Spike Camp

Weatherby Nation => Around the Campfire (General Discussion) => Topic started by: Marishka on October 11, 2020, 12:07:36 PM

Title: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: Marishka on October 11, 2020, 12:07:36 PM
Several years ago, I re[ported on losing the vision in my righteye to Glaucoma. Since then, I have been lifting my Mk Vs to my left shoulder to shooting position. It took quite some time for me to be comfortable with quickly raising to my left side. But, finally I got to where I wanted to be and elected to go to a local range today for the next step.

Because I am planning to go to Alaska next fall for a big brown, instead of starting with something small, I took my  Mk V in ,375 H&H. I guess I was thinking about how easy it was to shoot on my right side. Of course, I was shooting on my right side for more than 60 years when Glaucoma hit my right eye. And, to further aggravate the situation, I had not fired any rifle in over two (2) years.

So, I arrived at the range and planned only to do a sight in, As soon as I shot my first shot, I had a wow reaction. For my left shoulder was a virgin shoulder. So, Wow, what a recoil and it left my left shoulder in a state of temporary paralysis.

But, what about the target, Well, I will tell you, I did hit the paper. But, the bullet was very high and to the right. Notwithstanding that, I was able to acclimate myself to the environment. So, I stopped, took out some wire. Well that could have been the end of it. I said no and fired know volley.


Anyway, I was able to shoot. Instead of running from the first, I ended up with the points I needed. The recoil felt substantial and shook me up. So what! I just kept shooting and adjusting until I was dead center. My shoulder is a bit stiff and sore which should all change when I shoot again,

Title: Re: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: eford on October 11, 2020, 12:24:59 PM
All I will say is you have the guts and desire to hunt, no matter how much of a change it takes for becoming a lefty shooter. Keep going.
Title: Re: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: Grouchy on October 11, 2020, 12:32:18 PM
Hope it works out! 
Title: Re: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: Derrill Fox on October 11, 2020, 02:10:40 PM
Good luck with your shooting David.   ;D
Title: Re: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: pr-diesel-doc on October 11, 2020, 02:52:16 PM
I shoot righthanded, but am left eye dominate. I've played with the idea of trying to switch to shooting lefthanded a few times, that is, till I try to shoulder a rifle/shotgun lefthanded. It just doesn't feel natural and give up the idea quickly. I know its a product of habit over the years and I've heard some people that have made the successful switch to the opposite shooting side say... "it can be done, you just need to stay focused and stay at it. It takes time" It just feels so odd doing so....
Title: Re: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: Grouchy on October 11, 2020, 02:57:13 PM
You might consider a left handed rifle just for the proper ejection.  I broke my arm in 7 places a few years back and learned to be ambidextrous. I was in a cast after a operation for a bit over 6 months. Qualifying for the Sheriff's handgun shooting, the "offhand" was easy. I actually out shot the class leader!  ;D
Title: Re: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: zonie on October 11, 2020, 08:45:37 PM
My wife is right handed and left eye dominant and that's how she shoots.  If it works  for her why change.   
Title: Re: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: BB340 on October 11, 2020, 08:55:37 PM
Well done in getting back behind the rifle. I wish you all the luck for your future hunts.

I am ambidextrous when shooting, although I shoot right handed 99% of the time. I really only shoot left handed when I am hunting off my ATV or out the window of my truck and I cannot turn to make a right handed shot.

If possible you should try a left handed Weatherby rifle as they are designed to recoil away from you and therefore lessen the felt recoil. I know that shooting my Weatherbys left handed makes the recoil feel worst then right handed. 
Title: Re: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: GrandeJuan on October 12, 2020, 07:26:57 AM
Bravo, sir. GJ
Title: Re: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: Marishka on October 12, 2020, 05:48:36 PM
It took some time to be able to naturally bring a rifle quickly into shooting position on my left shoulder followed by quickly cycling rounds with my right hand. Once I got that done and had been doing it better and better for about 4 months, it was time to go to the range. My selection of the .375 H&H was to test myself and my ability to immediately get into a proper shooting groove without flinching or jerking with anticipation of the recoil.

When I bought that Swarovski Z6 scope for it, I had hopes of the scientists soon finding a means of getting the stem cell created optic nerve ganglions to connect to the brain. Alas, that still has not been achieved and here was my Mk V in .375 H&H with the Z6 that needed sighting in. So, with those considerations, that was my choice.

I must say that when I shot the first round I was not ready for the recoil. Quite a bit of time had passed since I had shot a powerful rifle, a couple of years in fact. I said wow!

After that, I took a bit of time to think about it as I checked the hole made by that first shot as very high and to the right. No, I had not flinched, that was just how far out the scope was. But, then came the test.

When I loaded the second round, I had to catch myself because I started to jerk at the trigger. I was concerned that I might develop that bad habit when I decided to go to the range.

I said to myself that I was not to be defeated. So, I gathered myself and just set it in my mind that I knew how to squeeze the trigger even though the recoil was substantial. And, I knew it was not going to kill me.

I squeezed the next round and continued squeezing round after round, notwithstanding the recoil, until I was dead center after 5 rounds. I looked the the target and was extremely happy. That was great! But, I was not satisfied.

I shot 2 more for a 3 shot group to see how well I could group. No problem, even with the recoil,  the group was just as good as when shooting with my rifle on my right shoulder. Hallelujah, I still had it!

Oh, Yes, my shoulder still hurts. But, that - to me - is pale when compared to the accomplishment. I  had not been shooting for several years and now was shooting on my left where I had never shot before. Actually, it was like shooting my first center fire rifle - that I bought in my late teens - a 7mm Remington Magnum. The impact from its recoil on my right shoulder then was painfully the same as what I was now experiencing.

Even though that is the price you pay with a virgin shoulder, over time the pay off comes after repeated use. Because, with repeated use, you and your shoulder eventually gets used to it.

Now, I can say that I am very pleased with my shooting yesterday. Now, I am not kidding when I say that it is my intention to book my next Alaska hunt for next fall for a big Brown. I cannot think of anything foreseeable that will stand in the way of that. I just hope that I can get someone, who knows how to use a camera, to go with me so that I will have some good photos to post.
Title: Re: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: zonie on October 13, 2020, 11:14:30 AM
Sounds like you are right on track preparing for your great Alaskan hunt .     Do you know where you will be hunting in Alaska ? 
Title: Re: Virgin Shoulder
Post by: Marishka on October 13, 2020, 05:06:14 PM
So that I can properly schedule, I will not book until the early Spring. My first choice is the Kodiak Island area, second is the Alaskan Peninsula. I want a big bear. I believe the terrane will be just about the same as Kuiu Island where I shot a 450 lb Black Bear in 2010. And, the stalk, and tracking, will probably be the same as on Kuiu.

Now, that I had such a success on Sunday, the excitement is building. In fact, my shoulder had already recovered from the recoil on Sunday.