Recoil, Felt,Perceived or...

[Dunxy]

Well as most know im a new shooter, so up until a few weeks ago id never even shot any centrefire.

First time I shot my Swede i put 8 rounds through it in about 2 minutes, prone with bags and was no pain.

Second time shooting it was at range, from bench with front rest and rear bag, dont know if I got slapped bad first shot or what but she hurt most shots, which kind of puzzled me!

A week later I drag an experienced mate to range with me with a selection of calibers to play with from his safe.First cab of the rank was a 270 (m70 or something) hed always claimed it kicked pretty hard, he took 2 or 3 shots then said "thats enough" and it was my turn, i put 2 box's through it no dramas! He wouldn't even shoot his 303, I put at least a box through that as well and even with metal butt plate, found it nicer to shoot than my m96.

Do you guys thin you develop a tolerance to recoil?

Or it it more maybe improved technique reducing "perceived" recoil?

My mate hasnt shot anything other than air rifles for 10 years ish, is he un-conditioned or just a sook?

I always thought shooting prone was supposed to be the most punishing so ive been puzzled why i seem to be getting beat up so much shooting from the bench? I try discussing it with my mate, who can be a bit tardo sometimes and he just says "Its gun magic, don't try to figure it out!" but i dont believe in magic, just physics!

[marksman]

improved technique, shooting off a bench, firearm weight and stock shape all comes into it
I have found that females are easier to teach to shoot as they just seem to roll with recoil so they are easier to teach to shoot better but blokes will have a death hold and stiffen up that much trying so hard to manly control the recoil that they cant just go with it (if that's a good way to try explain it) I have found in bigger kickers that I have shot the rifles seem to push you not a sharp kick and although I do believe in holding that forearm and having the stock tight into your shoulder you are better to relax while squeezing the trigger,
I could go on and on about technique and the best stock shape ect.. but IMO if you can benefit more to learn to roll with the recoil to start with

[Daddybang]

improved technique, shooting off a bench, firearm weight and stock shape all comes into it
I have found that females are easier to teach to shoot as they just seem to roll with recoil so they are easier to teach to shoot better but blokes will have a death hold and stiffen up that much trying so hard to manly control the recoil that they cant just go with it (if that's a good way to try explain it) I have found in bigger kickers that I have shot the rifles seem to push you not a sharp kick and although I do believe in holding that forearm and having the stock tight into your shoulder you are better to relax while squeezing the trigger,
I could go on and on about technique and the best stock shape ect.. but IMO if you can benefit more to learn to roll with the recoil to start with

+one

[Supaduke]

Recoil tolerance begins in the testicular region. Then, as mentioned, it's about technique. I think some guys just psych themselves out before they even pull the trigger. The only way to develop better technique is to put rounds down range.

[sungazer]

Also how the rifle is held makes a big difference. There are quite a few who put the butt on there shoulder or even bicep.

[deanp100]

Some people react diiferently to noise, shock and impact. The sooks who can't handle recoil might be able to skydive while laughing, while you snivel in the back of the plane. The recoil shy guy might be the one who rushes the machine gun post.

[darwindingo]

Recoil tolerance begins in the testicular region. Then, as mentioned, it's about technique. I think some guys just psych themselves out before they even pull the trigger. The only way to develop better technique is to put rounds down range.

Technique is certainly a significant factor imo and plenty of trigger time is the way to develop that, but It does seem to be different for everyone, I've seen some "big tough blokes" that would close their eyes as pulling the trigger in anticipation and some petite little chicks that don't seem to be phased at all (looking forward to it if anything). I do believe that even those that struggle with it can build a tolerance with enough trigger time. Its not something to be ashamed of, just something to work on..

The first experience shooting my wife had was a .458 with 500gn'ers didn't bother her at all she loved it, kept hassling me for more shots .. The missus actually shot better groups than some blokes I had taken out a dozen times

Personally recoil is one of things I enjoy most about shooting, always leaves me wanting more...

[brett1868]

Recoil tolerance begins in the testicular region. Then, as mentioned, it's about technique. I think some guys just psych themselves out before they even pull the trigger. The only way to develop better technique is to put rounds down range.

I'm set, mine are the size of coconuts...One of the many joys of getting older

[Bigjobss]

Recoil tolerance begins in the testicular region. Then, as mentioned, it's about technique. I think some guys just psych themselves out before they even pull the trigger. The only way to develop better technique is to put rounds down range.

Technique is certainly a significant factor imo and plenty of trigger time is the way to develop that, but It does seem to be different for everyone, I've seen some "big tough blokes" that would close their eyes as pulling the trigger in anticipation and some petite little chicks that don't seem to be phased at all (looking forward to it if anything). I do believe that even those that struggle with it can build a tolerance with enough trigger time. Its not something to be ashamed of, just something to work on..

The first experience shooting my wife had was a .458 with 500gn'ers didn't bother her at all she loved it, kept hassling me for more shots .. The missus actually shot better groups than some blokes I had taken out a dozen times

Personally recoil is one of things I enjoy most about shooting, always leaves me wanting more...

Recoil always make me smile, I remember shooting my old mans 375h&h at 15 and handled it better than him, there is creedance in the theory that smaller frames flex with the recoil whilst bigger and more solid (usually overweight) blokes dont flex as much and absorb the recoil.

Another good reason to stay in shape!

[straightshooter]

Many amusing comments so far but the answer is relatively simple if not generally well understood.
A simplified explanation goes something like this.
If you hold the rifle firmly into your shoulder the mass of your shoulder adds to the total recoiling mass thus reducing the actual rearward acceleration of of the rifle as well as minimizing the impact of the recoiling rifle into your shoulder. If the rifle is loosely held then the recoiling rifle impacts into the mass of your immobile shoulder.
Another thing to note is that military rifles were not designed with bench rest shooting in mind.

[brett1868]

The size of the contact patch of the stock against the shoulder also plays a critical part.

[Archie]

I have never noticed recoil when I'm shooting at something that moves (clays with 12g or animal with a rifle). When it comes to punching holes on paper I'm a total recoil sook. And I've noticed that this pattern also applies even when its lying prone to take a hunting shot vs prone at the range. So I'm sure its 90% pure physics but I reckon at least some portion is psychological - when you're more focused on the target and ignoring the rifle a bit maybe?

[dpskipper]

I agree that the mind can alter how recoil is felt... For example out hunting and the Adrenalin is pumping, one would notice recoil less... However the shoulder might hurt a few hours after!

[in2anity]

a 2-round metallic silhouette match (shot from the standing position) is manageable (but tiring depending on the calibre). shoot 80 of the same power loads off the bench and you'll struggle to finish. reason is your body has nowhere to go from bench (and to a lesser degree prone); so all that energy is absorbed straight into your shoulder. hunting is also often shot at least from an upright position as is shotgunning, contributing to the manageability of light, high-powered hunting guns. on the contrary, such guns are not designed to be continuously shot off a bench. lmao try do trap shooting from a chair - see how long your shoulder lasts.

[Daddybang]

I have never noticed recoil when I'm shooting at something that moves (clays with 12g or animal with a rifle). When it comes to punching holes on paper I'm a total recoil sook. And I've noticed that this pattern also applies even when its lying prone to take a hunting shot vs prone at the range. So I'm sure its 90% pure physics but I reckon at least some portion is psychological - when you're more focused on the target and ignoring the rifle a bit maybe?

That little squirt of adrenaline when ya hunting goes along way to taking the mind off the recoil

[BRNO_Bigot]

Lots of good info except the testicular fortitude one.

As someone - I think Brett - said up above, stock shape can be a killer - the early Sako 375 H&H rifles were stocked with a very narrow shoulder area, so firing it was like getting a blunt axe into the shoulder - and I have heard this fro many people. The Winchester M70 375 seemed to fit most people better and shooting it didn't have the same effect.

A lot of it is attitude - I am a big guy - one of those who don't bow to recoil and thus feel it - but I shoot my 458W as well as a friend's 505Gibbs without any problems. I have shot another man's 500NE and wanted to cry after 5 shots - my right shoulder and hand was numb. Admittedly, I had been shooting his 416Rem in a Rem M700 - and they do NOT fit me. I get rapped on the knuckle every time.

I do remember some social shoots I attended about 20 years ago, where everybody brought something to shoot and swapped out amongst each other ("I'll give you 10 rounds of .223 out of my LM5 for 2 rounds of 375 from your BRNO" - type of thing). There were two young ladies - wives of the other shooters who used to arrive, half-covered in spaghetti strap tops and want to shoot my 375 - they would overwhelm me with their femininity, and general hotness, and I would allow them to shoot as long aI could watch their boobies bounce. This same 375 sent some real macho guys lumbering off after 1 shot.

So - a lot of it is psychological, some is stock shape - and some is sookishness.

[BRNO_Bigot]

Recoil tolerance begins in the testicular region. Then, as mentioned, it's about technique. I think some guys just psych themselves out before they even pull the trigger. The only way to develop better technique is to put rounds down range.

I'm set, mine are the size of coconuts...One of the many joys of getting older

Testicles, not prostate! How many times a night do you get up for a slash?

[Oldbloke]

Many amusing comments so far but the answer is relatively simple if not generally well understood.
A simplified explanation goes something like this.
If you hold the rifle firmly into your shoulder the mass of your shoulder adds to the total recoiling mass thus reducing the actual rearward acceleration of of the rifle as well as minimizing the impact of the recoiling rifle into your shoulder. If the rifle is loosely held then the recoiling rifle impacts into the mass of your immobile shoulder.
Another thing to note is that military rifles were not designed with bench rest shooting in mind.

Physics dictates this is correct.

[Oldbloke]

Also from an old post.

Lots of powder + heavy projectile + light rifle = lots of recoil.
Heavier rifle = less recoil
less powder or lead = less recoil.

Lighter the shooter the more they bend to the recoil = less felt recoil.

Big fat blokes are like a brick wall and don't move so more felt recoil.

So off hand shooting results in less felt recoil.

All things being equal, the above is true, to state the obvious. You cant beat it, its just about physics.

[Stix]

... ... ...
... ... ...
... ... ...
There were two young ladies - wives of the other shooters who used to arrive, half-covered in spaghetti strap tops and want to shoot my 375 - they would overwhelm me with their femininity, and general hotness, and I would allow them to shoot as long aI could watch their boobies bounce. ... ... ... ...

So - a lot of it is psychological, some is stock shape - and some is sookishness.

So in this example of recoil, your psychological state turned to sookishness due to the effects caused by the shape of the stock...!!! Hehe.

Its funny you said 'you allowed them'...sounds like they were calling the shots...they owned you boy...!!! Hehe

[Wombat]

My first experience with a centrefire really set me back for years. Prone with a Martini Enfield .303, before I was shaving and some 1912 mk VI ammo.
First shot had about a 1/4-1/2 second delay from trigger pull to ignition, long enough for me to think my father had loaded a spent shell to see if I had a flinch.
If I didn't before I certainly developed one then.