This is topic Need shooting help in forum Member forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://www.huntmastersbbs.com/cgi-bin/cgi-ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=002292
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on February 02, 2010, 03:26 PM:
I have a friend that recently had open heart bypass surgery that unfortunately was followed by a serious chest infection. He then required another open chest operation to clean up the infection and it was discovered that the sternum bone was so damaged that his sternum had to be removed. To cover the chest opening left by removing the sternum, he then had plastic surgery on his chest. This plastic surgery covers the chest opening, but without the normal strong surgical 'tying together' of the sternum bone and rib cage for maximum strength.
Soooooo, although his chest is considered strong enough for normal, day to day activities, both surgeons have strongly advised him that shoulder firing large caliber rifles or shotgun w/magnum shells is strictly forbidden. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Long story, less long; He is now looking for any/all ideas/advice so he can continue shooting larger rifles & shotguns.
So, I thought I would ask all members if they personally had or knew of someone with a physical limitation involving the arm, shoulder or chest that had overcome this problem to continue shooting the heavier guns.......and how was it accomplished???
Much Thanx!!!!
Posted by Aznative (Member # 506) on February 02, 2010, 07:17 PM:
I don't know of anyone that had to overcome such limitations. I feel for your friend. The best idea I have is to go to tripod mounted guns. They make 1919s is semi versions. I've heard you can get the real deal from a guy named Douglas Longfinger if you want to go class three route.
Unfortunately, this won't help your friend if he wants to shoot a 30/06 he can also carry in the field. Muzzle brakes are effective. So are suppressors at reducing recoil. I believe laser sighting systems eliminate the requirement to shoulder the shotgun or rifle, and permit shooting from the hip fairly well if practiced. I doubt they would work in full sunlight. I just don't know of a simple fix that would work in all situations. Maybe a gas operated muzzle braked 243. You could probably get a Browning in Commyfornia. Get an R25 or have Carey make one in the other 49 states. Big enuogh to take on Deer and Bear.
Posted by Nikonut (Member # 188) on February 02, 2010, 07:40 PM:
I had a friend that had multiple bypasses and multiple open heart surgeries... Curt eventually passed but he was a hardcore shooter, he was also an engineer. He designed a vest that would cover the whole upper chest similar to a body cast and somewhat like a bullet proof vest. Straps held it together and distributed the load. He never got it finished but that could still possibly work for your friend.
When I had both of my shoulders crushed at work(railroad accident)they put me in a double sided vest that was something like Curt was working on...
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on February 03, 2010, 01:26 AM:
Pistol grip and thumbhole stocks can be very effective at reducing recoil felt at the shoulder.
My Mosin-Nagant in original form (7.62 x 54R) was a brutal beast, but with the combination of a pistol grip, and a Limbsaver pad, it's more than reasonable now.
Krusty 
Posted by TundraWookie (Member # 1044) on February 03, 2010, 07:33 AM:
I'm real sorry to hear about your friends medical problems, I hope he's healing up quickly. My initial thoughts were the tripod and the thickest limbsaver pad he could find. The vest idea that Nikonut talked about sounded very promising as well. I was thinking that if he needed to keep his upper chest area more rigid, so as to not flex as much under the pressure of the shooting, a rigid frame pack might work. I know it would take a bit of getting used to, but it could help. There's a place in Anchorage that has custom frame packs and there's a shorter model I believe they make that would be more comfortable for sitting and shooting. With that thing strapped to his back and keeping his butt of the rifle on the thick shoulder pads, it might help some. Add some thick layers of clothes to that mix and it might make it bearable.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on February 03, 2010, 07:35 AM:
Well, we've got some ideas for a starting point.
Again,
Much Thanx!!!!
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 03, 2010, 10:12 AM:
Custom shotguns are designed with castoff, the intent is to get the shooting eye lined up naturally, when mounting the gun. You could take this a step further and modify a stock past the pistol grip by cutting and offsetting a portion of the buttstock so that the recoil pad rides more on the bicep than the shoulder. Might take a couple fittings to get it right? It may sound like it would be weak, but it could easily be epoxied with dowels and be strong and durable enough for almost any field application.
We don't know what you mean by heavy recoil, but to me it starts at 375H&H, so the bicep will probably have a nice purple bruise, if a shot is taken, but it is a lot more tolerated than tearing your whole ribcage apart.
I give your friend credit for not giving up.
Good luck
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on February 03, 2010, 10:49 AM:
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/pitchmen-high-impact-hit.html
Heres a link to something that may help in conjunction wth stock mods,
Good luck and best wishes for a successful solution.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on February 03, 2010, 07:33 PM:
My hunting partner asks,
"If you would, in the next post you make, please advise the guys I am very appreciative of the thought they have put into passing on their ideas and that we are analyzing the various options."
It's gonna be an interesting summer testing some stuff out with (for) him!!!!!
Again, Much Thanx!!!!! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by Ridge Runner (Member # 3477) on February 05, 2010, 03:54 PM:
I have a rifle that I use for long range hunting, the rifle weighs 14 pounds, with a QD Holland brake and a pachmeyer decellerator pad, the rifle has no recoil, I have saw the bullet impact every deer I've ever shot with it through the 20X scope.
Now this rifle is chambered in a beheamoth 7mm round, the normal hunting load propells a 160 gr bullet downrange at 3575 fps.
I also have an 8.5# 7mm stw recoil on it is less than a rem. model 7 6mm, it also has a brake, and a pachmeyer dellerator pad, its a kdf brake though and with the small round holes in it it emits that sharp ear piercing bark that is almost untolerable without ear protection. I also put packmeyer pads on all my turkey guns, cuts the recoil by a bunch. just a thought
RR
UBB.classicTM
6.3.0