From: Bart Bobbitt <bartb@hpfcmgw.fc.hp.com>
Subject: Scopes Hitting Eye/Forhead

I thing the biggest problem regarding rifle scopes hitting folks during
recoil is that the scope was mounted improperly in the first place.
A `competetent' gunsmith will mount the scope only when the rifle's
owner is present.  This way, the 'smith can put the scope as far forward
as it's eye relief permits as the rifle is shouldered by the shooter in
a sitting position.  When a scope is so mounted and the shooter shoulders
the rifle in the standing position, most of the field of view is seen.
But more importantly, when sitting, or prone for that matter, the scope
is far enough forward and won't hit the shooter during recoil.

When scopes are mounted in this position, shooting from a bench typically
causes an even less field of view in the eyepiece.  But that's OK as from
a bench, the center of the field of view is typically the only important
part anyway.  If a scope is mounted for full field view as shot from a
bench and it's on a heavy kicker, chances of the `Weatherby Ring' will
definitely increase.  A `Weatherby Ring' is a term African white hunters
gave the round scar, or wound, caused by heavy recoiling rifles whose
shooter had the scope mounted too far back.  Some shops even to this
day sell patches with a reticule with a red drip at its bottom.  These
patches would be presented to shooters who suffered from eyepiecesus
impactus.

I've probably seen a hundred or more folks over the years at any-rifle
any-sight long range matches who sighted in their new magnum from a bench
with the scope positioned for full field view.  While their first shot's
report was still echoing around the range, it was somewhat quieter than
the verbal exclamations of pain from the shooter.