The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - How does your body learn to handle recoil?

overthere · April 12, 2013, 01:39 PM

In my experience, these are two things that will help reduce the negative aspects of recoil:

1. Make sure that the rifle butt is pressed firmly against your shoulder. It does not have the be jammed in there with force but it should rest firmly. If there is a gap between your shoulder and the rifle butt you will experience recoil as being 'punched'. If it is resting firmly against your shoulder, recoil will be experienced as being 'pushed' and there is a big difference between the two.

2. Do not work against the recoil (or at least not too much). It is a natural tendency to want to tense up and jam your shoulder forward in anticipation of the recoil, i.e. your body and mind wants to anticipate and actively counteract the recoil. This makes things worse since the force exerted on your shoulder increases by the forward movement of your shoulder against the rearward movement of the stock. Instead, start picturing the recoil as the reward for lining up that awesome shot and enjoy / appreciate the unexpected movement when the shot goes off. Doing this you can train your body to 'ride' the recoil (or 'roll with' the recoil) which also helps in following through on the shot.

Of course you should not be limp when the shot goes off, especially if shooting offhand, but do not work against the recoil as much as contain it / experience it.

April 12, 2013, 01:39 PM	#12
overthere Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2012 Posts: 290	In my experience, these are two things that will help reduce the negative aspects of recoil: 1. Make sure that the rifle butt is pressed firmly against your shoulder. It does not have the be jammed in there with force but it should rest firmly. If there is a gap between your shoulder and the rifle butt you will experience recoil as being 'punched'. If it is resting firmly against your shoulder, recoil will be experienced as being 'pushed' and there is a big difference between the two. 2. Do not work against the recoil (or at least not too much). It is a natural tendency to want to tense up and jam your shoulder forward in anticipation of the recoil, i.e. your body and mind wants to anticipate and actively counteract the recoil. This makes things worse since the force exerted on your shoulder increases by the forward movement of your shoulder against the rearward movement of the stock. Instead, start picturing the recoil as the reward for lining up that awesome shot and enjoy / appreciate the unexpected movement when the shot goes off. Doing this you can train your body to 'ride' the recoil (or 'roll with' the recoil) which also helps in following through on the shot. Of course you should not be limp when the shot goes off, especially if shooting offhand, but do not work against the recoil as much as contain it / experience it.