and noise can also lead to flinching. Some of the bird cage muzzlebrakes can cause flinching when the pressure wave hits the shooter. It's different and not something that everyone is used to.

Remember, start low and work your way up.

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

The above is certainly true, though going to the far, far extreme to make a point muddies the issue somewhat.
The question is how to best manage the recoil of the friskier cartridges.
The friskier cartridges are not gallery guns and you are NOT going to shoot them "all day long."
The question is "how are you going to shoot them enough and well" in order to get the job done.

It is true, if you are sitting there saying, "don't flinch, don't flinch, don't flinch" you are screwed. All that is, is hoping to move away from something you don't like, rather that moving towards something that is positive.

** Informed, hands on, thirdparty guidance,
** Physiology,
** Mechanics and Physics,
** Psychology,
** Execution.

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

Maybe I don't understand the question. If you are just looking to build your body up to be able to withstand heavy recoil then work out in the gym and shoota bunch of the cheapest magnum ammo you can find. Have someone punch you in theshoulder a bunch of times in a row.

If you want to shoot a largecaliber rifle as accurately as possible then I think you want to focuselsewhere.

The loaded or not demonstration isn't really an issue of saying "don't flinch, don't flinch, don't flinch". It is saying, focus on the trigger pull and clear your mind. Don't worry about the recoil.

Another trick that I use is shooting .17HMR and .22LR and concentrating on continuing to look at the target through the scope as I pull the trigger and trying to see where the bullet hits. This is really enjoyable with prarrie dogs as you can watchthrough the scope as the bullethits them. With the recoil of a larger gun I don't seem to be able to hold myself or the gun still enough to keep looking through the scope after the gun goes off, but I think it helps train you to keep your eye open and not flinch.

I do think the limbsaver recoil pads and a rifle that fits you well are very helpful in felt recoil as well.

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

Since I have no clue what recoil management training is I can only guess. After teaching several young boys how to shoot I have my own method for 'training' that, given their results apparently works.
I started them out with rimfires and smaller center fire rifles. Hours of shooting prairie dogs and concentrating on watching the hits thru the scope. Moved up to larger guns using the same technique and finally working them into suitable large deer and elk cartridges.

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

I did this with a 11 year old last year, his yuppy parents gave him a 270 and they didn't know how to shoot. It worked great and the kids was shooting like a pro in no time.

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

Correct

Correct.

IMO, physical strength or conditioning to "take a beating" are not required. Being tough and durable certainly don't hurt but is not a requisite. On the other hand a failingbody DOES pose a problem.

Theprimary factor and the one left largely unaddressed isthe psychological aspect, including the "battle within."

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

Okay, I just thought of one more tip. Use ear protection! Aspreviously mentioned flinching can be caused by things other than actual recoil like the loud bang when you pull the trigger. Using good ear protection at the range can minimize this. Not recoil management at all, but it can make you a more accurate shooter IMO.

As to the battle within I'm not sure how to help with that. I've always been one to state that "if you think you are cold then you ARE cold." The mind is a very powerful tool. Having a game or goal on your shooting can help when shooting paper a lot. Keep your mind focused on something other than the recoil.

Of course the largest caliber I've shot is a .338 win mag, and am happy with 2" groups at 100 yards so I'm not an expert by any means. I'm just sharing specific examples of things that have made me a better shooter.

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

Correct, though I would recommend hearing protection with a 22LR.

Especially if you are sighting in off ofa bench rest, I'd recommend plugsAND muffs. Not only does it do a superb job of reducing muzzle blast, it also blocks just about everything else going on around you (sound wise). Since you are in your own little world, this lets you settle into better managing the all important"battle within." It also lets you realize at a basic level that recoil is the thump on your shoulder not the bang in your ears.

That said, once your "frisky cartridge" rifle is sighted in you should not be shooting off of the bench at all.... field positions are what counts.... not many bench rests in the elk woods, though a side bracingoff ofan aspen is a close second.

** Informed, hands on, thirdparty guidance,
** Physiology,
** Mechanics and Physics,
** Psychology,
** Execution

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

The biggest problem I see with "recoil management" is that "new" shooters get a .22, slap a scope on it and shoot decent groups at 50 yards. They graduate to something larger, perhaps a 270, shoot decent groups (usually by accident) and deem their "skills" sufficient to shoot a real gun. When shooting a larger caliber, the results are predictable and usually painful. If lucky, scope bite, etc, if not, separated shoulders, detached retina etc. I don't see alot of people shooting a 22 that fits them, much less a larger caliber. The most important part of recoil management is GUN FIT, and the second is training by a qualified individual. Shooting the big boys is ENTIRELY different than shooting a .30-06. Over on AR, there are dozens of guys shooting the 600OK, which generates 250 ft/lbs of recoil!!! That is a bit more than the 18 ft/lbs from the '06. You can't learn the techniques on your own, or from the internet. Make sure your firearm is set up for YOUR body and get instruction from a professional.

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RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

agree with what has been said to this point, would add one thing:

Suck it up and shoot it. I know that sounds condesending, but I don't mean it to be. Let me draw an analogy.

I coach Mighty Mite football. I have a kid on my team that is head and shoulders bigger than the rest of the team. He hits hard and likes it. The rest of the team was scared to death of him. I heard them all talking about how they didn't want to be hit by him. I nipped it right then. I lined them all up and one at a time they tried to run the ball past him. They all got a taste of being hit. When it was all done, I said: "Amazing, none of you died!"... " the way you all talked I was sure he'd kill one of you" one kid (smallest on the team) said: "it wasn't even that bad."

My point is our minds can make the task seem a lot harder than it really is. I've had a few people shoot my 338 and afterward say "heck that doesn't kick as bad as I imagined". EXACTLY!! Some recoil is real, and even more is imagined. Just food for thought.

RE: Recoil Management Training..
 

I appreciate a "go get'um" attitude, it goes a long ways towards accomplishing a lot of things. Sounds like a seasoned elk hunter.
That said, as one starts moving up into the "thumpers," IMO the ole "just give it a go" without picking up the fundamentals of recoil managementis an invitation to get started off on the wrong foot and end up where you don't want to be.

Once you're familiar with a new thumper and have plateaued, then get casual.
Conversely, if you are expanding your envelope, I'd recommend you do so with the odds in your favor.
That is, if you don't want to just leave it to chance.