A recoil story…..from my archives!
The only time my rifle (yes, my only hunting rifle) hurt me was my fault …..not that of the rifle/ cartridge. Merely, a really bad decision….."gross operator error"!
About 30 years ago, I was hunting with my BIL……we didn't know each other well, and was our first time hunting together!
I made a late evening shot on an elk, badly misjudging the distance. But, I had to make certain that it was a miss! I left BIL, and went to perform forensics work at the scene of the intended victim! I spent a good deal of time making sure, the sun had set….and was getting darker.
My BIL got concerned, and decided to shoot 3 times to give his location. I decided to give a single shot into the air, to let him know I was OK!
The really bad decision: I extended my right arm to near vertica, pulled the trigger…..59 ft/lbs of thrust rapidly accelerating the rifle downward, driving the trigger guard "very" hard into my "bird" finger!
The rifle's rapid, downward movement only being arrested…..when the recoil pad encountered "terra firma"!
To suggest that the damage done to my hand and my pride was minor…..would be a bit of an "understatement"!
I hope that this little story may prevent someone from doing something as "retarded" as this"! Let my "pain be your gain"!
memtb