I've been reading over and over about placing the butt of the rifle into the "pocket" of your shoulder - and holding it tight. I did this back in the day with a 28ga and 20ga shotgun - and it was the most miserable shooting experience I've had.
Since then, I've run up to 10ga shotguns holding ON my shoulder - and avoiding the pocket. It's a hard spot where the clavicle meets the shoulder bones - about the same place most people are trained to put an AR-15.
When I do try to "pull" a rifle into the "pocket" of my shoulder (below the articulation of clavicle and shoulder joint - distal end of the pectoral muscle), any pressure of trying to pull the rifle into the pocket results in discomfort - and any mild-medium (.308-.30-06) recoil is a bit painful - it feels like it's trying to stretch/yank that end of my pectoral muscle. After shooting, it's definitely more sensitive and bruises far easier.
So, what am I doing wrong? If we're supposed to put the butt into that "pocket", why does it hurt more going into the pocket vs. onto the shoulder itself/onto shoulder to the side of the pocket?
PS - Mods - Did not know where to put this. The majority of my shooting is with centerfire rifles - hence placement in this forum.
Since then, I've run up to 10ga shotguns holding ON my shoulder - and avoiding the pocket. It's a hard spot where the clavicle meets the shoulder bones - about the same place most people are trained to put an AR-15.
When I do try to "pull" a rifle into the "pocket" of my shoulder (below the articulation of clavicle and shoulder joint - distal end of the pectoral muscle), any pressure of trying to pull the rifle into the pocket results in discomfort - and any mild-medium (.308-.30-06) recoil is a bit painful - it feels like it's trying to stretch/yank that end of my pectoral muscle. After shooting, it's definitely more sensitive and bruises far easier.
So, what am I doing wrong? If we're supposed to put the butt into that "pocket", why does it hurt more going into the pocket vs. onto the shoulder itself/onto shoulder to the side of the pocket?
PS - Mods - Did not know where to put this. The majority of my shooting is with centerfire rifles - hence placement in this forum.