[Thor]

Me too Hanna, the first time I fired my 340 wby, I fired it 34 times in one sitting from the bench. No special recoil pad, shock absorber or brake. This gun generates almost 5000 ft-#s of energy, a 210 gr bullet at over 3200 fps really is something to see bring down a big OYRX or Elk with authority! The next day I had muscles along the back of my spine that hurt from the torsion of the upper body. Of course the impact area of the upper arm was cherry red (next day purple brown). But in the field and only firing one round it is not bad at all. I must agree with GT, my bud has a 45-70 Marlin lever action saddle gun that he loads like a grizzly rife with 400 gr bullets. I have fired it several times and that sucker aint fun to shoot at all. My buddy had a Thompson Contender that blooded his hand and he asked me if I wanted to shoot it! "Hell no, I dont flinch and I dont want a flinch." Next round he fired broke the grips! A day of firing 3 boxes of shells during a dove hunt (okay so I miss a lot with a shotgun) can do wonders for your arms too. I love all guns!! Thor