New rifle...... Flinching

[xsn10s]

I never said foamies are better, and honestly do not know if they are. As previously noted, I am simply stating I used both that are available to me in accordance with Air Force safety directives and guidance; together, they are more effective than when only using one.

The foamies are better as far as I know. The orange flange that the Army issued were later deemed unsatisfactory.

 

[FEENIX]

The foamies are better as far as I know. The orange flange that the Army issued were later deemed unsatisfactory.

But together, it still serves better hearing protection than only one. As previously noted, most only used one, not both. It was their personal choice; now, they are facing the consequences of those decisions. I made my choice to use both, and I am raking the benefit; that is all I am saying.

 

[WYO300RUM]

That's a little hard, don't you think? Your are right on taking a buddy along to help.

I'll agree Come on Skip.

 

[xsn10s]

But together, it still serves better hearing protection than only one. As previously noted, most only used one, not both. It was their personal choice; now, they are facing the consequences of those decisions. I made my choice to use both, and I am raking the benefit; that is all I am saying.

We're in the same boat Ed lol. I use both. All I am saying is when I was in service we were not always given the option. Mission dictated how we operated.

 

[FEENIX]

We're in the same boat Ed lol. I use both. All I am saying is when I was in service we were not always given the option. Mission dictated how we operated.

If you used both, then you are in compliance. Out in the flighline, no one is actively enforcing the use of both; no one is going to inspect if you are using a foamie or equivalent under your headset unless you get lucky enough to be evaluated by a QA inspector.

 

[xsn10s]

If you used both, then you are in compliance. Out in the flighline, no one is actively enforcing the use of both; no one is going to inspect if you are using a foamie or equivalent under your headset unless you get lucky enough to be evaluated by a QA inspector.

Different units Ed. I was Army in Mech Inf with the Scouts. On the range we wore orange flange, while running tracked vehicles we wore com sets, trucks muffs, but on maneuvers we wore nothing. Mission dictated we needed to listen for the enemy. When the SHTF there was no time to get ear protection on. At least that's how we operated.

 

[xsn10s]

Anyways wearing muffs and plugs could help with flinching. Especially if you're shooting under a cover or overhang. The concussion from report will be much greater with a muzzle brake, good quality muffs will help.

 

[FEENIX]

Different units Ed. I was Army in Mech Inf with the Scouts. On the range we wore orange flange, while running tracked vehicles we wore com sets, trucks muffs, but on maneuvers we wore nothing. Mission dictated we needed to listen for the enemy. When the SHTF there was no time to get ear protection on. At least that's how we operated.

I thought we agreed to use both already. If wearing nothing is your directive to follow during maneuvers, then so be it. I am simply advocating the use of maximum hearing protection, regardless of military service/units or civilian/personal use.

 

[xsn10s]

I'm not in the Army anymore so I wear both whenever I can. Even when hunting.

 

[Bullmark]

I may have missed it, but I don't think you mentioned anything about your trigger. For me, if I wanna shoot a good group it's important to have a good trigger. Many factory rigs will miss the mark with their triggers and come with something that's terrible. Most any Trigger Tech, Timney, jewell, etc will be a huge improvement over what the factory uses.
I like my hunting triggers set at 1.5lbs. Everyone is different though.
If your trigger is set too heavy or has any creep, it makes your job much more difficult.
It may the wrong thing to do, but I've practiced by dry firing with a heavier trigger.....
Long shots take a high level of concentration, good form, and being confident.
Go back to 100yds and shoot some good groups to get your confidence up.

 

[HunterMann]

I hate sitting at a range station next to one of those big side blaster brakes.
But some times there is not an open spot to move to.

 

[HunterMann]

Once you have identified the cause of your flinching and minimize the cause and effect, here is what I do to reduce the flinch gremlin. I do this routine anytime I have not been shooting for a while...

I take several rifles to the range and shoot for grouping from low to higher recoil levels. Starting with a 22LR, I shoot 4 groups of 5. If OK I move to a 223/5.56 and shoot another set of 4 groups. Next I move say 308 or 30-06. I keep progressing up to my magnums. If I have trouble with any caliber, I go back down a power level and repeat. It may require more that one range session to get to where I need to be. Sometimes I will change the group size/repetitions depending on time and other factors. If you are not shooting well, don't keep blasting away. The goal is to be really good with the first group; not just OK on the twentieth round. You can adjust this plan to match your situation.

As my old instructor always said, "Practice does not make perfect, but perfect practice gets you closer to perfect"

 

[Idaho Lefty]

BEST "way" to deal with, a "Flinch" is to,..
NEVER, ever, get it,.. in the First, Place !
I've been working on getting RID of my .338 Flinch for, a little over, 15 years, now !

IT, only "shows up" on,.. the Odd, Days !
When, I'm NOT, fully "cognizant" of everything ( Cross Hairs on Target, Trig. Squeeze, Gun Position, Breathing, etc ).
Then, I'll RUIN, a Perfect, 5 shot group with, a TINY,.. shoulder, "Hunch" !
Yup it's,.. Mind over, Matter, now,.. LOL !

 

[riggingslinger]

So I have been shooting practically my whole life. I consider myself a pretty fair shot. Last year I decided I wanna shoot farther. I'm hunting elk and I had been shooting 500 yards. Now I wanna shoot out to 1000 yards. Sounds simple right...??? Well I've got a huge education. Lol. So last year I started shooting with a good buddy who has been shooting long range for a while and he gets me hitting at 1000 pretty consistent. I was shooting a 300 RUM with 180 grain barnes bullets. After doing some research I see I'm shooting 775 ft lbs at 1000. I wanna be at least 1000 ft lbs. So I buy some 190 grain barnes LR bullets that's supposed to get me over the 1000 ft lbs. Problem is I haven't got a muzzle brake, so 180 grains have little recoil but 190's kick like a mule! I decided to buy a new rifle with a brake. I ordered a Weatherby 338-378. Sweet rifle! Now the problem is I am flinching BAD! The gun doesn't kick that bad, I think it's the brake messing with me. I never owned a gun with a brake before and it's different. With the price and availability of ammo I'm not sure what to do to quit wasting it. I can't even see what powder charge shoots best cause I can't shoot a group. Definitely not the gun it's just I'm a head case behind it. I'm not afraid of it, I'm just not sure why I'm doing it. Anyone have any ideas or pointers to help me out? Anything is much appreciated.

I just went to a friends personal range and got recurrent shooting my 300 Win Mag. It had been nearly 2 years since I shot it and had to relearn a few basics including properly shouldering the butt (ouch) . Since you have a new gun and are having trouble with grouping, I would start with the scope mounting. Making sure it is absolutely mounted correctly and the parallax is set for the distance you are shooting. With a new to me gun I would lock it down in my lead sled to chrono and zero a 100 yards just to take any filch or wiggle out of the equation. I hand load so can't suggest a factory load but I think any match grade ammo in the 190 to 210 gain range should produce a decent group. After that I would not rule out a problem with the gun. As far as I know its rare but does happen.
Also I use a comp instead of a brake. Its very stable however kicks up a lot of dirt shooting prone on bare ground.
Hope that helps.