Need some advice...

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CarJunkieLS1

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It appears with my "bad" shoulder I won't be able hunt and shoot lefty like I have all my life. I'm hoping this will only last a few months and after that I'll be able to go back shooting the right way :D

I am planning on trying to shoot right handed (good shoulder) to hunt with this year and sight in the rifle with. I want to shoot as little as possible to limit risk of further damage. I also want to shoot with as little recoil as possible. I have 2 rifles I'm thinking about using, both are ready to go and all they need it to have zero checked. Of these 2 which would you choose.

Both rifles shot 1-1.5MOA (plenty for 100yd and in deer) Not sure if it matter but the 30-06 is a bolt action and the .308 is semi-auto.

Sorry if I'm overthinking this but I'm willing to wager some of you hunters have had shoulder injuries/issues thought you could offer some insight. Thanks

1. Mossberg ATR .30-06
150gr Interlock, 59.5 gr RL-19, @ approx 2625fps

2. Winchester Model 100
165gr Speer BTSP 43gr IMR 4064, @ approx 2600fps
 
The Win 100 is a good gun. I like the SKS/FAL style dropping bolt safety sear. Good solid gun with greatly reduced recoil versus a bolt action.
 
You didn't say what problem you have with your shoulder, but if you can hold a rifle steady to shoot it can't be very bad.

Past has two recoil shields you can use to pad your shoulder with, the regular is about $20.00 and the large caliber is about $30.00.

If your determined to shoot right handed I would use the Winchester 100 you wont have to think about operating the bolt.

The first time I had my shoulder operated on was Oct 5 1995, Nov 16 1995 I Shot a deer with my Winchester 100 in .308 Win, didn't bother me at all.
Just had it operated on again on Sept 17 and will be using my Browning X-bolt in .308 Win again this Nov.
 
I have a torn labrum in my shoulder and the doctor told me to let it rest for the next 4-6 weeks then see where I am at. He told me absolutely no shooting...I asked and he strongly advised against it. He did say I could use my other shoulder and will be fine.

I have lost some grip strength in my left hand and I can't hold a rifle to my hurt shoulder without pain, adding recoil to that situation isn't gonna be good. I tried to use my left hand on the forearm of the rifle and it was painful also. Looks like I'll be using a front rest on my shooting house window this year.
 
After a shoulder repair I was in great pain. That is the first year I hunted with an AR. No pain at all and was far more effective than I expected. If you do not want to use a different rifle I would go with the semi auto with reduced or low recoil loads. Or maybe use a .357 mag pistol. I have done that too.
 
Thanks for the advice. I'll try to shoot at the range right handed and if I'm happy with the results then that's what I'll do to hunt this year. And it seems the semi auto will be easier on the shoulder so I'll go with it too. I'm using the lowest powder charge I can and still have reliability and accuracy. Here's to hoping all goes the way I plan (cheers) and besides a 53yr old rifle deserves to be used and hunted with right? I'm betting she has a lot of experience in the woods ;)
L
 
Yes, I would think the semi-auto would be easier, as it would require less movement. The idea is to keep your shoulder as rested as possible, which I get can be difficult. The Winchester 100 would be my pick in your situation, but definitely spend some time at the range to see.
 
Ain't no way you'll be shooting anything with that tear without making it a whole lot worse.
I'd forget the Mossberg altogether. The Winchester is going to have less felt recoil, but the recoil is still there. You'll likely be ok in a stand using a rest to hold the rifle up though.
Rotator cuff tear on one side and something else the medicals can't figure out on the other. Apparently it mostly has to do with being a geezer.
 
the heavier a bullet is, typically the more felt recoil and kick itll have at comparable energy levels ,a .243 will kill anything on this continent just as easy but do so with significantly less felt recoil.. id suggest changing caliber, combine that with a thicker recoil pad and perhaps some extra padding over your shoulder and you might be able to handle it shooting with your left shoulder

also, a different muzzle device could help as well on top of a smaller caliber

a big 30 cal is by no means a requirement to dropping bambi, you could even step down to a much smaller 6x45mm with significantly less recoil yet, and still reliably take deer
 
Thanks again guys you all have definitely given me a lot of advice to "chew on." A caliber switch isn't in the cards as I don't have the time or $ for a different rifle. The .308 and .30-06 are my only two feasible choices.

Looks like the .308 is the clear winner and I will definitely be getting some range time with it before season.
 
I saw someone at a range using a V strap attached to a bench many years ago, before the lead sleds became popular. I found this little article from a search. Since your going to be able to use a front rest from the shooting house window, maybe you can add one of these straps to your position as well. Good Luck:)

V-Straps: A V-strap is a relatively simple, yet effective, recoil arresting device in the form of a v-shaped strap, made from seatbelt type material. The butt of the rifle rests inside the apex of the V, while the ends of the strap are attached securely to the front of the bench, or even to the front face of the bench over the front edge. The rifle will sit on a rest as normal and the strap should be kept relatively taut before firing. The material limits the rewards motion of the rifle and will stretch slightly to absorb the recoil force. While simple in design, V-straps will need to be home made, as they are not available commercially for shooting. Additionally, you will need two strong attachment points somewhere at the front of your bench. If you are using the bench at a club range, then lack of attachment points may mean this option is not available to you.
 
UPDATE : several of you guys saw my post asking about which rifle I should choose to shoot right handed because of my bad shoulder.

I chose the .308 and shot it right handed today...accuracy wasn't excellent but a 3 shot group was 1.5 MOA @ 100yds. Certainly enough to drop deer. Made the adjustments necessary to zero it and the next 3 shots were centered about 1" high and 1/4" right of bullseye about the size of a half dollar then I shot a milk jug full of water and it exploded and split right down the middle.

Recoil was very mild and accuracy was acceptable...at least I have a back up plan if my "shooting" shoulder isn't healed up before rifle season.

.308 Win Model 100
165gr Speer BTSP
Lake City brass
42gr IMR 4064
estimated ~2600fps
 
Glad to hear its working for you.
I'd go to the range as much as possible before season to get used to shooting right handed, its more mental than anything.
 
Plan to shoot it a few more times before season starts in late November. Shooting this rifle right handed isn't the preferable way to shoot, but at least I have a back up plan if my shoulder doesn't heal.
 
Do what I do, reload reduced loads. I use 308 and 25-06. Get some Speer 150 grbtsp (item 2022 I believe) and push them to about 2600-2700 fps with a somewhat faster powder such as h4198 or use the reduced load I do for h4895. In an 8 lb gun most of my loads kick less than a 243 with factory ammo and are all good for deer out to 300 yards. Google recoil calculator to check your load.

You could also use the 125 ballistic tips or even the sierra 110 gr varmint bullets which actually will work on deer.
 
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