"Skeet Shoulder"

[fish2xs]

I have become a semi-regular at our club's Sunday trap & skeet range. I'm having
a blast - but my shoulder is killing me!

I shot about 4 to 5 rounds (1 round = 25 shots) yesterday and my shouder was
aching in a big way last night - no numbness, just aches.

I shoot an 870 pump 12g, and use Remington high velocity or heavy dove loads
in 8, 7 or 7.5 shot (whatever Walmart has on Saturday).

I'm 39 and while in reasonable shape, I traditionally avoid the gym during the
month of January (I don't like competing with the new year resolutionists). So
it's been over a month since I've even seen a weight.

I know a 20g semi would help, and I plan to get back to the gym in the next week
or 2. However, are there any remedies out there that will make my trips less
painful? (and not require another purchase?)

thanks!

 

[bamf]

100-125 of heavy high velocity loads would begin to wear down anybody especially when done quickly.

Perhaps switching to lighter loads, like the standard velocity or the light target loads would help or get a better recoil pad, the stock one on the 870 ain't the softest thing in the world either.

20ga semi would certainly kick less, but it doesn't really sound like you need it.

 

[TrapperReady]

Save the heavy loads for birds. Clays can be blown into powder or have a single chip fly off and it all counts the same. Especially for skeet, where the distances are short, the high velocity stuff does nothing but beat you up.

I'd advise getting the lightest target load you can, probably an ounce, with the velocity around 1150fps. Those will make a HUGE difference.

 

[Sunray]

Use the right target velocity ammo and put on a recoil pad or buy a semi-auto.

 

[Jim Watson]

You are way overloaded for clay pigeons.
The Winchester AA Extra Lite Target load at 2 3/4 dram, 1 ounce, or similar from Remington STS or Federal Gold Medal, is good but will cost more than discount store promotional and cheap hunting loads. The least expensive factory load I could find was the Challenger brand at Graf & Sons.

http://www.grafs.com/shopRegularproducts.cfm/startItem/1

I am recommending the CH40008, one ounce of No 8s at 1200 fps for $40.99 a case (10 boxes.) Recoil will be about 20% less than those heavy dove loads and the load is plenty for skeet or 16 yd to middle handicap trap. I don't know the quality of Challenger, but it has to be better than Walmart specials.

I reload, making up 7/8 oz loads for skeet and one ounce for trap, about 1150 fps. A couple of cases of premium target shells to get the hulls and a MEC loader would be the best solution, but you said you didn't want to buy anything new.

 

[Dave McCracken]

A lighter shot charge, a slower load, a heavier shotgun, and better form will all help turn the recoil mule into a pony.

Going to an oz load that's 100 FPS slower will not hurt your average, and will help on the kick.

Adding 4-6 oz of weight will help also. Check the old TFL threads on reocil reducers. Cost is mere pennies.

Better form is essential. Make sure ALL the pad is in contact with your shoulder, use your firing hand to pull it in firmly.

Read the 101 threads, there's more info there.

 

[sm]

Agree with lighter loads, gun fit , form...

Just a thought, double check to see if YOUR recoil pad FITS your form. I know sounds stupid. Maybe inside of pad, toe and heel is "digging in", we are all different and maybe an adjustment to your shoulder pocket will help. Smooth and contour.

This is not often mentioned, but check it out. Oh for ladies, a must check for ladies.

Dry shaving powder another tip/trick. Gun and face are gonna rub, if sticking, can and will affect shooters' responses. Kind of like anticipating recoil and flinching, putting gun out of pocket. Little stuff adds up to alot.

(and not require another purchase?)

new purchases are not required, ,ALWAYS recommended...whatever excuse works - use it

I can appreciate your hesitation upon reading suggestions...I'm the idiot that shot 16 practice rounds of skeet in one day. For fear of getting a bit serious I cut it down to 12, then 10 then 8...settled on 8/9 at a time. I ran almost 3 boxes once in a shoot-off ...stamina and tenacity has a place - being nuts can't hurt either.