Got hit by a truck...

[Rshooter]

I bought my first ever shotgun, a Mossberg 590A1, and shot it for the first time yesterday. Stupid me decided to start off by shooting about 50 rounds of 3" magnum buckshot and 3" slugs. Now my shoulder is battered, bruised, and slightly swollen

:banghead:

This is how we separate the men from the boys. If this was required for all who carried shotguns I think only Marines would be goofy enough to carry them.


Semper Fi

 

[ZeSpectre]

It's well known here that I'm a recoil wuss. Too much damage to my shoulder to beat it up any more than necessary. I stick to rifles like the .243 and the .30-30 and nothing much larger (though for some insane reason I just -WANT- a .45-70).

I WILL NOT shoot 3" magnums anymore, ever, PERIOD!

Hell even with higher load 2 3/4 shells I thank God for heavier shotguns and good recoil pads.

Still it probably wouldn't hurt the OP to have someone else examine his technique and see if there is room for improvement.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Invest in a recoil pad or use 2 3/4 shells.

Or both.

Also, make sure you have the stock square and tight to the shoulder. Lean into it.

Make the gun push you, not kick you.

 

[Savage Shooter]

There's a good trick to managing recoil: keep the buttstock an inch or so away from your shoulder when you fire, not actually touching. The distance is so that your gun can absorb some of the recoil impulse before it's transferred to your body.

(don't actually do this)

HAHA I almost missed the bottom I was just getting ready to chew you to pieces for being a moron

 

[hatchetbearer]

This is how we separate the men from the boys. If this was required for all who carried shotguns I think only Marines would be goofy enough to carry them.


Semper Fi

you sir are correct.

 

[kcshooter]

There's a good trick to managing recoil: keep the buttstock an inch or so away from your shoulder when you fire, not actually touching. The distance is so that your gun can absorb some of the recoil impulse before it's transferred to your body.

(don't actually do this)

HAHA I almost missed the bottom I was just getting ready to chew you to pieces for being a moron

Hehehe, me too. I just wanted to catch the OP before he took this advice!


OP
50 rounds of 3" magnum? You were askin for it! If I'm shooting more than about 20 rounds, I'm goin with low-brass sport loads. You can shoot those all day.




Mainsail,
is that a freaking bayonet?? Why, man, why?

 

[scythefwd]

Make sure the stock actually fits you. If it is too short or too long, you could be beating yourself up more than needed. I know I can shoot slugs out of my shotgun (it's only 7.5 lbs) pretty much all day now with only a little redness (at least 10 in a row don't bother me at all and I'm ready for more) but when I first got it and the stock was too long it would put a lasting bruise on me after 5 shots with a heavier barrel (making the shotgun 9.5 lbs).

 

[BADUNAME37]

Mainsail....

Is the bayonette so you can cut the bird's head off after you shoot it?

 

[Mainsail]

Is the bayonette so you can cut the bird's head off after you shoot it?

Bird? What the heck would I shoot at a bird for? It's the steak knife, for...well, cutting up my steak.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Yeah that's pretty normal for that volume with boomer loads. Anytime you want to remind yourself to appreciate how good "not sore" feels, just go do that again.

The bayo is for, if you're holding a home invader at gun point for the police with his hands in the air, if he has an itch and begs you to scratch it for him, you can do so without losing your tactical advantage.

 

[Blofeld]

19-3Ben brings up a point that I hadn't considered.

Who is mean enough to issue a battle rifle to troops with a steel buttplate? I know Russians are tough, but that seems almost cruel and sadistic.

And where can I get a steel buttplate for my shotgun to shoot 3" magnums?

 

[scythefwd]

Blofeld,
Pretty much every nation issues a steel butt plate. Heck, even the us does (the M4 has one, the M16 has one, the garand has one, the m14 has one, we've been doing it for a long time). Any country that has accepted that ammo is limited and you might have to use your weapon as a club pretty much has one (butt strokes with a steel butt plate are less damaging to the rifle than say a pure wooden butt and more damaging to the recipient than a rubber pad would be).

 

[john917v]

Bpautz, I learned the value of a good, thick, and preferably vented recoil pad and proper technique here. I was told to push the forend forward, and to pull the grip near the trigger towards you-it basically feels like you are trying to pull the shotgun apart. This way, your arms dampen some of the blow. It has really worked for me.

 

[Youngster]

A little technique and trigger time go a long way, the first time I really wrung out a shotgun out I was in shock and awe, like I'd been in a sustained car accident. However in subsequent outings I quickly got to the point where anything less than magnum buckshot {magnum slugs don't bother me for some reason} was no big deal.

 

[Chihuahua Floyd]

Like several have mentioned, Make sure the gun fits YOU! If you are not one of the ideal, mythical standard size people, something is out of whack. Out of whack hurts.

 

[mbpautz762]

John917 - that's great advice. I never really thought of trying that method, but it sounds like it'll help. thanks!

 

[john917v]

Don't mention it. It made a world of difference for me, and my aim improved.

 

[streakr]

This is a common complaint for many newbies to SD/HD; e.g. buy (expensive) and use the most powerful, highest velocity ammo available.

You see this with reloaders who must have the wildest and fastest rounds out there.

For SD/HD the shotgun is good to 10-12m (30-40') and most 2.75" #2 or 4 shot are more than enough at those ranges inside a building. Magnum buckshot or slugs have significant overpenetration issues with sheet rock/plaster walls and even concrete block.

Be smart and use what's needed for the venue in which you expect to use the firearm.

streakr

 

[Cougfan2]

I started using a PAST recoil shield for shooting heavier recoiling long guns and it makes a world of difference. You can pick one up at most good gun stores for between $25-$30.

 

[Blofeld]

There may be something to be said for at least trying out the ammo he'll be using for HD. Maybe not 50 rounds, but enough to get a feel for it.