[hansolo]

Howdy. I have a bit of experience with handguns and rifles, not shotguns. I recently visited my brother's ranch in Texas(Yeehaw!). Day one: a rattler was crossing the road(no punch line)...brother turns the Jeep around, pulls up to the house and tells me to grab the 12 guage and a box of shells: we're goin' snake-hunting! He knows I'm into shooting, but doesn't know that I haven't fired a shotgun:confused I inform him of my Yankee ignorance: he says, "Just load a few shells, point in the general direction of the snake and pull the trigger...easy!" I pull the butt into my shoulder, expecting a powerful recoil...KABOOM! The buttstock slid off my shoulder and into my right bicep:what:
I had no problem earlier with his Swedish Mauser, but this Remington just kicked my, uh, shoulder! I later used the "police" method of letting the shotgun swing "underhand" and it worked great(for ME, not the snake, RIP). Now that I'm hooked on this firearm, any tips to avoid crushing my right shoulder while firing 12 g. shells? Thanks!

[Dave McCracken]

Lessons from a qualified instructor help immensely.

Failing that, read the floating thread on Proper Mounting Techniques at the top of this forum.

[45Badger]

Han-

Ditto what Dave said on reading the thread. There is also a another thread on TFL (by Dave, IIRC) on same subject.

I was getting killed by recoil of 5-10 rounds out of my 870. Turns out stock was a hair long, recoil pad was beat, and I was not mounting correctly. Bought a new (slightly shorter, with new pad) stock, got my right elbow up higher to form better pocket. Shot 30 rounds ( Federal slugs and 00 buck) without a flinch or bruise.