Not relevant to this topic, but a .22 bolt action is very good practice for hunters to use to get rid of the stupid practice of working the bolt from the hip. The bolt should be worked from the shoulder. Shooting 50 rounds off at a session rapid fire from the shoulder with a .22 and you quickly learn to reload from the shoulder.

***

I understand both arguments on this thread. Only just read them so am adding to my posts here!

The two arguments are: learn how to shoot in general; and learn to shoot your particular rifle.

Before you can learn to shoot a double rifle well, you need to be able to shoot well. A .22 or other rifle is great practice and no one learns with a .500 NE.

The other argument is you need to master and become familiar with the recoil of the actual rifle you will shoot, its triggers, its feel and balance, its sighting arrangements etc.

Both arguments are quite true.

***

Relevant to this topic, is not to develop a flinch. If you believe as some people write that shooting 20 rounds from your .470 at targets is easy, and give it a try, stop when it hurts. Then go to a different lower recoiling rifle. Shoot that a bit. Then shoot a few more shots from your DR .470 or whatever it is. Personally I find my tolerance level is about 8 to 12 shots from a .450 on targets in a session. Maybe more if I have a break and do another session.

On live animals I probably have shot six or eight rounds very quickly, and while I felt no pain, your shoulder has a "ringing/numb" feeling to it.

Some people recommend shooting lots of rounds from heavy recoiling rifles, but don't develop a flinch.