OJW Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 (edited) In March I had an accident and herniated a disc in my back, I had to have spinal surgery to remove it. It's still aching most of the time and especially when I shoot and I'm wondering if my gun is aggravating it as it couldn't really be much bigger. It's 12g 32" Caesar Guerini Maxum (equally, I'm not sure if it's a good thing it's big9 as it soaks up more recoil) If I went down to a 20 bore, would I need to drastically improve my shooting to hit what I am able to hit now with a 12gauge? If I stuck with 12g but just got a lighter gun, would it make any difference as the recoil would be increased? Anyone with a bad back had the same problem and had to change? Thanks, Edited October 25, 2015 by OJW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B25Modelman Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Snap...how coincidental. I suffer with back problems from years of working in an engineering workshop lifting jobs and machine parts greater than the now 25kg maximum. I have this last week been unable to test my new Maxus. Hopefully next Thursday/Friday I will be out. I am hoping the Maxus's tech recoil pad will reduce the kick back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Sounds like you may benefit from an automatic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJW Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Sounds like you may benefit from an automatic. Thanks, I'm after an over and under I can use on game days and also clays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B25Modelman Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Then look at the kick-EEZ pads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 If bad back is weight/lifting related a 5lb 20b and 30g will give you 40 yards. If recoil related, light loads through a lighter gun or a kick off system would help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJW Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 If bad back is weight/lifting related a 5lb 20b and 30g will give you 40 yards. If recoil related, light loads through a lighter gun or a kick off system would help. Do you mean that load through that gun will have an effective kill range of 40yards? That doesn't seem very far. I think it's a mixture of all of the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 I had a trapped sciatic nerve a few years back, and traded both of my 12g guns for exactly the same models in 20g. The main benefit is that the guns are lighter, although the recoil not necessarily so - it all depends on the cartridges used. All I can say is that there is a significant benefit when carrying a gun for some hours. I have not noticed any in reduction in my shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Shoot subsonics. Trainer rounds. Softer than 21g loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedsanity Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 I have 3 crumbled discs and two slipped discs which is apparently so bad they can't operate, I went from using a 12g to a 20g and my shot count Improved instantly , previously I was using a silver pigeon with 28's now I use a medalist with 21's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwade545 Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 from the point of view of the strains going through your back, you would be putting an increased stress on your back by having a heavy weight away from your body then a lighter one. Your back has to tense up to support it. By moving to a lighter gun, either light weight 12 gauge on 20 guage, should help this. The recoil may increase slightly but cartridge choice should help with this. I usually shoot 12g, but had a beretta silver pigeon 20g with 28" fixed choke barrels, gun weight was 6lb exactly, shooting lyvale 28gram number 6s i was dropping birds as well as with the 12g. only sold it as bought a house. Fantastic guns and would reccomend. But try a few different cartridges in them, was convinced it was a major step back in my shooting till i found the right cartridges, by the end my scores were as good on the clays with it as the 12g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJW Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Some really good info there. It's particularly useful to hear from guys with similar back conditions. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 I lost a vertebrae to MRSA over ten years ago. I use a 32" trap gun - 28 grm loads - and don't really feel the recoil. I have shot with lighter guns and I do feel the difference. That said - I tried some 24grm loads and a few 21s. The latter seemed almost recoil free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 The permission I shoot for has had a vertebrae completely removed. He now shoots comfortably with a beretta A400 with kick-off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 I have seen the use of autos on driven shoots by suffering individuals and nowt was said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 My back gives me constant pain - just waiting for a date to have the nerves cauterised again. I mainly shoot a 12g SxS, but I'm in the throes of changing my O/U to a 20g. Weight is the main reason for changing, not felt recoil. The O/U is just too heavy to walk around the shoot all day with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJW Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 (edited) Thanks for the feedback. Sorry to hear about PW's bad backs! Hope no one is in too much discomfort. I've had a look and the 20g Caesar Guerini Maxum isn't much lighter than the 12g. 12g = 8lbs and the 20g = 7lbs 8oz. Do you think this would really make much difference? Source - http://gueriniusa.com/shotguns/maxum-sporting/ Edited October 25, 2015 by OJW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gee. Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 I've had lower back problems for the last 18yrs (got 4 of my 5 lower lumber herniated, nerve damage and extreme sciatica) and I shoot a 10lb Krieghoff K80 with no problems. Some days I struggle to walk and have limited movement but have never had problems using any gun or load and shoot on average 3000 registered targets a year, plus practise and rough shooting. Would say in no way is my shooting affected by my condition or my condition aggravated by my shooting. Saying that tho, if you think its felt recoil related then try changing to a soft 24g load (Express HV24g are extremely low recoil thru a heavy gun). Personally, I would change the gun as a last resort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Thanks for the feedback. Sorry to hear about PW's bad backs! Hope no one is in too much discomfort. I've had a look and the 20g Caesar Guerini Maxum isn't much lighter than the 12g. 12g = 8lbs and the 20g = 7lbs 8oz. Do you think this would really make much difference? Source - http://gueriniusa.com/shotguns/maxum-sporting/ That's the CG, but a lot of other 20g are closer to 6lb, which makes it worth the change for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 OJW I believe that you use fairly heavy cartridges. Why not give lighter cartridges a try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJW Posted October 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 I've had lower back problems for the last 18yrs (got 4 of my 5 lower lumber herniated, nerve damage and extreme sciatica) and I shoot a 10lb Krieghoff K80 with no problems. Some days I struggle to walk and have limited movement but have never had problems using any gun or load and shoot on average 3000 registered targets a year, plus practise and rough shooting. Would say in no way is my shooting affected by my condition or my condition aggravated by my shooting. Saying that tho, if you think its felt recoil related then try changing to a soft 24g load (Express HV24g are extremely low recoil thru a heavy gun). Personally, I would change the gun as a last resort. Very interesting that it hasn't effected your back at all. Maybe you shoot so much that your core muscles / balance has got used to it or something? Changing the gun would be a last resort as I love my gun. OJW I believe that you use fairly heavy cartridges. Why not give lighter cartridges a try? Morning JDog, Yes, I am giving some a go for the first time on a few of the days this season and did consider this. However on Saturday, I only fired 5 shots all day and was using lighter cartridges (32g6) and it was still bad. Same after shooting clays with a light load. I think it must be more weight related but will try some lighter loads as well next time I'm out. A friend has said he will lend me his 20g to take out on Thursday so I will hopefully find out if I am capable of hitting anything with it then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 If your calling 32g light erm try a really light cartridge. If your near me your welcome to come and try one of my lighter guns to see if it makes a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blasterjudd Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Buy a wee 28 gauge they are nice and light plus if you use light loads job done. I have a 28 it hits birds as good as a 12g ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Thirty two grams is not light. I may be at the opposite end of the cartridge spectrum to most people but for virtually all of my game shooting I use Hull Imperial Game in twenty six grams. Last week I was out game shooting and on being introduced one chap told me not to expect too much from him as he has cricked his neck and he was in some discomfort. Not wanting to miss the day he had bought some twenty one gram cartridges for his twelve bore. He killed dead some of the best birds on the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJW Posted October 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 (edited) I take your point. They could be a lot lighter! I use anything from 21g-28g on clays but had never thought of using something as light as you mention on game. I will have to buy some and investigate. Just out of interest, what was it that made you decide to shoot lighter loads? Thanks for the feedback. Edited October 26, 2015 by OJW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.