Put my thumb in my eye!

Put my SA M1903, #1,383,941, 8-44 bbl Ogden rebuild to work on groundhogs this past Saturday. Shooting off home-made shooting sticks while seated I can consistantly keep beer coaster-size groups at 100 yards. Bad eyes and repro Marine sights front and rear ease the shooting, but enlarge the groups I think. Shooting handloads with 125 gr polimer-tipped bullets out of LC brass I thought I could keep it up all day, but the agreeable comfort level was surpassed pretty quickly. At one point I was hunkered down so far on the rifle that the recoil caused me to poke myself in the eye. First time this has happened! Now, recalling that scene on the rifle range from Sgt. York, the instructor is RIGHT! Keep that thumb to the side. Despite switching to a lighter .22-250 for the rest of the outing, it is still the most enjoyable rifle in my safe. Yes, I still merely have one Rick!

As "Pusher" stated, if you need the thumb up for "balance", how do you keep from falling over??? --Jim

"Hunkering down" on the rifle is exactly what you do not want to do.

I regularly shoot some quite heavy recoiling rifles, up to .375 H&H, and have found that the more upright you sit, the better. Less chance of the finger in the eye, or the scope cut in the forehead that way, and the recoil does not seem so formidable.

Yep, Sgt York should be required watching before operating an 03. Hope your eye gets well soon, and welcome to the 03 eye club. Now you just need to get a Garand thumb to be well rounded. :D

Been looking at the CMP Special M1 offer. Pricey, not original stock, new barrel...not for the "collector." But as a shooter it seems a reasonable deal. Could sell my Persian Mauser to finance the deal. Unfortunate 6-month wait, but still considering it. Then I could start visiting the M1 forum.

"Then I could start visiting the M1 forum."

Heck, Liam, we'd welcome you anytime! :cheers:

Poor ol' Pusher.

Don't feel bad, my Great Grandfather broke his nose several times firing prone with 03s and Krags.

Get well soon.

-Jeff L