Shooting magnums more better

[eod.mickelson]

Get the rifle perfectly set up for you?

I feel like it's about as perfectly set up for me as it can be. I've definitely spent a lot of time in the setup, and have almost 1,000 rounds down the tube and have shot relatively well in elr light matches and prone with it. But once I'm kneeling or standing I will have good sight alignment and then pull the trigger, then loosen the target in the scope, and sometimes it's a hit and sometimes a miss, but I never know where the bullet went. I feel like there has to be some way to tighten that up some, maybe I'm wrong though?

For example, I was shooting a 10" steel at 180 yards recently. I went 4/6 with my 300 Norma in a kneeling position. With my 6.5 creedmoor I was 6/6. So I guess what I'm not sure about is whether I'm just getting away with lower quality fundamentals on my lighter recoiling rifles, if my 300 Norma will never have hit rate greater than 2/3 on an over five MOA target from a kneeling position, or if there's some fundamental principles for shooting higher recoiling rifles from those positions. I know in the AR world we are trained to use a sling to add tension at times from a standing position and that can reduce your wobble zone, so I'm not sure if there are a little tips and tricks or fundamental changes that people use when shooting bigger magnums.

 

[wyosam]

I'm not a fan. I want it to be what it is when I'll be shooting game with it.

I did the light load thing before and I felt like it made me even more conscious of the recoil when shooting hunting ammo, so I quit doing it. YMMV.

It is great for shooting more for cheaper.

I generally shoot a mix of low power (or 22lr, 223, dasher, etc) and full loads every time I go the range. I bring multiple rifles because I’m there to shoot, not sit around and wait for barrels to cool. I sure wouldn’t shoot nothing but light recoil then head out to hunt with full power. I also don’t shoot anything with huge recoil anymore. I won’t even do load work for friends magnums any more unless they do all the shooting. Brought back an old flinch from the dead a few years ago trying to find something a finicky and lightweight 300wm liked.


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[eod.mickelson]

Reload it down and/or use lighter bullets.

I've considered that. The current barrel is at end of life and I have a 20" barrel for hunting that I'm going to run on it, so dropping down from the 225 and 245 to something in the 185 range for hunting has crossed my mind, especially with a shorter barrel.

 

[hereinaz]

I won’t even shoot a typical 30-06 anymore without a brake or suppressor.

Yeah, shooting form/technique is the same, but it takes a lot better technique when recoil goes up. My thoughts are that the magnum exploits every little gap you leave in control.

We all know a braked .223 has so little recoil it is easier to shoot. It’s easier because you don’t have to actually have mastered control. You can completely ignore some facets of technique necessary for a big magnum.

Tighten up control of the rifle. A sling, shoot off a tripod, etc. find ways to make shots more consistent. Video yourself shooting and critique yourself as hard as possible in a thorough/curious manner.

Probably, the best thing you can do is get personal coaching. It’s so hard to see and improve ourselves.

 

[eod.mickelson]

Probably, the best thing you can do is get personal coaching. It’s so hard to see and improve ourselves.

This has definitely been on my mind lately. I have had a lot of professional training in the gas gun and pistol world, it's probably time to seek some in the bolt gun/hunting world.

 

[wyosam]

Nope. You guys want to barely hold a rifle, rest your thumb to the side and not hold the pistol grip, barely any pressure on the shoulder, maybe even free recoil it, then have a hard time controlling it and blame an inability to get back on target on the cartridge.

Forgot that everyone Seems to shoot that way. I guess I shoot them the same without issue because I shoot my light recoil rifles the same as I shoot my heavy ones- only ones that get the minimal touch are ones I only shoot from a bench.


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[bmart2622]

Nope. You guys want to barely hold a rifle, rest your thumb to the side and not hold the pistol grip, barely any pressure on the shoulder, maybe even free recoil it, then have a hard time controlling it and blame an inability to get back on target on the cartridge.

You literally describe proper shooting form and technique then advocated not using and changing it due to recoil all while trying to claim that the higher recoil cartridge is not the problem!!

 

[Choupique]

shoot my light recoil rifles the same as I shoot my heavy ones

Same. Having a rifle that actually kicks hard (a 7.5 pound .375 h&h) was what it took to make me understand how to really shoot a rifle. I guess I learn the hard way (gonna be dumb gotta be tough) and a rifle with that kind of recoil will let you know via pain and suffering if you aren't doing it right. The stock was also awful, so that didn't help.

I hated that .375 for a lot of reasons, but I do think it made me better. I'm comfortable shooting my .338 win mag from every field position I've had to shoot it from, or 20 rounds from the bench, or whatever. It's not bad at all and at least for now I enjoy shooting it.

I think all there is to it is shooting whatever you've chosen to punish yourself with a wholeeeeeeee lot with full juice loads. If you get behind it and think "man this is gonna suck" then get something that kicks less. If recoil is in the front of your mind, I don't see how you could shoot well. You gotta shoot enough to quit noticing it.

 

[TaperPin]

You literally describe proper shooting form and technique then advocated not using and changing it due to recoil all while trying to claim that the higher recoil cartridge is not the problem!!

300 Norma has about the same recoil as a 375 H&H, or 340 Weatherby - I think it’s funny that anyone would suggest it’s just like shooting any other cartridge. Lol

Having shot this range of cartridges since high school, and seeing what has and hasn’t worked with a fairly wide group of experienced shooters, I would love to hand a number of guys a rifle and not tell them if it’s a 340 or a creed and watch their “proper” technique.