I have a flinch

C

Craig

New member
As per the title, I have noticed that I have a flinch while in the field. Not much of one, I have seen much worse, and I can control it for the most part when I think of it.

I close my eyes and tighten up ever so slightly. Its not a problem at the range, since I can think about it and control it, though when it actually matters, in the field its still there. What can I do to rid my self of this?
 
i dont know i would like to know too,,,, i have the same problem too i can go to the range and shoot and shoot and not flinch but in the field i will flinch every time ,,,inless i think then i can control it some times
 
A flinch is a psycological thing. Sometimes people flinch because the fear of recoil, sometimes its the anticipation of the sound of the loud discharge. If you can practice alot with a low recoiling rifle and wear plenty of ear protection maybe you can overcome this. Just an idea.
 
Less think more squeeze. Don't think about hitting it.....you will...maybe. Get some ear plugs or muffs,I know their not hunting friendly but give it a try.


Hope this helps.

GJ
 
I flinch when I shoot my buddy's 300 win mag. Go figure! I had a 308 that would kick the crap out of me and I would flinch. I don't seem to notice it in the field near as much as on the bench, just the opposite of you. What caliber, rifle, a few more details please.
 
I don't know exactly what is making me flinch. But after a couple operator induced misfires and having a friend load up one dummy in a random place in a mag, I know its there, since its apparent when the rifle doesn't go off.

I tend to shut my eyes, and tense up, not a lot, but enough to cause the rifle to move on bipods. Of course this can't be conductive to good accuracy.
 
Practice with a .22RF. Work your way up. Practice, practice, practice.

I'm jsut about as recoil insensitive as it gets. Certain big-bores will bother me from the bench, but I don't let it affect my trigger pull.

I've gone home with PLENTY of bruised shoulders, before I learned. make sure your rifle fits you properly, and that you hold it properly. LOTS of guys do not position their rigs as they should. This will only cause you unnecessary pain. Keep it off your collarbone.

In the field, when shooting at game, recoil never even enters my mind. This is the goal you need to achieve. Work your way up.....
 
Always remember the other end of the gun hurts worse. I agree practice with a .22LR, that's the most economical way. You just have to overcome whatever it is that bothers you.
 
That reminds me I need to get a new 22lr.


I'm with muchgun, never changes my pull. Love shooting my dads 300wm BROWNING A-BOLT!!!

Need to get what ever is making you do it narrowed down.

+1 for a 22.

GJ
 
What you have is a mind reaction to the recoil of the gun. When your body gets slammed by the recoil your mind starts to anticipate it and react to it.

I have seen guys have a flinch so bad on the Trap Line that when they get a Dud they have to step foward to keep from falling down.

You should have seen mine when I went back to shooting a Rifle. I shoot anywheres from 12,000 to 20,000 rounds of Shotgun shells a year. 3 years ago I decided I wanted to start shooting Coyotes again and that summer I got my Air Rifle fixed up again so I could practice some. The first shots with my Air Rifle I flinched so bad I almost dropped it. I still have a problem with running shots. My body still wants to react to the recoil.
 
What caliber are you shooting, Craig? Have you measured your trigger pull? I agree with the majority here . . . practice and practice and practice some more. However, I believe you ought to practice with the rig you're taking into the field if you can afford to do so (unless we're talking about a real big bore). Also, I recommend taking the trigger down - waaaaay down (unless you're shooting an auto-loader). If you cannot take your trigger way down (to around 2 pounds) for whatever reason, practice burying your trigger finger farther around the trigger and / or dropping your finger to the bottom of the trigger and squeezing from there. When you "fire" a round through your rifle it should almost come as a surprise when it fires. I like the "test" your friend made up for you by loading a dummy round. I'm not Carlos Hathcock and I'm darn certain not the best shot on this forum, but I can say this for myself - if I squeeze the trigger and the firing pin replies with a "click" on an empty chamber there is zero movement anywhere in my body and the only "tell" you would notice would be the "click". Then you would hear me berating myself . . . then chambering a live round. A lot of bad habbits can be cured with proper practice . . . pretend that every shot you take may be your last shot - make the very most of it . . .
~Scott
 
Wear hearing protection, even in the field. I see more shooters flinching in anticipation of noise rather than recoil. Depending on what I'm hunting, I either wear plugs, or electronic muffs.
Next time at the range, get back to basics: breath control, sight alignment, sight picture, and trigger control (squeeze), and practice, a lot!
 
About the best thing for me is to dry fire. I have come back to this shooting pistols, rifles or shotguns. Probably alot of us have a bad habit that will show up if we dry fire. Its free and can be done anywhere.
Sparky
 
Oatsayo,
I have to agree with Sparky, Dry fire is a really good way to practice. Some guns dont take DF all that well though.
There are plastic "snap Caps" that will save your fire pin.

I had 2 flinch problems, One from the flintlock flash and one from reenacting. The reenacting one was from recoil simulation. I had done it so many times that it became a habit even when live fire. Took alot of work to get rid of. I dont do that anymore.
The second from the flint flash was over come just by practice with flashing the pan. Outside of course.

To practice,I would aim at a small point in my house, Perhaps a light switch something small.With a piece of wood in the jaws of the cock, I would snap the lock and hold on the spot. After a while the flinch went away. You can do the same thing with a cartridge gun.
 
Practice is always good, so would dry firing, or practicing with a low recoil/ low noise rifle. I think its psychological. A non hunting related story. When I played hockey years ago I had an awful slapshot. I practiced and practiced tried harder and harder. It still sucked horribly. Then I was playing a game against Lake Linden the defenseman went to flip the puck out of the zone I caught it dropped it on the ice and shot it as hard as I could. No think just reaction. Well I beat the goalie high glove side. Even surprised myself. What you need are targets that you practice on where you cant think about flinching. That is the practice you need. All reactionary (is that a word) shooting. No think only do.
 
On second thought find the largest gun you can find. Some type of nitro gibbs express weatherby ackleyimproved. Then shoot 2 boxes as fast as you can. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I've never had that problem, but when I shot my T/C Encore 25-06 rifle at my range at the house it's loud. I bought some Allen Sound Sensor ear plugs, They are hard plastic, adjustable that fit over the top of your head and the plugs are gray foam. What I like they are light weight and are not bulky. I can still were my ball cap with no problem. The shot sounds like a thud. The best part, you can talk to your buddies with them on. If this is something you might want to try PM me and I'll look for some of the places I found them online. I found one place that was cheapest of all the others. I've had my for some time now and they a great!!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Or just send back a reply. some others my know a place to get them or be interested.
 


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