Recoil sensitive. Theres a big difference between being able to handle it and being able to shoot your best. Recoil's effects are cumulative and they degrade your ability to shoot well. A prime example is f-class. A 300 wsm weighing 22lbs with no brake is too much recoil for most to handle and shoot as well as their 284s. Its got nothing to do with being tough, its to do with how well you can shoot. Accuracy trumps everything. Recoil effects you whether you know it or not.
Each person has different tolerances to recoil. It has nothing to do with how tough you are. Some people have a very reactive nervous system and the report of the rifle is the reason they have flinching problems. Others are very low key and have a high resistance to the muzzle report and generally recoil doesn't bother them as much as others. They are no tougher, just a more laid back nervous system.
Then there are those that are brain dead and any recoil is Ok. I am somewhere between the last two and can shoot anything within reason, but in all honesty, I will tell my self that the rifle is not fun and I wont shoot it many times before it is not fun. Everyone has their comfort zone and their tolerance level and just because they can handle more recoil doesn't make them any tougher.
Recoil velocity is different than recoil energy and different people handle it differently. I can shoot a heavy big bore rifle that has 80 to 90 ft/lbs of recoil, and 7,000 ft/lbs of energy, and has a velocity of 2400 ft/sec. but has a recoil velocity of 20 ft/sec compared to big 30 cal magnums that have a recoil velocity of 35 to 40 ft/sec. even though the energy is greater the recoil velocity is less and the term "Push" is normally used to described the big heavy rifles with low recoil velocity. so recoil velocity is how "fast" the rifle transfers the energy to you.
The way we deal with all of this is to go to smaller cartridges and just don't shoot the larger cartridges or Install a muzzle and continue shooting what you want to. No question that muzzle brakes have their down side but they also have there up side. And less shooter abuse And better accuracy are the up side. hearing protection is a non issue when shooting to prevent hearing loss. Ear protection should be used any time you are firing a high powered rifle.
Some of my biggest cartridges and rifle don,t have muzzle brakes and have low recoil velocity. some of my smaller caliber rifles are lighter and due to the recoil velocity are definitely not fun to shoot without a brake. By reducing the recoil energy, we also reduce the recoil velocity A win win in my opinion on some of my rifles.
Another up side to a brake is better shooter accuracy. If he is not afraid or at least subconsciously thinking about recoil, he will do a better job of concentrating on hold, trigger control, breathing, site picture and many other things that make you a better shot. The hardest shot on a hard kicking rifle or pistol is the first one where you have to think about what is going to happen when you pull the trigger. Once you make the first shot and realize that even though it kicked like a mule, it didn't injure you, the next shot is easier.
If you have target panic, the best way to fix it is reduce the recoil. How you do that is up to you. I am just not willing to give my long range hunting rifle because I don't want/like muzzle brakes. recoil can be managed and muzzle brakes are just one way. adding enough weight is another, But who wants to carry a 25 pound rifle around.
Alex is dead on about accuracy degrading at distance as recoil goes up and distance is the name of this game.
Just My opinion
J E CUSTOM
