Eye Problems and Shotgun Shooting?

murphjup · September 22, 2011, 06:31 PM

Hi All, I have a Posterior Vitreous Detachment in one of my eyes, which is not as bad as a Detached Retina... I noticed it within a day or two after going Sporting Clays shooting... a couple weeks ago, I have been diagnosed from my eye Dr. of 30 Years. I can't really say if it happened when I was shooting or not. I still have 20/20 vision in both eyes corrected.

I shoot a 12 gauge Berretta over and under, normally with Wally World loads, 1 1/8 ounce 7 1/2 shot size...

Only shoot say once a Month or so, 100+- rounds

So I am trying to prevent the same thing happening in my other eye, and also prevent any worsening on the the eye that has the problem.

What would you folks in the know recommend for reduced recoil to my head? Gun Changes? Lower Recoil Shells etc...

Please be specific in your suggestions.

Thank you in advance!

Dave McC · September 22, 2011, 07:09 PM

7/8 oz loads will crush just as many targets and run close to 20% less kick.

Do not shoot at all until your eye doc OK's it.

I know a couple folks who had retinas detach. One now only shoots 410s and 22s.

Good luck....

lambertsteeth · September 22, 2011, 07:20 PM

If your gun has mechanical triggers, and not inertia triggers, a recoil reducing stock can help. Some are available as a bolt on. Others are available from custom shotgun shops. Try Cole's gunsmithing and Seminole gunworks.
Both these shops do very nice work.
Even if your gun has inertia triggers, most recoil reducing systems will still work, you just have to keep them adjusted stiff enough to reset the triggers.

TheKlawMan · September 22, 2011, 08:03 PM

How could anyone discuss a gun change without knowing what you are shooting? Does your doctor say the detachment in the one eye is related to shooting? Is vitreous detachmenet something that is unrelated to trauma (recoil being a type of repetitive trauma)?

zippy13 · September 22, 2011, 08:04 PM

Your question is probably better answered by your eye care professional. But, your professional has to have some shotgunning experience to do an accurate analysis. It may be that shotgunning is not your immediate future.

I have what are probably the lowest recoiling guns of anyone here at the forum: A heavy Perazzi 12-ga with a custom air cushion stock, Briley full length tubes and .410-bore target loads. With this configuration, I can smoke Skeet targets with a gun that kicks like .22-LR. Of course, this may be over kill for someone who shoots only 100 targets a month. And, because of previous problems, I see my retinal specialist quarterly.

murphjup · September 22, 2011, 08:27 PM

Thanks all for your replies...

I will consider all of them...

@TheKlawMan... A PVD for Short is a "Normal" part of aging for people that are highly near sighted, It does not happen to all who are Myoptic, but being nearsighted increases your odds... however, it can be bought on sooner by trauma and blows to the head... Repeatative shooting etc...

They say once it stabilizes 3-6 months, and doesnt cause any other damage, ie retina detachments, that you can go one with youe life normally... I However am wanting to protect my good eye from going through the same thing --- too soon, I'd rather it did it as a normal part of aging, like in 20 years...for my nearsighted eyes... Im 51 years old...

So, I am trying to reduce the recoil on all my shotguns and rifles, since your head is ususally leaning on the stocks when firing...

I have a Berretta White Onyx Shotgun.. 12 Gauge 28 inch Barrel.

Thank you all for your insights..

TheKlawMan · September 22, 2011, 09:08 PM

My 80+ year old mother has that in one eye and you sure don't want it in both.

That white onyx is a nice gun, but perhaps it is a bit light @ 6.7 ounces for target shooting. Some suspect, from what I have been told and read, that the angled stock can contribute to cheek slap IF IT DOESN'T FIT YOU.

Perhaps the easiest and most effective means of reducing recoil is to shoot 7/8 ounce loads like the guys suggest.

I believe I have seen some (chime in BigJimP) suggest the use of lead golf club club tape to add weight for felet recoil reduction.

If I was concerned with my eyes, and already had the problem in one, I would listen carefully to the doctor and unless the doctor has experience with shooters, I would be looking for one with that experience.

I would also get fitted by a decent smith.

murphjup · September 23, 2011, 04:50 PM

Thanks again TheKlawMan, I will heed your advice...

I do use my Berretta for hunting as well, so that's why I didn't get a target gun primarily...

I may end up with a nice Semi-Auto...

Im in no rush, I'm not shooting anything high recoil right now, my eye Doc, wants me to wait three months at least before we reconsider it..

ammo.crafter · September 23, 2011, 04:59 PM

I have had retinal detatchment repaired after several attempts.

I retired my 12ga over/under and switched to a gas-operated 20ga (Remington G-3) and use 7/8 oz loads. I normally shoot 75 to 200 rounds of sporting clays per week.
Gun fit is extremely important and worth the expense of being professionally fitted.

Good luck!

BigJimP · September 23, 2011, 05:00 PM

Recoil is primarily related to ...weight of the gun, the amount of shot in ounces and the velocity of the load...

A. adding about 1lb in gross weight to the gun / will reduce recoil by about 15%...

B. going to a gas operated semi-auto will also help because the action reduces recoil vs a closed breech gun like an O/U...and many semi-autos with 30" barrels are a little heavier...

An easy way to play with gross weight -- Go to a golf store - they sell lead tape in packages / for golf club weighting. In most guns you can add about 8oz under forend / 8 oz in stock ...and keep your balance point the same ..by moving one or other fore and aft.../ and taping them down.

C. Go to light loads 7/8 oz at 1150 fps ...is a smart choice.
-----------------
Many doctors can refer you to someone that has some shotgunning experience / and I'd suggest you discuss this all with your doctor before settling on a solution.
--------------------
There are guns like the Beretta UGB - that combine the best of both worlds / as a break open semi-auto ...that gives you some options / and still a "very cool" platform ...and it has a lot of recoil reducing features built into the gun like extended forcing cones, a recoil supression system, a short actuating system, etc ... ....and it comes in a "Trap" version which I'd prefer for sporting and skeet or a "sporting version " ...

http://www.berettausa.com/products/u...trap-12-ga-30/

you can download a manual for this gun from this link on the Beretta site...that will discuss all its features...

murphjup · September 27, 2011, 07:36 PM

Well I ordered a few boxes of lower recoil shells, Winchester, Fiocchi and Remington, nothing larger than an ounce...

I will first try them in an old reliable Remington 1100 I have... and go from there..

I don't want o give up my Berreta... I would put a stock recoil system on it... Prolly Ken Ruckers BumpBuster... once I have an idea that works best...

Thank you agaim all of you for your replies...

zippy13 · September 27, 2011, 07:47 PM

An old trick for smoothing the swing and reducing recoil with a R-1100 (or R-870) is to add some weight. An easy is to take take empty shell cases, trim the folds from the mouths, fill them with shot, and tape them together end to end. Insert your new weight in the front end of the mag tube (the spring will keep the weight pushed against the end cap) and you're set. Reduce the weight by cutting the shells shorter.

Buzzard Bait · September 29, 2011, 02:59 PM

You only got two eyes there are shot gun shoots almost every week end at gun clubs all over the country. Get cleared by the eye doc before you fire even one more shot
bb

murphjup · October 3, 2011, 04:38 PM

Thanks all for your replies!! Im gonna go with lower recoil shells and other recoild reducing ideas... When I get back to it..

September 22, 2011, 06:31 PM	#1
murphjup Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2006 Location: Jupiter, Florida Posts: 460	Eye Problems and Shotgun Shooting? Hi All, I have a Posterior Vitreous Detachment in one of my eyes, which is not as bad as a Detached Retina... I noticed it within a day or two after going Sporting Clays shooting... a couple weeks ago, I have been diagnosed from my eye Dr. of 30 Years. I can't really say if it happened when I was shooting or not. I still have 20/20 vision in both eyes corrected. I shoot a 12 gauge Berretta over and under, normally with Wally World loads, 1 1/8 ounce 7 1/2 shot size... Only shoot say once a Month or so, 100+- rounds So I am trying to prevent the same thing happening in my other eye, and also prevent any worsening on the the eye that has the problem. What would you folks in the know recommend for reduced recoil to my head? Gun Changes? Lower Recoil Shells etc... Please be specific in your suggestions. Thank you in advance!

September 22, 2011, 07:20 PM	#3
lambertsteeth Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2010 Location: steel city Posts: 272	If your gun has mechanical triggers, and not inertia triggers, a recoil reducing stock can help. Some are available as a bolt on. Others are available from custom shotgun shops. Try Cole's gunsmithing and Seminole gunworks. Both these shops do very nice work. Even if your gun has inertia triggers, most recoil reducing systems will still work, you just have to keep them adjusted stiff enough to reset the triggers. __________________ One of God's greastest gifts to man is Dog.

September 22, 2011, 08:03 PM	#4
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	How could anyone discuss a gun change without knowing what you are shooting? Does your doctor say the detachment in the one eye is related to shooting? Is vitreous detachmenet something that is unrelated to trauma (recoil being a type of repetitive trauma)? Last edited by TheKlawMan; September 22, 2011 at 08:15 PM.

September 22, 2011, 09:08 PM	#7
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	My 80+ year old mother has that in one eye and you sure don't want it in both. That white onyx is a nice gun, but perhaps it is a bit light @ 6.7 ounces for target shooting. Some suspect, from what I have been told and read, that the angled stock can contribute to cheek slap IF IT DOESN'T FIT YOU. Perhaps the easiest and most effective means of reducing recoil is to shoot 7/8 ounce loads like the guys suggest. I believe I have seen some (chime in BigJimP) suggest the use of lead golf club club tape to add weight for felet recoil reduction. If I was concerned with my eyes, and already had the problem in one, I would listen carefully to the doctor and unless the doctor has experience with shooters, I would be looking for one with that experience. I would also get fitted by a decent smith. Last edited by TheKlawMan; September 22, 2011 at 09:39 PM.

September 23, 2011, 04:59 PM	#9
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	eyes have it I have had retinal detatchment repaired after several attempts. I retired my 12ga over/under and switched to a gas-operated 20ga (Remington G-3) and use 7/8 oz loads. I normally shoot 75 to 200 rounds of sporting clays per week. Gun fit is extremely important and worth the expense of being professionally fitted. Good luck! __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

September 22, 2011, 07:09 PM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	7/8 oz loads will crush just as many targets and run close to 20% less kick. Do not shoot at all until your eye doc OK's it. I know a couple folks who had retinas detach. One now only shoots 410s and 22s. Good luck....

September 22, 2011, 08:04 PM	#5
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Your question is probably better answered by your eye care professional. But, your professional has to have some shotgunning experience to do an accurate analysis. It may be that shotgunning is not your immediate future. I have what are probably the lowest recoiling guns of anyone here at the forum: A heavy Perazzi 12-ga with a custom air cushion stock, Briley full length tubes and .410-bore target loads. With this configuration, I can smoke Skeet targets with a gun that kicks like .22-LR. Of course, this may be over kill for someone who shoots only 100 targets a month. And, because of previous problems, I see my retinal specialist quarterly.

September 22, 2011, 08:27 PM	#6
murphjup Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2006 Location: Jupiter, Florida Posts: 460	Thanks all for your replies... I will consider all of them... @TheKlawMan... A PVD for Short is a "Normal" part of aging for people that are highly near sighted, It does not happen to all who are Myoptic, but being nearsighted increases your odds... however, it can be bought on sooner by trauma and blows to the head... Repeatative shooting etc... They say once it stabilizes 3-6 months, and doesnt cause any other damage, ie retina detachments, that you can go one with youe life normally... I However am wanting to protect my good eye from going through the same thing --- too soon, I'd rather it did it as a normal part of aging, like in 20 years...for my nearsighted eyes... Im 51 years old... So, I am trying to reduce the recoil on all my shotguns and rifles, since your head is ususally leaning on the stocks when firing... I have a Berretta White Onyx Shotgun.. 12 Gauge 28 inch Barrel. Thank you all for your insights..

September 23, 2011, 04:50 PM	#8
murphjup Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2006 Location: Jupiter, Florida Posts: 460	Thanks again TheKlawMan, I will heed your advice... I do use my Berretta for hunting as well, so that's why I didn't get a target gun primarily... I may end up with a nice Semi-Auto... Im in no rush, I'm not shooting anything high recoil right now, my eye Doc, wants me to wait three months at least before we reconsider it..

September 23, 2011, 05:00 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Recoil is primarily related to ...weight of the gun, the amount of shot in ounces and the velocity of the load... A. adding about 1lb in gross weight to the gun / will reduce recoil by about 15%... B. going to a gas operated semi-auto will also help because the action reduces recoil vs a closed breech gun like an O/U...and many semi-autos with 30" barrels are a little heavier... An easy way to play with gross weight -- Go to a golf store - they sell lead tape in packages / for golf club weighting. In most guns you can add about 8oz under forend / 8 oz in stock ...and keep your balance point the same ..by moving one or other fore and aft.../ and taping them down. C. Go to light loads 7/8 oz at 1150 fps ...is a smart choice. ----------------- Many doctors can refer you to someone that has some shotgunning experience / and I'd suggest you discuss this all with your doctor before settling on a solution. -------------------- There are guns like the Beretta UGB - that combine the best of both worlds / as a break open semi-auto ...that gives you some options / and still a "very cool" platform ...and it has a lot of recoil reducing features built into the gun like extended forcing cones, a recoil supression system, a short actuating system, etc ... ....and it comes in a "Trap" version which I'd prefer for sporting and skeet or a "sporting version " ... http://www.berettausa.com/products/u...trap-12-ga-30/ you can download a manual for this gun from this link on the Beretta site...that will discuss all its features... Last edited by BigJimP; September 23, 2011 at 05:14 PM.

September 27, 2011, 07:36 PM	#11
murphjup Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2006 Location: Jupiter, Florida Posts: 460	Well I ordered a few boxes of lower recoil shells, Winchester, Fiocchi and Remington, nothing larger than an ounce... I will first try them in an old reliable Remington 1100 I have... and go from there.. I don't want o give up my Berreta... I would put a stock recoil system on it... Prolly Ken Ruckers BumpBuster... once I have an idea that works best... Thank you agaim all of you for your replies...

September 27, 2011, 07:47 PM	#12
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	An old trick for smoothing the swing and reducing recoil with a R-1100 (or R-870) is to add some weight. An easy is to take take empty shell cases, trim the folds from the mouths, fill them with shot, and tape them together end to end. Insert your new weight in the front end of the mag tube (the spring will keep the weight pushed against the end cap) and you're set. Reduce the weight by cutting the shells shorter.

September 29, 2011, 02:59 PM	#13
Buzzard Bait Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 502	DUDE how many eyes do you have You only got two eyes there are shot gun shoots almost every week end at gun clubs all over the country. Get cleared by the eye doc before you fire even one more shot bb

October 3, 2011, 04:38 PM	#14
murphjup Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2006 Location: Jupiter, Florida Posts: 460	Thanks all for your replies!! Im gonna go with lower recoil shells and other recoild reducing ideas... When I get back to it..