Newbie with a bruised shoulder

[Jon0807]

So I shot my brand spanking new Mossberg 500 combo last weekend. Went to a local range and rented a lane for an hour. I only brought 70 rounds of 00 buck and a few slugs with me, thinking that was going to be enough but I went through the entire thing in less than an hour. I even took short breaks. The whole experience was great. It was my first time firing a REAL gun.

But after all the fun, I had a really sore shoulder and ended up with a nice bruise. I thought I had proper form, created a pocket that the stock sat nicely into and held the shotgun firmly against my body. Squared up and squeezed the trigger 70 times. Does your shoulder have to get conditioned to shooting a shotgun/rifle? Will the soreness eventually go away the more I shoot? Or was my form no as good as I thought it was?

Thanks in advance for the advice,

Jon

[Timbob55]

Sometimes you need more than correct form. 00 and slugs pack quite a whallop and shooting that many is sure to leave bruises.

No, it won't go away.

I suggest using some kind of recoil pad either a PAST pad or maybe something you slide on the gun.

No need in developing a flinch.

[Horton Fenty]

Anything that kicks decent and has little to no recoil pad is going to leave you sore and bruised. It will probably be all kinds of pretty colors here in a couple days. Like Timbob said no need to punish yourself though, and possibly develop a flinch. Recoil tolerance is kinda like pain tolerance, everyone's different.

[em9sredbeam]

00 Kicks pretty good. Even with good form if you shoot that many rounds it is going to leave a mark. You either get used to bruises if you are going to shoot 70 rounds of it, or save the 00 for HD and occasional practice/classes, although a nice recoil pad and or a heavy jacket tend to help.

[Jon0807]

I think I developed a flinch before the first shot lol. The pain wasn't much of a factor but there were a few times the butt may have slipped out of place after some consecutive shots that stung.

Thanks for the info. I'll look into some replacement stocks and butt pads and some different shots to play around with.

[johnny_22]

Are you in the pocket?

When I took a shotgun class, I made sure the butt was in the "M1" pocket, and got no bruises. Others in my family had not shot larger calibers before and all came home with bruises. The other key is don't let it get a running start; tight against you will help.

Flinches are hard to get rid of. I still sometimes flinch (handguns) and need to do "ball and dummy" drills to help eliminate it

[NaClAddict]

Pulling forward snugly on the forward grip/slide will help reduce the felt recoil. However, shooting that many heavy shells will do that to anyone, regardless of grip, recoil pads, voodoo, etc.

[KWalkerM]

ya...the 70 rds of 00 would bruise me. i shoot low base trap loads 7s 6s etc. cheaper and easier on my shoulder.

[bsumoba]

there are some nice stocks that reduce recoil. I put a pistol grip ATI stock on my 870 and shooting slugs became much easier to take.

There's those knoxx systems also but have had no experience on them.

[Thefeeder]

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You will be better served learning to run a shotgun on a clays field instead of a lane. Proper mount, stance, fit, eye to target reflex, target tranistion, running a pump while in a traget transition are all done on a clays field each time you fire a round.

Much better practice then pulling a trigger and throwing lead down a lane.

You right next door to Pacific Rod and Gun Club. Go and learn from some of the shooters there.

There is also a Clinic in San Jose., next one will be most likely Nov 24th.... http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=405000

Have fun with your new toy

[xtra870]

I guess everyone is different. When i shoot pigeons (over 200 shells a trip) ill notice at the end my shoulder getting sore and some red lines fom the edge of the recoil pad that go away in a day

[Legasat]

I chose a Limbsaver recoil pad for my Mossy 590, and that helped a lot, but even now, I wouldn't shoot 100 rounds of 00 or slugs in one outing. I can shoot 100 rounds of birdshot (Skeet shooting) no problem, but not OO or slugs.

[Jon0807]

You will be better served learning to run a shotgun on a clays field instead of a lane. Proper mount, stance, fit, eye to target reflex, target tranistion, running a pump while in a traget transition are all done on a clays field each time you fire a round.

Much better practice then pulling a trigger and throwing lead down a lane.

You right next door to Pacific Rod and Gun Club. Go and learn from some of the shooters there.

There is also a Clinic in San Jose., next one will be most likely Nov 24th.... http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=405000

Have fun with your new toy

I wanted to get the feel of the shotgun first before I went out for some actual target practice. But it sounds like your clinic is just what I need. I was hesitant about going to the Pacific Rod and Gun Club (which I hope stays. I hear they're having some leasing disputes with SF) mostly because of embarassment. I didn't want to go out and make a fool of myself in front of seasoned shooters.

I don't know if I can make it the 24th, but I would definitely be interested in furture events.

[Thefeeder]

I wanted to get the feel of the shotgun first before I went out for some actual target practice. But it sounds like your clinic is just what I need. I was hesitant about going to the Pacific Rod and Gun Club (which I hope stays. I hear they're having some leasing disputes with SF) mostly because of embarassment. I didn't want to go out and make a fool of myself in front of seasoned shooters.

I don't know if I can make it the 24th, but I would definitely be interested in furture events.

Don't be hesitant, there are lots of noobs that shoot there. You can also ask the person behind the desk if there is someone willing to show you the ropes.

I'm out there most Saturdays when I'm not hunting or doing a clinic....give me a jingle....if i'm going, I'll be that someone

[nicegunsbro]

first time i shot my benelli nova at the range, they told me only slugs were allowed because we were shooting in the rifle range. that ****er kicked me silly. next day i went and bought a limbsaver gel pad lol.