Back when I started shooting/hunting, a lot of rifles had Phenolic(hard composite) or a Metal Butt Plate. Then they moved toward Hard Rubber Recoil Pads. Eventually some folks shortened their stocks and put Shotgun style(compressable) Recoil Pads on the rifles they shot a lot that had noticable Recoil.

Many rifles today still come with a Firm Rubber Recoil Pad and some come with the latest High Tech Recoil Absorbing(slow collapsing) style.

Has anyone besides me noticed the newer(softer) Recoil Pads are slightly less accurate? Not a lot, just a little less accurate.

I believe it is because the Butt tends to move a bit differently under Recoil and/or the rifle position is just not as solid as it is with a Firmer Pad. However, it could simply be I'm getting old enough that my Shooting Form is not near as good as it used to be.

Whadaya think?

quote:

Has anyone besides me noticed the newer(softer) Recoil Pads are slightly less accurate
Whadaya think?

The only thing I've noticed is the rifle weighs a tad more.

To assign an accuracy benefit (plus or minus) would be an exceedingly difficult task!

I haven't noticed my rifles being inaccurate because of the recoil pad is softer. All my rifles are right to point of aim.

quote:

Has anyone besides me noticed the newer(softer) Recoil Pads are slightly less accurate

maybe it's the shooter......maybe you should change your name to "soft core".......naah....it just don't fit!

Maybe (Ancient) Old Core

if anything, it maybe has to with the fact that the softer pad sits on your shoulder a bit differently and a bit differently every time you shoulder the gun. because it's soft and cushy, you don't notice that it's not in exactly the same position each time.
somewhat to the same point, in archery, good target bows don't have any sort of "padding" on the grip. most have nothing at all. the hard surface sits in your hand more consistantly and you feel it better when it's not in the exact same position.

Hey Merlinron, That sounds like you nailed it. It apparently isn't out of position very much, just a tiny bit. I can see where the lower durometer material would cause that.

I could see a rifle possibly having a different POI because it might move differently (more?) during recoil with a softer pad. Like a handgun shoots higher with a heavier bullet. One thing's for sure, with the newer pads it's more comfortable to shoot so you shoot more. I'll take that trade-off any day

I haven't noticed any accuracy differences with the Limbsaver or super soft pads but I have noticed that they don't hold up very well. Simply put they crumble.
I'll stay with Pacmayr Decellarators. They reduce recoil a good bit. I've seen them work just fine on extremely accurate rifles that stay extremely accurate and they don't crumble and start looking nasty after a couple months.................................DJ

You all should try the Hi-Viz X-Coil pad.



I have installed them on all my rifles, especially the heavy recoiling ones like the .300 Win.

There is a noticable difference in recoil reduction with the 12 ga. and the heavy recoiling rifles. The pad has a gel center like thick silicone caulk that never hardens. Kinda like the Kickeez sorbethane pad but even softer and gooier.

I've used them for years in competition and have never had a problem with crumbling or deterioration. They are sticky though. A light spray of polyurathane(sp?) matte finish (available at any hardware store) makes them slick and will facilitate mounting the gun (very important in the shotgun sports).

I think you are right.

Hey Buliwyf, I'd appreciate it if you would check your PMs.

Oh boy, I can't wait.........