Shoulder / Bicep padding?

H

Hockeybob

Active member
My 75-year-old father is one of our "Professional" Blockers. He can't walk like he used too but he will tell you that the "Best shots block" and the the rest walk.
Anyhow, I think he must get tired holding the gun push after push and ends up with poor form. He will get the nastiest bruise after a few days in SD in the high Bicep / low shoulder area. Right near the armpit crease.
Last year he yelled out loud the last day from the pain as he shot at a rooster. I think it's a little late for proper shoulder mounting tips but I was wondering from a padding perspective does anyone have any ideas to pad the area so it's not so painful for him?

Thanks for your replies,

Bob
 
I would get a really nice pad put on his gun by a gunsmith. Also is he shooting a double gun or a gas powered auto?
 
Both Gander Mt. and Cabala's sell pads that protect the shoulder. You can go on line and select from several, as well. And I second the special recoil pad idea. I've had both of these on my guns for 10 years. Kick-ezz is one pad...

The size of the shell will make a big difference in recoil.

An over and under will kick more than a gas gun.
 
Past manufactures a shoulder pad and seems to be of good quality. I prefer installing my pad into the recoil pad in my hunting shirt; you would need to remodel the existing pads to integrate it into a shirt.

Two recoil pads", Limbsaver and Pachmayre. Both will absorb the recoil and appear to be equal in quality.

Hope this helps...
 
not sure what gun he shoots, but he could try reduced loads, like 2 3/4 inch 1 oz.- 12 gauge loads and also get a heavier gun. like a sporting clay gun. after shoot a couple 100 rounds at trap I can't even tell I shot a gun.

if he is not walking a heavier gun isn't a bad thing, and will greatly reduce the kick.


before you look into the padding make sure his gun and loads isn't the problem.



Jim
 
Also consider one the guns with the hydraulics in the stock (such as a Beretta A400) that dampen the recoil some.
 
A bruise where you mentioned is an indicator that the gun length of pull is too long. Adding a pad in clothing or onto the existing gun may exacerbate this if the LOP is too long. I would seriously pursue fitting a gun properly by an experienced gun fitter, not a store clerk. It will almost certainly require altering the gun, as that's the whole point. Don't be surprised if you need to cut the stock 1/2 to 1". Have the gun fitted with your dad wearing hunting clothing. Most people forget this. Adding a good modern recoil pad, such as the Limbsaver might be a good idea when the gun is being fitted as well. Thicker pads require more wood to be cut off the stock to maintain the proper LOP.

The Beretta auto butt stock is an easily replaced part and affordable. Your brother may want to have one for himself and one for your father.

Gunfitting is the most overlooked aspect of shotgunning.

But, as others mentioned, a softer recoiling load is another good approach. Shooting 1200 fps / 1 oz or 1 1/8 oz loads should help. I had trouble finding 1 oz 12 ga in shot sizes appropriate for pheasant in stores. I mail ordered them. That gas 12 ga Beretta should shoot softer that the Citori 20 ga if both are shooting the same weight of load at the same velocity.
 
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+1. Gun should be of proper length to mount on shoulder instead of bicep. Good advice. Should never cause pain. I am 76 & heavy loads hunting never bother me. Shorter vs longer is always better.
 
I shoot guns with hard buttplates. Moderate loads and the fact that each of my guns is custom fitted allows me to shoot clays all day or hunt.
 
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