Long range muzzleloader recoil question.

Ok.
Doctor says I have to stay away from heavy recoiling guns.
I've been wanting to get into the lomg range 500+ yard paper patched conical bullet game for lomg range.
Considering what my doctor has told me what are my options?
I have fusion at c5 c6 c7. Looking at possible fusion at c4. Having problems with c2 c3 and c4.
Thanks

Forget about it. 500 grainers ARE heavy recoil or buy a double thick PAST recoil shield and wear it.

That 500yd stuff is heavy recoil (period). You need a heavy projectile and heavy charges to beat even light crosswinds at that distance. The PAST recoil pad only pads the shoulder muscles it doesn't stop the recoil torso movement.
Maybe consider 100yd bench instead.

I think if you wanted to stay in the mid range Creedmoor distances (out to 600 yards) you can easily get away with a 38 or 40 cal projectile with a fairly light load. These will not produce the recoil of the larger calibers. Of course "staying away from heavy recoil" is pretty vague and guess that would mean what you can tolerate. Biggest issue is this could be a major investment to find out if you can or cannot do it.

I agree. I would also not wanna mess with my neck, eyes and spinal stuff are two things, as a man :slap: that i do follow the DR's advise. I have a cervical fusion myself. I ONCE fired off 120 gr with a 600 gr conical in my .58. Nope not again :surrender:

I would do as stated above or get a lesser gun which makes 100yds a challenge (.32 or .36?).

You may want to consider investigating the back or supine position.

A friend had neck problems that mean he can't position his head to shoot prone, however is able to shoot from the back position. Another gentlemen I knew shot long range into his 90's. He fired from the back position and said recoil was comfortable.

Do a little investigation and see if you think you can adopt one of the variant positions and then perhaps seek further medical advice.

David

It’s a timely topic. I’m considering a long range muzzleloader and was thinking it’ll be a 40 or 45 caliber small bore 12 pound rifle, but really had not considered the bullet weight or powder charges. This post has me rethinking that type rifle now. I find BP recoil more of a push than the sharp snap smokeless rounds deliver. But I stay away from loads above 90 grains by and large.
I’ve sustained four significant concussions and a handful of minor ones over my life time. I avoid hard recoiling firearms now. The only 12 gauge shotguns I shoot these days are a trap gun with very light loads and my upland shotgun is a kind of heavy double barrel with 2-3/4 inch loads only and even those have started bothering me of late. I have sold heavy recoiling firearms because, as much as I enjoyed shooting them in the past, I believed they were now slowly killing me.

There are more than bones adversely affected by heavy recoil. I've known those that suffered detached retina problems. Blindness would be worse for me than sore bones and muscles.

jon math said:

But I stay away from loads above 90 grains by and large.

Click to expand...

A typical load for a long range rifle at 1000 yards would be .45 cal with a 530 grain bullet and 90gr FFg.

You mentioned in another post about shooting at 100-400yds primarily, so a lighter bullet and/or powder charge may be suitable and give you the accuracy you want, without the recoil or need to exceed 90gr.

David

Thanks for all the replies.

I see the doc again in july. I'll know more about what will be allowed per him then.

Hopefully don't have to give up hunting fishing and shooting in the future.
Don't think I will but.....

Sorry but there is no way I would be able to shoot in the back position! That hurts just looking at the picture!

A friend of mine had similar interests -- and issues -- so here's what he did...

He chose a smaller caliber and shot it at smaller targets and over reduced distances.

He found it just as challenging and he could shoot at many more local ranges too. In fact, several of his buddies joined him as they liked the challenge so much -- and as most of the guys were retired, a side benefit was all the $$ savings on lead and powder used with each shot! As well as all the "recoil savings" (reductions) of using the smaller loads/balls.

They couldn't compete with the big dogs throwing big hunks of lead over big distances, but they had a ball with what they were doing. And it got them out shooting and having fun!

Just a thought... :thumbsup:

Old No7

I suggested that way up there in thread, NOT WORTH MESSING WITH ANY SPINAL STUFF! and I'd say it would be harder to do well with .32 at 100yds than larger calibers at long distance. wind play havic with the smaller load which "usually" like smaller charges :v

The last two posts have taken the words out of my mouth (or at least keyboard).

The challenge of a .32 at shorter ranges are just the same as full size match rifle at greater ranges but less strenuous. It also increases the number of ranges you can use.

Hi,
Here is my 2 cents worth!
Long distance shooting with heavy bullets is for young men with something to prove.
I shot the Whitworth .45 with 140 gr. 2F and a 550 gr. spitzer bullet pointed and boat tail.
Shooting seated in a chair & table was remotely tolerable, shooting it prone was murder.
And this was done thirty five years ago, when I was 36.( had more hair, better looking, and could walk straight. )
I sold the Whitworth for a reason, though I miss it today.
With a light load of 70 gr. 2F and a 330 gr. bullet it was shootable, but did hurt after a few shots.
The same was true with center fire cartridge rifles.
Today with modern shooting jackets and modern .50 cal. rifles long shots can be made, even to one mile distance.
Those type of guns we don't discuss here.
But as others have already said, shooting smaller cal. guns to 100-200 yds. can be of great challenge enough.
Fred

Old Ford said:

( had more hair, better looking, ....)

Click to expand...

Do you have any documentation for that? :haha:

Spence

George said:

Old Ford said:

( had more hair, better looking, ....)

Click to expand...

Do you have any documentation for that? :haha:

Spence

Click to expand...

Hello Spence, send your email, and I will gladly send you some pictures of me in my youth, even have some with my birthday suit. :wink:
Fred

Old Ford

140 grains would leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

I use 86 grains of 2f swiss. Plenty of powder for my long range rifles.

When I wear my shooting jacket, there is no recoil pain or displeasure what so ever.

Having the right equipment and knowing how to use it helps.

Fleener

George said:

Old Ford said:

( had more hair, better looking, ....)

Click to expand...

Do you have any documentation for that? :haha:

Spence

Click to expand...

All the hair covers his face!😂

Old Ford said:

, even have some with my birthday suit. :wink:
Fred

Click to expand...

That's very likely a LOT more detail than is required.... :nono: