New shooter - need help with recoil...

Hello folks.

I shot my first round of trap this past February and loved it. I joined a club and practiced a lot this past spring. Due to travel and family stuff, I haven't been able to shoot the last 2 months, so yesterday was my first time back out since the weather got warm. In other words, it was my first time shooting in shorts and t-shirt and ... WOW ... what a difference! I could not believe how painful that was!

This past spring and winter, I shot with a sweat shirt and heavy coat. I could shoot 4 or 5 rounds easily. In a t-shirt, the recoil is unbearable! I barely got through 1 round and my should is bruised.

I am shooting walmart value loads out of a field quality over/under without a recoil pad. The heel of the stock digs into my shoulder and the gun tends to kick-up a bit leaving my cheek a little sore after I shoot. I wonder if a recoil pad could solve my problems, or do I need a shooting vest? Or, should I invest in locating a gunsmith who could fit my shotgun to me?

I live in Northeast Ohio.

Many thanks for any help/advice you would be willing to provide!!

 

I certainly would begin with locating a gunsmith who can "Fit" the gun to you with the proper pad, pitch, etc.

Dave Berlet comes to mind, he lives in New Knoxville, Ohio but I am sure there may be gunsmiths that are closer to you that someone on here can suggest.

Dave is one of the old timers who would not steer you wrong though.

Good luck !!!

 

That is a long way from where I live, but I think it would be worth the drive to have my gun properly fitted. Thanks for the advice.

 

What is your "field quality over/under without a recoil pad" ????

You may save money and time by buying a "Trap" shotgun. Even some of the "quality name" field shotguns require too much of a money investment to "tame" them.

 

I agree its the fit, user is right, it may cost you to much to make that field gun work for you shooting trap. Rick

 

Welcome to our world ... What kind of gun are you shooting ..? Proper fit can (will) make a major difference in scores and comfort ... What club are you shooting at, maybe someone can point you in the right direction close by ..? WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Yeah, I understand where you are going with that. I have a Huglu 103FE. I realize that I should buy a quality trap gun if I am going to progress with the sport, but for now, I was just hoping to get some practice in and have some fun with what I have. Fitting the gun is probably more cost than the gun is worth, so I'm hoping a vest or pad could tame the recoil on warm days until I can get my winter coat back out.

Thanks for the help

 

I'm at Sportsmans Gun and Reel in Lorain, OH. There's a lot of smart folks there, so I should ask some of the vets at the club about how to proceed. I'm afraid the response from everyone will be to buy a proper gun.

 

If you do not care how it looks I have a used recoil pad that I will send you for free.

If you just stick it on it will add one inch to the LOP. That may cause more problems than it solves. A vest will keep some "rash" down, but if you keep hurting your arm/shoulder you may need a release trigger sooner than need be.

If your interested send me a PM.

 

Fit is important and you might want to try a 7/8oz or 1oz load too. They do break targets.

 

He's right, don't ask me how I know.

 

Personally, I would not invest a bunch of money in a Huglu to get the right fit and then the gun not be durable/reliable enough for the riggers of trap shooting, lots of targets on several days ... Great gun for the field but does not have a reputation for engineering ... Talk to some of the people at the club, trap shooters are always ready to help and assist you ... Try a few different guns and see if you can find something that you really like and that feels right and go from there ...Ohio has a lot of good shooters who would no doubt enjoy helping you out, if you ask ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Wow! That is really generous. I'll send that PM!

 

Good ideas. My local Walmart doesn't sell 1 oz loads, but I bet I could find them someplace else. I'd really like to start reloading one day and then I can make my own. If 7/8 oz can break targets, I should try shooting my 20 gauge and see how that goes. I'm only shooting for fun, anyhow.

 

That's kind of what I was thinking. It has worked for me to this point because I've only shot 3 or 4 rounds every couple weeks. I understand that an upgrade should be in my future if I get more serious.

 

Had I known the gun you were shooting I would not have suggested going to a gun smith for a fit...

The gang on here has good advice, ask around your club about a pad, and may I also suggest a Beartooth pull over comb that may help you with the point of impact.
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/...il/Stocks-and-Recoil-Pads/prod70053/cat100039

These are both a cheap way to get your gun so it won't kill your shoulder.

BUT, those 3 dram loads from Wally World are killers in their own right...I shoot a gun with a Gracoil reducer in it and they aren't a problem for me, but I have been shooting for 50 years and the shoulder is used to all kinds of shells...

 

I've shot almost a thousand shells through this gun this past winter/spring and it didn't both me at all. For some reason the coat really made a big difference. I think the gun fit and cheap ammo are factors, as well...

I've been wondering if simply getting one of those shooting vests would be a better option than trying to grind and drill new holes to get the pad to fit the gun.

I'll look into the comb riser as well.

Thanks for the advice!