This is something I've done for so long I frankly have forgotten how much a difference it makes. And it seems it applies to any heavy recoiling weapon.

Those gunstock side ammo carriers are not only handy. They can easily add quite a bit of weight to a gun and reduce felt recoil significantly. I first discovered this in the duck blinds and quickly learned to leave as many shells in the loops as possible throughout the day. My shoulder could definitely tell the difference after a box of 3 1/2" goose loads. I then found this is especially true with large 12ga turkey loads where just five rounds in the ammo loops on the stock add almost 1 lb to the shotgun (nothing to sneeze at). Turkey hunting is typically a one shot per day deal so you don't need a bunch of ammo. My ammo loops stay full anyhow just because the gun shoots better with the extra weight.

I applied the same logic to my rifles, because I reasoned this must also true be for rifles that shoot heavy bullets with big cartridges. 8-10 big cartridges adds up to a significant amount of weight on the gun. Experience has taught me, this quite simply works.

You may feel you don't need to carry that much ammo or even think a side stock ammo carrier is all that handy. But it sure is an easy and potentially useful way to add weight to a gun and reduce felt recoil that requires practically no skill to install.

Good advice.

I do the same with my 460 Weatherby on DG safaris. One caveat: I needed to punch the butt stock sling swivel stud through the ammo carrier elastic cloth, or the whole loaded contraption would slide forward during recoil (and lose some effectiveness).

The extra mass in the back does alter the weighting of the swing to the shoulder a bit. But, it unquestionably lowers felt recoil, especially with the "sharp" kickers.

It doesn't look pretty, but what the hell. Most people on this board say the same thing about my choice of heavy rifle.

Thanks.

Ditto, on both posters.

Keith

Wow!

Am I glad I've always had one on my 12ga SxS Turkey setup.

I didn't know it helped.

I guess without the full ammo carrier it would have really kicked the shit out of me instead of just kicking the snot out of me.

I EVEN USE ONE ON MY 30-06 AND IT EVEN MAKES A BIGGER DIFFERENCE ON THAT GUN.

Two of the main benificial characteristics of a PROPERLY BUILT

double rifle or other type rifle or shotgun is it's BALANCE

and the fluid way it moves while in the hunters grasp.

Strap a 20 - 30 pound bag of sand to the rear end of a 200 pound

man and ask him about how it has affected his balance,
and about how it has affected his agility.

Is this not the same general concept as the mercury tubes, with the tubes hopefully "tuned" to your rifle?

I have a 300 RUM that only has 50 lbs of recoil but it kicks the hell outta me at the range (glad I found the Lead Sled). It's a Remington 700 Sendero: heavy stainless barrel, syn stock, and yes, it's front heavy. This sounds like a possible solution to my problem Big Guy, but I would like to hear from anyone who has tried the Mercury tubes with success. I have 3 weeks to get ready for Zimbabwe.

I got mercury tubes put in my 7mm and it really tamed it down. My shoulder doesn't get sore at all anymore.

the chef

L.David Keith,I got a Sendero in 300WM that I got to look out for.I have 5 300WM in various models and none kick as hard.

quote:

Originally posted by L. David Keith:
I have a 300 RUM that only has 50 lbs of recoil but it kicks the hell outta me at the range (glad I found the Lead Sled). It's a Remington 700 Sendero: heavy stainless barrel, syn stock, and yes, it's front heavy. This sounds like a possible solution to my problem Big Guy, but I would like to hear from anyone who has tried the Mercury tubes with success. I have 3 weeks to get ready for Zimbabwe.

I like mercury tubes and they help. They really shine when you need to add extra weight where you have very little space. On a synthetic stocked rifle under the recoil pad you got PLENTY of space. I'd just take off the pad and pack a tied off sock filled with lead shot in the cavity. Re-install the pad and go.

You can mess with the amount of shot to get the balance right. Just make sure it's packed in there so it can't slide around inside the stock.