Send me an email and we'll catch up at the range and you can try mine.
I have used one for the last few years when shooting anything above 450 Nitro, especially the 500 Nitro's, 500 Jeffrey or 505 Gibbs.
It just takes the sting out of the recoil and to a certian extent dissapates the recoil over a wider area.
The one I have is on a harness that you can take on and off easily. (and I think all have this sytem). I think 3 or 4 models are available but found mine the most confortable as it is shaped to the shoulder.
I use the past recoil shield for bench testing my rifles, since they are very light and I need to worry about shooting straight and not flinch when bench testing. They really work. I think you can find them at Midways site, or maybe past have their own. Its a harness with a strap going around you waist and a strap to fasten to you belt. It is comfortable and doesn�t slide much. For shooting of the bench ore volume training with heavy loads its quite usefull. Tron
I had one and did not like it. Then it was in my garage when the temp. was about 20 F., something got laid against it, and the cold rubber interior broke. I tossed it and I use a hand towel instead.
Posts: 18352 | Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA | Registered: 20 April 2002
I bought the Past Magnum model from Midway. In my opinion it does not work well enough for even a .375 H&H to be worthwhile to use in benchtesting. I think its OK up to .300 Mags but after that I'd want more recoil reduction for bench work.
I had a recoil jig made up from some old plans in Shooting Times magazine, basically an L shaped piece of metal screwed on to 50mm plywood. Weighs about 15 pounds & takes all the sting out. Great for load development as you take the recoil factor out completely. If you are shooting really big bore you can add more weight via extra bags of lead shot.
People told me the recoil of an H&H is a push rather than anything harsh. Bullshit. They all hit hard. In fact the H&H broke 2 out of 3 bolts holding the L shaped metail on my jig in my MK I version. Had to double the bolt diameter.
As you know recoil is not an issue for game shooting so IMHO a jig is the best way to go. In US there are several commerciall versions avail. eg Gunbrake, Lahti etc.
PC: I use the biggest one they make, under a heavy jacket, with CZ 550, offhand. Works nicely, and no pain. My rifle shoots straight, sometimes high, sometimes low, and that's all me. Suffice to say, for benching, I use a 10 pound bag of shot between me and the gun.
Benching, with a 375, is, to me, a not very fun task. Wonder what the 458 is going to be like...
DR S
Posts: 1805 | Location: American Athens, Greece | Registered: 24 November 2001
When did this become a girls only forum?? "10 pound shot bag", thats ridiculous! I use the past pad; think its called "magnum recoil shield " or something like that, and its all I need for my 8 pound .375, and even a 10 pound .458 I borrowed for range testing. And I�m not into pain or masochism. If thats not enough then its all in your head, learn how to deal with instead of building all kinds of "thingies" to reduce recoil.
I have a Past Magnum model I'll sell you. It was used for 4 or 5 rounds with my Win model 70 375H&H Safari Express. I was braced for all this hard-hitting, set-you-back recoil I'd been hearing about but it just wasn't there. $25.00 plus shipping and it's yours.
Posts: 3931 | Location: Oregon | Registered: 27 September 2002
I'm new to shooting and have not shot anything bigger than an 8.5lb 300WinMag. My PAST turns a really sharp kick into a dull shove. I wear t-shirts at the range and couldn't shoot nearly as long without the PAST. I can deal with the shove pushing me back, but the sharp kick would quickly induce a flinch.
I also like to be able to play golf shortly after a session at the range. Without the PAST my shoulder would be bruised and sore for a few days.
That's it for my experience with the PAST. I recommend it 100%. If you step above the .300s there's probably not much you can do to really tame the recoil. Nature of the beast.
Posts: 557 | Location: Various... | Registered: 29 December 2002
"When did this become a girls only forum?? "10 pound shot bag", thats ridiculous!" - Posted by trb
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha I dang near laughed out loud when I read that. Personally, I like recoil and am fortunate to do 'recoil awareness' training quite often with my 2 .577cal & 4 .50cal boomers. Granted, I'll probably have the vision of Ray Charles and the memory of Ronald Regan 'when I get old', but it'll be a fun ride.
I can see using all the padding necessary during load development and range plinking to get the best results, but suck it up like a man in the field (then when you can barely hold the rifle because your shooting hand and recieving shoulder sting/tingle so bad and you're out of sight from others that will and should tease you for being a 'woman' about your lack of pain resistance and lack of big bore ability you can cry, cry, cry all you want but your mama ain't there wussie so it isn't gonna do your sorry ass no good).
I guess I must be a sissy, but I use a PAST Super Magnum Plus recoil shield all of the time from the bench. It really lets me concentrate on the sight picture and trigger pull more than bracing for recoil. I bought mine at Midsouth Shooting Supply for $25.99 (Order No. 094-330110), it is the biggest one they make.
I know a guy who posts here often that uses two of those pads for some of his big bores.
cwilson
Posts: 722 | Location: Boswell, PA, USA | Registered: 20 December 2001
A gentleman who shoots BPCR introduced me to the Rand Elite recoil shield which has a much greater pad surface area. It covers the collar bone for prone shooting, as well.
The thing is great. 75-100 round sessions at the bench with a .375 are no problem. Spending a day shooting jack rabbits with a Ruger #1 in .458 is also without discomfort.
The Rand shields are $10-$15 more than the Past pads, but they are worth every penny.
I purchased mine from the good folks at Buffalo Arms:
I use the Mag plus pad from PAST when shooting my 416 Rem Mag from the bench. Compared to not using it, it's a significant improvement. I can sit behind my 416 on the bench with for 30 to 40 rounds at a session without a problem. The cushioning effect is minimal, but the big advantage is that is spreads the recoil push over a much larger area of your shoulder than just the butt of the rifle stock.
This post came out at a good time( Is it great minds think alike ,or fools never differ). Yesterday I put about 70 rounds down the range with my .458 . I was trying some light 350gn cast loads(terrieble accuracy),some fullpower 350 jacketed loads(sharp kick) and full power 500gn loads(hard push). This morning, the shoulder is a little tender and I,m going to get somesort of recoil pad thingy very soon.
CR 500 we just need to find a spot in Oz that sells them. I have a mate on the look out for one. But if you know anywere e-mail me.
I am not sure if mid way ship overseas, I tried looking on there sights but only get recoil pads for rifles etc. not these these past pads.
Holmes, I just re-read your post and am going off to check that link now !! thanks for that. I would like to see a picture !! Does this just sit on your shoulder or attach some how ??
[ 01-26-2003, 14:05: Message edited by: PC ]
Posts: 7505 | Location: Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002
I barrowed a Past recoil reducer from a buddy to site in my 460 Weatherby. I thought the 300 Weatherby had a sharper recoil then the 460 did. It seamed to work very well, no black and blue shoulder just a little sore. I just picked up a Past super magnum plus for range work.
Posts: 11 | Location: Minnesota, USA | Registered: 25 January 2003
PC: I decided on the 458 to wait, and buy both, if my job doesn't get cut by the Gov of USSR of Kalifornia, since his sorry ass can't manage money, or energy.
The Browning doesn't seem to be jumping out of the place, and, with a 22 inch barrel, and some light hand loads, would make an excellent kick around gun. It's very light, and needs a bit of work.
The CZ's are just too cheap to pass up, and, if I can get 5-6 rounds in the magazine, that's a nice feature to have.
Still, now is not the time. I do really like the FN action, and it's not a salt gun.
Thinking about trading a 45 Kimber for part of it, but can't make up my mind...
DR S
Posts: 1805 | Location: American Athens, Greece | Registered: 24 November 2001
PC, I have one I never really used.I can mail it to you if you want.I think mine might be the magnum mentioned above.Seemed to cut down a fair bit of recoil but I found it a bit annoying to wear-I had to get another peice of strap for it to fit around me for a start.
Karl.
Posts: 3540 | Location: various | Registered: 03 June 2000
I would really like that. How much $$ do you want. You can leave the extra strap on Karl as I do a little bit of gym stuff myself as well.
When did you back ??
How have you been ??
Socs, I know what you mean about trying to pass those cz's up. I am looking to try and scramble up some cash to get a cz .458 so I can have the trifecta
[ 01-27-2003, 16:11: Message edited by: PC ]
Posts: 7505 | Location: Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002
from what I can gather it's a similar situation to purchasing a cz in .375 in that some will hold 6 down and some only 5. But I am pretty sure for the .458 it's 5 down and one up the spout. Ah-well looks as though I had better purchase a cz 550 in .458 to find out
In all seriusness I really want to get a cz .458 for a lott project. I like the lott due to the mag capacity, my other choice is the .450 Rigby. But I see the lott as being more of a versatile gun, more suited to using cheap 45/70 bullets for blasting smaller than intended game
Posts: 7505 | Location: Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002