I’ve read that one does not deign to shoulder “The Mighty 4 Bore” save in the most dire of circumstances, but will side with wisdom in every tenable situation, and hold the buttstock in the pit of the arm, bracing it firmly against any available, solid object; such as a tree or rock outcropping.
Those who have found themselves in need of shouldering an “Elephant Gun” have, as often as not, been knocked unconscious at the recoil. The fortunate among them have awakened to find their target lying dead before them; those less fortunate have been found dead with their target lying dead ON TOP of them.
I once shot an elephant in my pyjamas.