Posted: 1/19/2004 10:17:32 PM EDT
| I know it's probably a simple reason, but how come when I target shoot a big game rifle I notice the kick, & the noise so much? And when I hunt if I get a shot at a deer, or other animal, with the same weapon, my ears don't ring, & I don't notice the kick at all? I would imagine it's the same in a self defense situation, but I would like to know the physical reason The kick, & sound seam to disappear at stressful situations. |
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I've noticed the same thing. I assume it's adrenaline. The old ticker always start pumping every time I put the crosshairs on a whitetail and doesn't seem to settle down until after the field dressing is done... never notice the kick or the report. Be me to it Kar |
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It is pure adrenaline! Your ears still hear it the same but you pay no mind to it because you are cauhgt up in the moment and all of your attention is focused on making the shot. At the range, you know you will get the shot because the paper will never move! So then you think about recoil and sound also..... Rob |
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It's odd... My dad is that way. He gets all hopped up when it comes time to pull the trigger on an animal. For me, it is no different than shooting at a tin can or a paper target. An exercise in marksmanship. Breathe, sight, squeeze, boom. The end. I get no more excitement or rush out of killing an animal as I do out of reading a book. But for some reason, I have to do it. Every year, year after year... If I don't hunt, I feel empty. I'm calm about it, very calculating when I hunt- but I get no "rush" per-se, other than the immense drive to do it. |
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I agree with the above, and will also add that I think intense concentration comes into play as well... When you're REALLY concentrating on your target(game animal, or defensive situation, for example), you won't notice recoil as much(if at all)... Focused concentration on your target, and proper follow through will "distract" you from feeling recoil, or noticing muzzle blast as much... Another thing that affects "felt recoil" is shooting position, and clothing - field positions usually reduce felt recoil as opposed to prone, or bench rest - and so do hunting clothes... I bought a Past recoil pad awhile ago, and it has been a great purchase!!! I hunt deer with 3" saboted slugs through a 12ga pump, and also a .300WM bolt gun, and not only does the Past pad make shooting these a pleasure, it also simulates the same stock fit that I have while in hunting clothing - I'd highly recommend it... Someone once said that "flinch begins at the bench, not the field", and I agree 100%... I also spend a fair amount of time shooting .22s, which keeps my shooting sharp, and has improved my handgunning skills immensly... Same thing with dry firing... - georgestrings |
| I can' t stresss enough, EAR PROTECTION! Ya know what? certain cells in the body regenerate while others do not. Thats why if you sever your spinal cord your paralyzed forever. While if you sever your pinga the doctors can sew it back on with only a small loss of feeling (thank GOD!). And so it is with hearing. Lose your hearing and it's gone for good you won't get it back. I use double ear protection on the range And I suggest that when hunting you should wear those electronic ear muffs that allow perfect hearing but once a sound above a certain decibel is heard it 'shuts off' the noise. Ear protection is really important for those who shoot. |