Marcus Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Hi All Been out a few times now to shoot some clays. Enjoyed every outing. However, after the odd session, I notice my cheek has taken a thumping. Was out on Weds and its actually left a mark on my cheek which is quite sore. I guess its down to my gun mount, and possibly im doing the damage on higher (driven type) clays. I dont think my gun mount is glaringly wrong, otherwise the guys there would have picked it up. Would the more experienced folk on here have any pointers for me as i'm doing something wrong (possibly on these driven clays). I have had a gun fitting prior to buying, so I take the gun is right for me. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condor Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 (edited) I had exactly the same thing happen to me Marcus - plus bruising which stayed for nearly 2 weeks after the thumping!!. I'm only a Novice myself but I understand it happens as a result of a combination of poor gun fit and faults in mounting technique. I lost a lot of confidence when it started happening to me and went for a customised gun fitting session which showed that my Browning Medallist that I was using at the time, seriously did not fit me correctly. I didn't spend any more on it, but went for a brand new, correctly fitted Ultra with Adj comb, but even then, I found I was anticipating the "thump" on my cheek, even though it wasn't happening, so added a Cheekeeze pad to the stock which had already been cast-on correctly for me as a L/H shooter and a Kickeeze pad added. :( The problem only very recently corrected itself completely when I shot a semi-auto for the first time, which has boosted my confidence no end due to the minimal recoil. Do yourself a favour and have another professional opinion of your gun fit maybe via a qualified coach, who will be able to advise as they will watch your mount and shooting style together with gun fit. Or a specialist gun fitter. You can add foam shims etc to your stock using an inexpensive system with a stock sleeve to test any corrections before you decide to spend a lot of money and have them professionally done. Whatever you do, get it sorted or it messes up your shooting and enjoyment of it. Just as an aside, I see you are also using a Medallist - although they are good value starter guns, the stock drop doesn't suit or fit everyone. And just because you were "fitted" before buying, it doesn't mean that is definitive - I'd get a 2nd opinion from a different pro or fitter. Medallists are not worth spending 100's of pounds on adding adjustable combs, but you could certainly do a temp fitting via a pro using the foam shim / sleeve system to test. Have a look in one of the magazines for respected gun fitters / pro coaches etc near your home / within reasonable travel. Edited July 17, 2009 by Condor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted July 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Thanks Condor. I will get a second opinion on the gun fit. The guy who gave the advice is a 'top shot' so I suspect its a good fit, but so many things these days are personal opinion a second one wont do any harm. I am hoping its my technique, as some weekends I dont suffer, and I am sure its on the higher clays it thumps me. I will ask this weekend for someone to watch closely to see if they can offer advice. Funny thing is I have never felt soreness in my shoulder, feels like the shoulder could take it all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain pot shot Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 I've had the same with an old hammergun when the stock cracked through the wrist. It wasn't obvious to the eye but on firing the stock flexed and punched up under the cheekbone. Worth checking that everything is secure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle eyes Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Hi Marcus, My son sometimes suffers from a bruised cheek while shooting clays. In his case the problem is because he slightly lifts his head off of the stock to pick up a hard to locate clay. I'm glad to say that he has worked his way through it now and no longer looks like i've been smacking in the chops when we've been shooting. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzrat Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Seems to me you are lifting your head. one of my many problems. You will find it occurs more on the high driven stuff because you have to blot them out and you naturally want to keep your eye on the bird. weld your cheek to the stock swing through and let the gun-speed do the rest :( Fuzrat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Seems to me you are lifting your head. one of my many problems. You will find it occurs more on the high driven stuff because you have to blot them out and you naturally want to keep your eye on the bird. weld your cheek to the stock swing through and let the gun-speed do the rest Fuzrat it could also be that the comb is too low.....i had this problem years ago with a baikal .....i added an aftermarket comb raiser and all was well.... shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 i think different guns recoil in different ways.i had a 3800 miroku for dtl. the gun fitted me perfect in the shop and it hammered me every time i used it. the more it hit me the more i hugged it so i was n`t mounting wrong.it left me with a bruised cheek every week.if it was n`t for that i would still own it as it was built to last forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chard Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Before you do anything drastic, I would recommend that you persevere with the battering for a few weeks. If you're quite new to shooting, your mount might be very slightly adrift and you will find that you subconsciously make slight adjustments to the positioning of your face on the stock. When I started shooting I got quite severe bruising on the cheek (and shoulder) but after a while it stopped hurting and of course the bruising stopped. I had done nothing to alter the gun, I can only assume I made minor adjustments to the mount, both at the shoulder and how I put my face on the stock. I feel nothing now on the shoulder or the face and have never had any of my guns altered. Of course if it doesn't get any better, that would probably indicate a bad gun fit that would need putting right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.C. Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 Are you sure you are only bruising your cheek on high birds ? Some people tend to move their arms and gun without moving their head and torso when they shoot crossers. If you do this you will get hit on the cheek or the lip . It is more pronounced if you premount the gun . Look for any evidence that your cheek is not firmly on the stock when you finish the shot . Plan B , get an experienced shot to watch you shoot . It is easy for them to see if you lift your head or move the gun across your face . As mentioned before , a comb raiser ( like a "Cheek Eez) will often help and will give you some protection while you get sorted out . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzrat Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 Could always try the £20 note trick. put a crisp 20 between cheek and stock before taking the shot and if it falls out you are lifting your head did it with my missus and said I was keeping it if it fell out, kept her bloody head down after that! tight wad Note, only works when shooting premounted. tends to blow away if gun down Fuzrat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted July 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 Thanks guys. I will see how it goes on Sunday and ask some of the guys to have a look. I am sure its on the higher clays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlaserF3 Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 Hi, What sort of cartridges are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted July 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 So far I have used Ely First 21g Ely Blues 28g Some other make with a recoil reduction feature in 28g I see some of the guys use Fiochi or something, not tried those yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlaserF3 Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 (edited) Are you suffering with the 21gm as well as the 28gm? If My memory serves me correctly the Medalist is quite a light gun with a plastic heel plate and it could be slipping due to recoil. I find 28gm Blues quite thumpy. Edited July 21, 2009 by BlaserF3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 it could also be that the comb is too low.....i had this problem years ago with a baikal .....i added an aftermarket comb raiser and all was well.... shaun Same with me on my old greener Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 I used to have this problem, I switched from Super Comp 28g to Hull Comp X 21g and the problem vanished. I tried several gunsmiths regarding gunfit, they all gave a different answer, most involving the removal of £200 from my wallet, in the end I found a position that was comfortable by sliding my left hand further along the fore end and keeping my cheek nailed to the stock, the cartridges certainly helped though, as others have said I think there was some head lifting involved with me, which I have now fixed. Just need to stop trying gauge the lead now and be a bit more instinctual! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted July 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 Blaser I have mostly used the Ely 21g, so have suffered on them. I used the Ely Blues 28g last Sunday, and whilst my cheek was still a little sore to touch, it did not get any worse after Sunday, though there were no 'driven' type clays, which brings me to suspect its the higher clays Im having an issue with. Your right, the Medalist has a hard heel plate, will have to have a look at whats happening on the 2nd shot - cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condor Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 Hull Comp 21g seem to do the business just as well as the heavier loads and certainly help with the recoil. I also found the hard plastic heelplate on the Medallist too uncomfortable and spent the extra £40 I think it was, on having a Kickeeze fitted, so the gun didn't slide about as much. Trouble is, the comb was rather low, as pointed out by someone else, and rather than spend more money on an entry level gun, I spent it on an upgrade instead which has cured my cheek bruising. Correct gun fit I think is imperative; although some errors in technique can also cause injuries - at least if the gun fit is absolutely correct, then there is one less variable to exclude re the bruising!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlaserF3 Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 It's not just the heel plate, the gun itself is quite light itself. I had one years ago and I put some lead in the butt to balance it better as well, mine was nose heavy and it used to belt me too. A bit more weight will reduce recoil slightly but a soft cartridge will make it a nice gun too shoot I would recommend Hull 21gm as they are even softer than Eley 21gm. Condor's post was sensible as well regarding an entry level gun and spending money. I will send you a pm with more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted July 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Thanks for the info Blaser. Went out Wednesday evening, used Eley Blues 28g and my cheek is much better. There were far more higher shots than the Sunday shoot so I was expecting as good thumping. Hopefully I am on the right road now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 I had exactly the same problems with my first shotgun (Laurona), and it turned out to be a combination of too short a stock, and too low a comb. It all got better when I got the Silver Pigeon and added an inch on the stock and a half inch comb raiser. Interesting that you would get pounded when using 21g loads though... They've never really struck me as being a nasty cartridge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted July 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 I dont think it was so much the cartridge for me, more my gun mount being new to the sport etc. I think last Weds proved that using 28g on higher clays, I was fine. Where as in the past I have been thumped hard in the chops with the 21g. My shoulder never had a problem, so I was convinced it was my mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marley29 Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Before you do anything drastic, I would recommend that you persevere with the battering for a few weeks. If you're quite new to shooting, your mount might be very slightly adrift and you will find that you subconsciously make slight adjustments to the positioning of your face on the stock. When I started shooting I got quite severe bruising on the cheek (and shoulder) but after a while it stopped hurting and of course the bruising stopped. I had done nothing to alter the gun, I can only assume I made minor adjustments to the mount, both at the shoulder and how I put my face on the stock. I feel nothing now on the shoulder or the face and have never had any of my guns altered. Of course if it doesn't get any better, that would probably indicate a bad gun fit that would need putting right. Samr thing happened to me when I first started shooting. After 2-3 outings it just stopped. It must have been my gun mount. I feel that you becoume more confident in yourself and get your cheek nice and tight on the stock. When I first started shooting I was a bit nervous and as a result I took a pounding!!! Give it a few more goes before trying anything else. If it doesn't improve then get the gun fit checked again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarpa Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 As already said... make sure that as you follow though with the swing after taking the shot you keep your cheek tight to the stock. If you lift your head immediately after pulling the trigger you will start to anticipate doing this and sometimes lift too soon. I've done that at times and got the old cheek bruise after a days shooting. 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.