How do you shoot high power big bore?

[dubious]

I just got a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag... and still need lots of practice. When I shoot it with my low recoil rounds it's a breeze and I get tight groups. When I shoot the higher loaded rounds though, my accuracy is terrible. I'm working on my flinching from the kaboom and I know that's a big factor.... but what about handling the recoil, follow through, and grip? Does anyone have any advice?

 

[pinkymingeo]

I don't think I'll ever enjoy hot 44mag shooting. Too much blast and recoil. If you handload, drop below 1200fps with a 240gr bullet and life gets better. You'll still be able to drop anything this side of a grizzly. At the range, I've found that hearing protection is critical. I wear 31db muffs, and wouldn't mind more. A shooting glove helps a lot. Other than that, practice a bunch and work your way up slowly.

 

[mavracer]

this may sound crass but, it works for me.OK you have obviously shot a 44 magnum and survived it did not break your wrist and it didn't hit you in the forehead,the blast from the muzzle didn't hurt.so the next time you shoot it guess what the same thing will happen the gun will go off there will be a big boom and the gun will recoil,when your pulling the trigger you don't need to think about these things they are always the same.SIGHT PICTURE TRIGGER SQUEEZE,SIGHT PICTURE TRIGGER SQUEEZE,SIGHT PICTURE TRIGGER SQUEEZE.

 

[Master Blaster]

Ball and Dummy drill helps, Load a couple of fired cases in the cylinder randomly with the live rounds.

Concentrate on the front sight, and the gradual increase in trigger pressure, let the shot break as a surprise so you dont anticipate the recoil. When you hit the empty caes you will be able to see what you are doing and better control it.

 

[Brasso]

Master Blaster,

What is that signature?

To remeber to love the ringing?

 

[EddieCoyle]

What mavracer and Master Blaster said.

I don't have a .44 Mag but I have (and very frequently shoot) a .500 S&W and a .460 S&W.

The only thing I'll add is that when firing with a two-handed grip, I "pull" with my weak hand, and "push" with my strong hand. This helps to steady a heavy revolver. Of course, you can't do this when shooting one-handed.

When shooting one-handed, it helps to balance the load equally on both sides:

​

 

[EddieCoyle]

Another important anti-flinching tip:

Try doubling up on hearing protection. I use both ear plugs and ear muffs. It really helps.

 

[FLORIDA KEVIN]

i think eddie got it right ! I wear both plugs and muffs when I shoot my .454 Ruger SRH ! The push with the strong hand and pull with the weak hand is also great advice ! One other thing is to make sure your muzzle is past the end of the deviders between shooting stations at the range ! I have found a big difference in the noise/muzzleblast ! i know it sounds weird but try it ! relax ! have fun !!

 

[zxcvbob]

I used to load my Ruger Blackhawk .45 up to .44 Mag levels (not .44 mag pressures) with 255 grain bullets, and I was flinching pretty bad. So I started loading it a little lighter. That helped, and as I got better at it I would occasionally shoot the shake-the-earth heavy loads and found that my flinching was a lot better.

For me, shooting one-handed helps. I'm not sure why.

Only loading 4 rounds instead of 6 and not knowing where the empty chambers are is a great practice execise. Or load some cartridges with no powder and a spent primer and mix those in with your practice ammo (and don't cheat by looking at the primers when you chamber them.)

Mainly you just need practice, but try some slightly lighter loads for a while. (load your .44 magnum using .45 Colt data, using the "maximum" column of the standard-pressure load data). Don't try this using "Ruger and T/C Only" .45 Colt data in a .44 Mag because it could be too high.

Loading about halfway between .45 Colt and .44 Mag works well for me.

Bob

 

[Snowdiver]

Also maybe shooting at the bench until you're used to the kaboom might help. Realizing that the gun isn't going to jump out of your hand helps.