Ouch! OK now I feel really dumb. Help!

A

AndABeer

New member
Was having a relatively good day at the range. Broke out the M1A that I haven't shot in a while and had great fun with it. Actually impressed myself with the iron sights as opposed to the third gen mount and the SA scope which I can't seem to hit anything with.

Then, as planned, my last rifle of the day was the dreaded Winchester 70 in .416 Rem Mag. On the fifth round I did something very wrong and the scope drove into my forehead. A few instants later I was treated to the warm sticky red stream of blood down my nose and cheek. I felt like a total piker especially after getting on to the guy to my right for straying on to my target. This was my fifth outing with the rifle and I still don't know why or how I did this to myself this time. Any thoughts or experience concerning recoil management would be greatly appreciated. Heading to Africa in June and need to learn to shoot this beast without fear of reprisal.
 
Most targets in Africa don't pose much of a challenge, from a size standpoint. You might do better either with iron sights or with a low-powered, long eye relief scope mounted as far forward as possible.
 
On the heavy kicking rifles your body needs to be erect. A lot of benches are to low making you lean into the gun. Get a taller rest and this will cure your problem. It is not uncommon to sight in heavy kicking rifles from a standing postition. The hard part is finding a bench at that height.
 
At the benchrest:

1. Not only a firmer grip than with lesser-recoiling rifles, but possibly some sort of padding behind the buttstock. The padding is less for dealing with recoil than increasing the length of pull.

2. As you look through the scope, move your head back a bit, to the rearmost position at which the crosshairs/target are still sharp.

3. Oh, and hold tight. :D

Before your next round of shooting, move the scope forward in the rings as much as possible without messing up your sight picture. While I have never cut myself, I do tend to "crawl" forward on the stock and have had the occasional unwanted bump. I always start out with my scopes mounted a bit too far forward, and adjust as I meddle around with the sight-in process.

Again, this is mostly a bench-rest problem.

Good luck,

Art
 
To restate the now obvious: The .416 Remington Magnum was not made to be fired from a bench! Same goes for all the big stuff. If your range does not permit off hand shooting, I would try to find one that did, and practice shooting from the hind legs. I have never been to Africa or hunted dangerous game, but I doubt a charging rhino will let you set up a bench, get out the sandbags, etc., etc., before giving you a little "pick me up" the hard way.

(BTW, you are not alone. The half-moon scar above my right eye is from a scope on a (relatively mild) .30-'06, shot leaning over a car top. As boxers found out, those forehead cuts really bleed!)

Jim
 
I've absolutely never cut myself over the eye with a scope due to recoil/screwing up my stance, etc. It's a sure sign of an inexperienced rifleman.

I do however, have 2X curved marks on my nose (yes, those bleed just as well as an eyebrow). Once from shooting The Wife's shortened rifle & another time when becoming just a tad bit over-excited at that elk - actually popped myself twice that time. Turned to my bud to show him what I did & he was trying to stick the lense back into his glasses = same deal. Hey! that elk did surprise us & no, we didn't get 'im.
 
I would second Walter's comments. The Leupold 2.5x has excellent eye relief and plenty of magnification for Africa. My own .416 Rigby is so equipped. If one prefers a variable the Leupold 1.5x5 is an appropriate choice as well. Generally, mount the telescope as far forward as possible. Good hunting across the pond bwana makuba. Rob
 
Two points...

1. When you fire a hard kicking rifle you keep your neck and shoulder solid and head as erect as possible. That way when it recoils your head and shoulder move back as a unit with the recoil. You prolly let your shoulder go back with the rifle and head stay where it was. Boom! Ouch!

2. A medium to large bore has no need for a scope sight (unless your vision is such that you can't use iron sights), especially in Africa where shooting distances are often measured in feet not yards. Learn to use the open sights, and yes if you learn to keep your neck and head rigid with your shoulder there is no problem firing from the bench.
 
I did that with my Russian SKS because I was leaning too far forward. The gun came back and smacked me right on my Glasses and scared the hell out of me. Nobody saw me so I saved face.
 
I second everyone elses opinion but would also like to add, don't save the heavy hitter for last when you are tired (and maybe a bit smug with your other shooting). It sounds like you either got tired, or let your guard down after your exellent work with the M1A (I wish I could shoot iron as well as scope!) Just an opinion worth the price you paid for it. :)
 
labgrade,
wacking yourself is NOT due to inexperience!!!I can attest to that, Did it myself with my 404 jeffery and I have been rifling for over thirty years.......my incedent was caused by my lack of respect for the big boomer, mistook it for my ought-six.

andabeer
do as the guys here suggested, stand up, maybe move the scope, etc....but by all means go to the dark continent and shoot stuff then come and tell us guys that have to vacation in hawaii (25th anniversary) all about it!!!!!
 
Another great way to give yourself a "mark of distinction" is to have a Savage over/under .22 mag. over 20 ga. in the wrong hammer position with your eye screwed to the scope expecting the pop of the .22 and recieving the 3" 20 ga. mag. I'm not sure if I actually saw a ball of fire in the scope from the shotgun muzzle blast or if it was only seeing stars.
 
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