Post Surgery Caliber for hunting in fall '09

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BENELLIMONTE

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Gentlemen,

I am going in for C3-C4 Discectomy and R wrist Carpal Tunnel Surgery the 31st of March.
My question; does anyone have prior experience with these procedures and how long it will take to recover in time for shooting high powered rifles in preperation for fall 09 hunting for elk, moose, deer, antelope and black bear.
Anybody have suggestions for a caliber that would cover all the mentioned species but not put undue stress on my neck & wrist while recovering.

Thanks in advance for your rersponses.
 
It's possible a 25-06 could work. Would be better also if it were to be heavy barreled o reduce recoil even further.

Even a 7mm-08 loaded with Remington low recoil ammunition.
 
Sounds like you are still young enough to make a recovery in time. I would go with a semi-auto in 7.62X39, possibly a good SKS or if you are worried about shot placement a Remington 750 series in .243.
 
Had both hands done about two years ago. Wisest decision I ever made!! Not sure about the C3-C4 issue and and how recoil would work against you. By hunting season, your hand(s) should be 100%.

I shoot a 25-06 and a 7mm-08 and both are fantastic alternatives to some of the heavier calibers. The lightest recoiling rifle I shoot is a Win Mod 70 30-06 with a muzzle brake. I shoot 130gr hand loads that ballistically come close to a Win 270 but feels like a .223.

My Tikka T3 light 25-06 is my every day hunting rifle. I don't mind banging is around as much as I do the nice wood on my Mod 70's.

If I had to pick one: I choose the 7mm-08 for versatility.

EDIT: Just noticed the game you are seeking. 25-06 is not enough gun IMO, so run with a 7mm-08 or something with a brake.

Good luck.
 
With similar though not identical problems a couple of years ago. I pedaled the 45-70's and the .35's and even the o6's.

7mm-308 was a good choice, one Remington model 7 for 'walking around huntin' and an T/C Encore for blind and long range (mostly sittin').

Best idea I ever got talked into. Had money left over to buy more handguns too.

Borrow a 7-08 from someone and try a few rounds, that's what sold me!

Basically a 7x57 in a different case, IMHO a perfect deer cartridge, and Karamojo Bell killed hundreds of Elephants with a 7x57 in the old days'.

I use 140 grain on everything and it works, can't say about Moose, never shot one with a 7-08, but the 140's work on everything else on your list. Might want 154 for Moose or really big Elk.

I did put laminated stocks on both of mine, just to pretty them up and get a tad more weight to absorb as much recoil as possible.

FWIW I've got 20 years or so on you and I love my 7-08's. Kinda fond of the not hurting part too! :)

Good Luck,

Regards,
:)
 
been through both, not at the same time, but still. anyway. i wouldn't worry so much about the recoil, unless you shoot something truely monsterous. the tough part will simply getting through the terrain TO HUNT. :what: also, the biggest suprise i had when returning to hunting was about getting BACK to the truck. in the beginning of the day, you are rested, and feeling pretty decent. but after trudging around all day, having a few mis-steps, and sitting in the cold, wet, semi-uncomfortable blind, it all takes a toll. and then, there is the whole "getting the animal back to the truck. if you are going to hunt anything larger than small game that you can easily pack into your vest, DO NOT underestimate how difficult it will be to drag that puppy out of the woods. fortunately for me, i realized this after about 1/2 of a day of hunting, BEFORE i shot an animal and had to drag it 500 yards. plan your hunt around 1 thing. being able to drive out to the game to retrieve it. of course, my back surgery did not fix my problem, so you may end up in better shape, and i sincerely hope you do! but still, for the first bit, you do not want to overstress your back. i have adapted by hunting where i can drive to the animal, (which means hunting feilds, or close to the truck) and by purchaseing an atv (which in gustoppo michigan :fire: means only hunting on atv trails) to help with the retreival (and scouting, getting me to and from the blind, etc.). i wish you the best of luck with your surgeries! if you have any questions, p.m. me, i will be happy to reply.
 
I had Carpal Tunnel sugury at the end of February. The doctor said it was as bad as it gets. It's really sore and tender at first. for the first month I was suppose to not lift any thing heavy and to avoid chopping wood etc. of course I did the opposite. In spite of my self my hand is feeling alot better.

Just give your hand time to heal and you will be fine. Ask the question to your doctor see what he thinks.
 
Had carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists few years ago; actually on one wrist had it twice. As I recall, a couple of months and the wrists were good. Finally bit the bullet after trying every brace, wrap, etc. known. Smart decision. Don't know about the C3-C4. Had an ICD implanted a year or so ago. Cardiologist said no more rifles. Period. (I'm left handed and the devise is in my left chest.) As I'm primarily a hand gun shooter, I could live with that. Pun intended. :) Good luck.
 
I had c 3-4 5-6 and 6-7. I am not 100% But then I have a bruised cord rtoo and lucky to be walking, eating, wiping my own behind. 8 mo after I was shooting a nova with 3.5 magnums.

DOnt worry.
 
Thanks to all of you for the advice and encouragement. It sounds like my big boomers will be sitting in the safe for another year. I wonder if hunting big game in Idaho with a taser gun is legal:D.
 
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For the last 3, a pistol caliber lever gun would do nicely as long as you arent looking for long range. A 44 mag out of a 20 inch barrel would be good medicine for black bear and smaller. Not sure on elk or moose though...
 
well, I am not understanding why this will effect your shooting... I would understand if you were having shoulder surgery or even back surgery, but this is in your wrist, the physical healing process may take a few months and full range of motion may take longer, but I see no reason why this will effect your shooting. if you were worried about straining it or hurting it otherwise, then wear a brace that is made especially for that problem. as far as your back, it is more a problem of mobility.

but I would avoid hunting with a pistol as it takes more wrist and finger strength and flexibility. you should have no problem with a mild rifle.. try a 270 or a 243 if you are worried about it, but I dont see any reason to buy something new unless your old hunting rifle is a 300 win-mag...
 
Anyone who says "don't worry" or "go out and shoot cannons" after cervical surgery is giving you some seriously bad advise. ANY cervical surgery recovery should be taken individually and not judged by anecdotal stories. There are FAR too many "failed surgery syndromes" and you don't know until you know. Judge yourself according to your recovery. Talk to your Doctors during recovery. Guage your progress during Physical Therapy. When YOU and your doctor think you are ready, start a little practice with small calibers and work up.

Me? I had laminoplasty and Laminectomies from C2 to T3. Now, I have to get C2 to C4 fusions. I can shoot a 20 ga but not a 12. I'm looking at the Benelli M2 in 20 to replace my SXS 20.

Do you really want to shoot a heavy calibre and then later feel like there is something wrong? This area controls your ENTIRE body. You really want to risk that? You're not some snotty nosed teenager who can get up from a motorcycle crash and walk away. ;)
 
m96.....6.5 x 55

and only hunt small large game......

7mm-08 from your inventory gets my vote
 
1.) Wear ear muffs that filter out loud noises but allow wildlife sounds through.

2.) Have your regular hunting rifle fitted with an efficient muzzle break.


I have shot a 7mm STW that had a break. It was louder than the dickens but it recoiled like a 223.
 
Bennelimonte;

Claude gave you some very good advice, the 6.5 Swede is a very viable choice for your needs. Check the S/D's & B/C's. You'll see what it's capable of.

900F
 
CoRoMo,

The only way my wife would let me buy another gun is if President Nobama slips me the money in some sort of porky-stimulus bailout for middle aged, crippled hunters:uhoh:
 
get good braces for wrist and back
physical condition before the procedure has alot to do with healing time as does old fashioned grit
if you can walk your way out to the shooting spot the rifle wont hurt you
still expect anywhere from a month to several
listen to your body
dont be a wuss but dont push it too far either
but really these are questions you should discuss with your physician
 
Discuss this with your neurosurgeon. Listen to his advice or you will be forced to deal with chronic neck pain. Neurosurgeons are literally brain surgeons and are smarter than you and i. Listen to their advice. And remember, you do not know better than they do, especially when you are discussing their field of expertise with them.
 
Thanks to all you for your responses to my question. A bit of background about myself. I am a licensed health care professional. I know quite a bit about the 2 seperate surgical procedures; carpal tunnel decompression & C5-6 discectomy. What I wanted to know from my fellow hunters who actually had the procedure was what was your own experience with rehabbing and how your surgery actually affected your ability to hunt/shoot high powered rifles and shotguns afterwards.
 
A great deal depends on what kind of shape you are in and what kind of recouperative powers you exhibit post-surgery. All the thinking, and even wishing and hoping, won't change that when the time comes. The type of game you'll be after also will require a fairly stout round, I would think. You can limit it as much as you want, I suppose, but you can't limit it and still be an effective hunter ... unless, of yourse, you are a heck of a good shot.

In the final analysis, only you can determine what you can handle and what you can't ... and whether what you can handle is adequate for the job you set out to do.
 
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