Sore Shoulder

Jeff Reardon

Jeff Reardon

Well-known member
Supporter
Just back from the local gravel pit/shooting range to check the scope on my 30-06. This is an actual gravel pit that used to be heavily used by the "shoot up glass and cans" crowd. The local game warden stepped in when the landowner was ready to close it, got some local kids to help clean it up, put up some signs for safety and installed some wooden shooting benches.

It's still a zoo on weekends. I've gone by at least a half dozen times this summer, and never felt safe stepping into the unmanaged crowd that often has multiple shooters at each shooting station, most shooting high capacity handguns or semi-autos. But I had it to myself tonight.

I haven't shot the rifle in at least a couple of years--not since I last deer hunted. And I don't shoot rifles much and should be considered pretty much a novice.

But, I need to be ready for the zombie apocalypse, or the equally unlikely scenario in which I get drawn for a moose permit, so I need to check the scope occasionally . . . . .

It took me several shots just to get on paper, and then more shots than it should have to get the scope dialed in to anything like accurate. I finished with a 5 shot group in about an inch and a half at the 200 foot max range this pit allows, which is pretty good for me, but the 15 rounds before that took a lot out of me.

In a month or so I'll be ready to take it over to the 100 yard range at the local rifle club for fine-tuning.

Can I go back to nice light duck loads now, please?
 
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i am not recoil sensitive, but every now and then i go to the range and put a box or two through my 06 Ruger M77 ultralight-

i hear ya
 
Hey Jeff,
"Can I go back to nice light duck loads now, please?" I think that would be an easy thing to do if you shoot what I do. 2 3/4", 7 shot steel Dove loads.

I sure hope you are drawn for a moose permit. Best of luck.
Al
 
I use the public range at Sumerhaven. It also be a zoo, but after work it is normally not too bad. I try to avoid weekends.
I hear you on the recoil. It is not a big problem for me but I am very aware of it with my son Philip. I normally get the reduced recoil loads (270) for practice, and then just before deer season adjust the sights to the full power loads for him. I see no advantage beating him up practicing. I know when the time comes for him to shoot the full power load at a deer he will be amped up enough to not even notice the recoil.
Did you get my private message?
 
limbsaver recoil pads work wonders. If nothing else roll up rifle case and place between shoulder and butt. It helps somewhat. Use to do that a lot sighting in friends rifles that weren,t equiped w/ recoil pads in past years.
 
I use the public range at Sumerhaven. It also be a zoo, but after work it is normally not too bad. I try to avoid weekends.
I hear you on the recoil. It is not a big problem for me but I am very aware of it with my son Philip. I normally get the reduced recoil loads (270) for practice, and then just before deer season adjust the sights to the full power loads for him. I see no advantage beating him up practicing. I know when the time comes for him to shoot the full power load at a deer he will be amped up enough to not even notice the recoil.
Did you get my private message?
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Dave, got your message and sent you a reply a few days ago. Want to see the photos! I was at Summerhaven tonight, and it's nice with no crowd.
 
After shooting over a deer in SD that was ranged at 365yd. I need to get to the gun club with my .270 to get some long range practice too. I have shot deer at over 400 yds. but it has been too many years of 35/55 yd. shots and then off to the garage to butcher. Kind of a wake up to not see anything closer than 200/250 yd.
 
After shooting over a deer in SD that was ranged at 365yd. I need to get to the gun club with my .270 to get some long range practice too. I have shot deer at over 400 yds. but it has been too many years of 35/55 yd. shots and then off to the garage to butcher. Kind of a wake up to not see anything closer than 200/250 yd.
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John, I can't think of anywhere I hunt where I could even see a deer much more than 100 yards from me. I know a few guys who hunt powerline corridors who take some longer shots, but now that harvesting practices have moved away from clear cuts and our north woods deer numbers are way down, most Maine deer are taken in the woods where 50 yards is a long shot. Probably silly to hunt with a scoped 30-06. A 30-30 with good iron sights might be a better choice, but I've only got the one rifle, and I'll want the extra oomph and the scope if I ever draw a moose permit.

Mostly the rifle sits in the safe during deer season while I celebrate how empty all my duck spots get around November 1.
 
Jeff,

I don't live in a rifle state anymore but through the years I have sighted in quite a few deer rifles and even more slug guns. There were days that I would sight in 4 or 5 guns. I use a piece of foam between my shoulder and the stock for doing that shooting. It is a piece of a foam I cut out of a foam hunting seat cushion. The scopes are mounted on the guns and eye relief adjusted without the foam pad, but I can move my head up on the stock and with the cushion I don't get beat up at all.
 
I hate rifle recoil.
Which is why I now shoot a 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, kicks less than a 30-30 with the ballistics of a .270. And tt turns 100 years old in 2017, still in full military issue condition, which makes it pretty cool too.
If I ever buy a new deer rifle, which is highly unlikely, it will be a 7mm-08.
 
If you are ever in Ohio swing by and I will let you shoot my .444 marlin. That will teach you what you need to know about recoil! Lol.

I shoot off of a lead sled. I never feel recoil when hunting, but man on the bench it can be something else. But I am used to slug guns as well, which are much worse.

Since Ohio started allowing straight wall cartridge rifles I only use slugs when forced to at controlled hunts.
 
Yes Kevin, I agree the lead sleds are great! Since this is a (duck)boating forum, I have to mention that a seat cushion (type IV PFD) between your shoulder and the rifle is very acceptable when sighting in.

For a small state we have a pretty good deer program. Liberal limits and we can use rifles on larger private property. For low recoil I enjoy a Remington 700 mountain rifle in 7 x 57 mauser that was my dad's. With 140 gr. soft points it's big medicine on the swamp donkey.
 
Thanks all. You have me reconsidering my choice 5 years ago that the one rifle in my arsenal (other than a cool little Winchester pump .22) should be a 30-06. But reality is that if I deer hunt 2 days a season that's a lot, and I really have the rifle in case I ever draw a moose permit so I can go harvest a nice young bull or tender cow and fill the freezer with the world's best stew meat. Most lighter recoil rounds would be less than I'd want for moose. (I actually wanted a .308, which would be a little lighter, but couldn't find one in my price range when the -06 became available.)

Scott--by "swamp donkey" do you mean deer? Up here, "swamp donkey" is a dark brown critter that is tall enough to come over the hood of the truck and into the windshield when you hit one. I'm told that in Scandinavia a lot of moose hunters use 6.5 X 55's for moose, but the lightest recommended over here seems to be about .270, with some "authorities" suggesting that's a little light.
 
I've shot a Remington BDL 6mm every deer season since 1968. I was taught if your afraid of your gun/recoil sighting in, it's seldom a plus in hunting situations. I am a Meat Hunter, in deer season and prefer Venison over beef any day. When a heart/lung shot presents itself I slowly ease off the safety, as that is my shot with my rifle. If due to angle, I take out the opposite shoulder I'm not happy... I love a well trimmed shoulder roast.

Many years of 6 day's a week groundhog hunting, with a 243, and 257 Roberts was much better than shooting range practice. Each shot got walked off and each hit and miss got discussed in detail.

I am considering a 25-06 as a Far Reacher, as it suits some of my current white tail hunting better than anything else.

Thank goodness the county where I live in western NY went rifle the year I moved up here. Never shot a deer with a "Shoot Gun" in 50 seasons, and have no intention to start now. Muzzle loaders now a day work much better.

Once in a while I still hunt with my TC Hawken .50 flintlock just to keep my edge when I'm hungry. I always still hunt and have never shot a deer from a tree stand. That's how I was taught and I stick with it.

To each their own. "Deer hunting shows", with their high fives and terminology I have no use for.
 
by "swamp donkey" do you mean deer? Up here, "swamp donkey" is a dark brown critter that is tall enough to come over the hood of the truck and into the windshield when you hit one. I'm told that in Scandinavia a lot of moose hunters use 6.5 X 55's for moose, but the lightest recommended over here seems to be about .270, with some "authorities" suggesting that's a little light.
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Yeah, in CT the swamp donkey is a large buck. I agree though, the real SD is the moose. Having lived in Presque Isle for a few years, and with the family camp near Millinocket I've had some experience with the beasts. They sure are impressive up close. We've been lucky not to take one through the windshield after a few near misses at 0-dark thirty.

As for the 7x57, I haven't shot a moose with it but I would suggest that as with anything short of a cannon shot placement is key. From personal experience I know a deer can be crippled with a 7mm Rem. mag, all it takes is a couple inches high. Then you enjoy a mile trail with a reciprocal drag as icing on the cake.

Another thing I like about the 7x57, .243, 7-08 etc. is that to my ear they tend to "boom" rather than thunderclap when you touch it off. IMO, a tad better for neighborhood relations at daybreak. Of course, I'm close to deaf after a couple million rounds, as my wife reminds me every time I miss a honeydoo order. ;-)
 
I'm with you Vince, deer were designed to be hunted with rifles. I have taken a few with a smoothbore, but only when forced by the regs.
 
one of my deer rifles - no recoil of note

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