Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Detached Retina, recoil and rifles

Hey again

Just had a detached retina repaired and heard from the ophthalmologist that he discourages shooting because of the recoil. I love to shoot and am hopeful that we have some others on this forum that have had a detached retina and have some advice for what may work. Thinking of smaller bores with a can. I live in Idaho and love to hunt deer and elk and have learned to appreciate my 280ai and 30cal but vision is important to me too

What are your thoughts?

I'd heed the doc til your retina is good.

Having just went through the surgery this past Monday I have no interest in going back for another!

Do cans reduce recoil much? I have not used one before

I do not know about "cans" but I do know that Magna-Porting a heavy recoiling rifle reduces recoil ... or it did on my Ruger 77, .338 Win. Mag.

Good luck.

L.W.

Sounds like a good reason to purchase a 7-08

22-250 if allowed. 6 Creed if not.

Was it the 280 or the 30 that got ya? And what was it like when it happened?

Or a 6.5 Creedmoor. Either one with a can.

30' 06 w/48 grs. of H4895 and a 130 gr. TTSX at 2800 fps is a pussie cat. Bad shoulder research for me worked and what I use now at 70 yrs old after racing dirt bikes forever. Crashed a few times. lol.

Two questions come to mind while reading this.

1 - Why would you risk possible loss of eyesight for shooting a deer or elk?

2 - Why would you come to a gun forum to get eye advice? Loss of vision is serious and not often correctible.

Seriously though - if you are not happy with your opthamologist advice why not get a second opinion.

drover

I had a full rotator cuff tear requiring surgery. I got full recovery, sighted in my good bud’s .416 Rem but off a standing bench. And several years later.

I had a vitrectomy for retina hole. Had the vitreous removed, eye filled with a gas. Had to lie around for a couple of weeks.
Not a detachment, but bad enough. I still shoot big stuff.

But, I’d listen to your doc. If your retina is trying to detach even more, recoil is not your friend. If ya gonna shoot anyway, I’d consider a Creed or .22-250 as Paul previously posted.

As Stick loves to say, It’s the boolit not the head stamp. Of course, gotta put it in the right spot.

DF

My Tanger .338 is so equipped, with a Decelerator pad in addition. It does not reduce actual ft# recoil by much, it does reduce FELT recoil by reducing muzzle jump considerably, and seemingly slows the shoulder punch just a touch.

Not the way to go with a detached retina without the Dr's go- ahead.

..22 CF will kill deer just fine.

Since last March ,I've had 3 operations to repair a detached retina . On the second operation ( the first ,unsuccessful ,i feel the insurance would not pay for the operation I recieved on the second go round but that's another story) ,they removed my lense as it was too cloudy for the surgeon to see . The third ,the lense install & another " vitrectomy" too.

Next friday I have another follow up and am hoping they will start talking about glasses . I have too much time invested in healing ,I do not dare go to the range .
I'm hoping someday very soon I can take up shooting again.

I would not shoot unless the Doc gives clearance ,to detach it worse ,lemme tell you its a bad deal

Thanks for all the comments. I know I can’t be the only hunter that has had this happen. The thought of hanging up the hunt forever seems really rough and that is why I was asking if others had the same scenario.

I may go look at some creeds that are threaded.

By all means - heed the doc's advice even though every case is different. I have experienced two retinal detachments.............one in each eye (2010 and 2016). I was literally "blind but now I see" - thanks to some great medical care and the grace of God. Each time I spent >6 weeks staring at the floor and sleeping on my face followed by many subsequent weeks with dissolving gas bubbles.

Opthmalogist told me each time to not shoot anything for 6 months. He also suggested I avoid contact sports (those days were many decades ago) and avoid any heavy recoil if I did start shooting. I was terrified of another detachment when I started shooting again.

To make a short story long - the .22 LR, .243 Win, 7-08, 28-g and 20g shotguns with reduced recoil turkey loads have become my best friends. Even the lead sled is used to pattern anything. As much as it pained me to do so, I sold my .338 WM, .7mm RM, 12-turkey guns, 12-trap guns, etc. just to avoid the temptation. Just my $0.02 but maybe skip the muzzle brakes. Next thing your know, you or your shooting friends may suffer hearing loss.

Prayers for a full recovery and be well.

A threaded 6.5 creedmoor with a brake and a good recoil pad is a good combo. I set one up for my 9 year old granddaughter. Plenty of punch with 130gr bullets. And recoil with a muzzle brakes and more brake is a pleasure to shoot.

6.5 Creedmoor with a can!

^Good point^ I guess I should have mentioned that also. I have a can for mine too, (Dead Air Nomad).

The lease that we hunt on does not allow suppressors. The felt recoil is a little less with the muzzle brake than the can.

You could still shoot handguns correct?

Yes i can still shoot handguns and have given that some thought

Handguns, archery gear, crossbow?

You can still hunt, and take care of your eyes.

Guy

I feel for you. I detached mine shooting big bores. Had to go to handguns for 6 months. So listen to the Dr.
As we age, some of us are revisited by bad choices. After 6 more fusions, the neurosurgeon says act your real age, not like the 12 year old you think you are. No more kayaks, four wheelers, zip lines, skiing, bouncing boats, blah, blah, blah. I didn't listen the last time. I'm listening this time, second and third repairs can be a lot more painful, take longer to heal and may not resolve things. Shooting is less important than seeing.
Bfly

Purchase the can and apply for the stamp ASAP because at the rate the waits are going right now, it's gonna be a year before you get stamp approval.

So many good comments and suggestions. I appreciate the information. Taking it easy and picking archery back up and ordering that can

Steve,
I had a detached retina in 1997 (i think it was 97). It was the most painful surgery i have ever had...however it healed properly and i shoot whatever i want with and without breaks. The detachment was the result of a botched cataract surgery, not from recoil or anything else. I waited about 3 months before i returned to my normal routine and shot whatever i wanted and still do. When i say i shoot whatever i want that includes up to and including 375H&H with no break. And just for reference I am 71.
Unless your doctor specifically tells you dont shoot heavy recoil rifles, then give the healing process time to work and start shooting again if you want, but it has to be your decision. Start with lighter recoil rifles and work up if thats what you want.
Bill

Had a Browning BAR 338wm one time with the factory black plastic stock and boss system.
It was one of the easiest guns to shoot it felt like a 243.
I would bet one chambered in 25-06 would be super easy if that would be enough gun.
I'am a big fan of magna porting also and if you have never tried a magna ported gun your in for a treat.
I agree heal up good don't be in a hurry right now. Stick with .220 swift/.223/ .22 Hornet etc. For awhile if you must shoot.
I would think a good ar-15 in .223 should be really mild bigtime.
Good luck and be careful