I was finally able to shoot my .416 Rigby the other day and left the range with a very sore shoulder. Part of this was due to shooting 20 rounds from the bench and although I used the time tested technique of "hanging on for dear life", I was still a little battered. This rifle is a converted ZKK-602 and I was using the original, butt-ugly BRNO stock (which I am replacing) with a Pachmyer recoil pad. The pad was a shotgun style, ventilated and not nearly as soft as the Decelerator.
My question is, what brand and type of pad would you forum members recommend? I really would like a solid, non-ventilated type that I can round the edges like the Pachmyer Old English Decelerator. I will use that very pad if that is what the concensus is for the best pad.

I really love my limbsavers


regards
S&F

20 rounds off the bench with a .416 is going to hurt regardless of your recoil pad.I have a .375 H&H and a .458 Lott both BRNO and use pachmayr decelerators on both. I have never tried more that 10 shots off the bench with either but i am really happy with the Pachmayr pads

I have mounted the new Pachmayr XLT Magnum pad on my 375 AI, and Ruger RSM Lott. I really like it. I used decelerators for a long time but like the XLT better. It is much more difficult to fit and finish nicely. I use a 12" disc grinder with a 60 grit wheel and it works well, but makes a mess. But it's worth it.

I have Pachmeyer's on all my rifles with 3 exceptions. My 7x57 custom has a Neidner steel,my Mdl 70 257 custom has a Galazan Silvers (could not fit a Neidner to the butt without extensive reshaping)and my 416 Rigby has a Kick-Eze. I will not use another Kick-Eze as this one has deformed from just sitting in the gunsafe and I feel they are too tacky and drag on the mount of the gun. I may have just gotten an unusual pad though. They seem to WORK well at absorbing the recoil.

I still like a leather covered Silvers pad..Jack Belk told me that all a recoil pad does is give the gun a running start at the shoulder, and he may have been right for once!

I shot an old 404 quite a bit at one time and it had a steel butt plate, if I held it tight into my shoulder with my right trigger hand, the recoil didn't bother me at all..Maybe I just have a tough shoulder, but my cheek sure is tender and if the comb is high you will hear me squeel...

A limbsavers, recoil pad should help reduce felt recoil.

I use a sand bag over my shoulder its like two sewed together when shooting my 458 Lott or my 416 on the bench. Standing I just use the recoil pad that came with my rifle. Then its just a push or a shove.

Pachmayr F990. That sucker is the best thing since sliced bread. It might not be the most beautiful thing, it works.

The factory pad on my Ruger bolt action Lott.It's hugs the stock and there is little play.

Limbsaver...

Bull1

Thanks for your replies. It looks like it's a choice between Pachmyer and Limbsaver. I'll take a look at both and make a decision. Thanks again!

Limbsaver first and Decel second. Unlike Ray I believe a good pad does make a rifle more comfortable to shoot...by far. My #1 Lott with its factory "pad" (a good solid 1/4" hard rubber as per Ray ) was nasty. A limbsaver did indeed delay the recoil impulse and helped a lot. My bigger rifles (Rigby and Lott) all have Limbsavers although the Decels serve fine on my Lapua and smaller rounds.

edit to add: even with "proper" big bore bench technique the bigger rounds take their toll. 20 rounds of Rigby/Lott is past my comfort zone...I have shot as many/more per bench session but learned that for me at least it isn't a good thing. Its not a sore shoulder thing, its more of a "shooter's headache" (mild concussion?) thing that hits one on the way home from the range and can stay with you for awhile! I don't think that is good

Shooting offhand or a standing bench helps greatly. I still limit my shooting of my Lott to 20-25 rounds a day varminting. If you feel the desire to shoot any more waning call it a day with the bigger stuff.

John

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
I still like a leather covered Silvers pad..Jack Belk told me that all a recoil pad does is give the gun a running start at the shoulder, and he may have been right for once!

I shot an old 404 quite a bit at one time and it had a steel butt plate, if I held it tight into my shoulder with my right trigger hand, the recoil didn't bother me at all..Maybe I just have a tough shoulder, but my cheek sure is tender and if the comb is high you will hear me squeel...

Agree!

My Double Square Bridge Mauser 98 in .505 Gibbs has a Silver's and my Webley & Scott .450/.400 has a steel but plate!







Silver's in the morning...
Silver's in the evening...

Personally I use limb savers for most rifles under medium bore. However, the best recoil absorbing in my book would be the kick Eeze. I use a Kick Eeze for my .375 H+H and this rifle now feels like a 30.06. However they do have a lovely habit of literally just coming apart! If you get one make sure the edges are grounded round. The one on my .375 H+H has had this done and so far so good. I have a decelerator on my CZ .458 Lott and I'm thinking of having a Kick Eeze fitted to this rifle also.
Cheers,
Gatsby.

+1 Gatsby26
I use the 1 3/8 " thick Kickeez Magnum.

From the bench, a Lead Sled "Recoil Pad".

You mention "butt ugly stock" -- And so I wonder if the stock fits. I've discovered that stock fit helps manage recoil a great deal.

Also, I discovered shooting a .458 Win. Mag. off the bench -- the bench needs to "fit" too. I've seen too many shooters hunched, bunched, curled in some awkward pose around a rifle off a bench that doesn't begin to fit.

I found this out the "obvious" way when I got out to the range and forgot my bench rest. I ended up improvising with carpet over a hollow "box" . . . And every time I pulled the trigger on a Ruger No. 1 -- 45/70 the gun would beat me to death because I was not "aligned" with the bench. About 10 rds and I was flinching, gritting my teeth and closing my eyes.

Sometimes you can fix your bench position just by finding a stool with adjustable height options. Sandbag under the elbow, or elbow pad from the sporting goods shop helps stop the abuse too.

Do not overlook the XLT magnim I mentioned. Based on my inspection of both it's as cushy as the F990 without the side openeing. Pachmayr has gone to great lengths to ensure the stability of this pad over time and guarantee it not to take a set.

I put a Limbsaver prefit on a Ruger No. 1 in .458 Lott, and a coil of lead wire in the butt to bring weight to 10 pounds, and as long as I held on, the Ruger could do me no harm -- just shove me around.

hairbol do you feel the XLT soaks up recoil better than their Decelerator? I have a Kickeze now and it's coming apart. I could use a thicker pad to increase the LOP also.

Chuck

Yes! I supported a small shop for a few years and all the trap guys wanted Kick Eeze, and I had a few folks that wanted the Limbsaver. I fit several of each and shot the guns. I like the XLT mag better! I fit one to extra spacers for my Steyr 300 Win Mag and it's awesome. I have a decelerator mounted for a 30-06 Steyr and as such they are interchangeable. The XLT Mag is superior!

quote:

Originally posted by Masterifleman:
I was finally able to shoot my .416 Rigby the other day and left the range with a very sore shoulder. Part of this was due to shooting 20 rounds from the bench and although I used the time tested technique of "hanging on for dear life", I was still a little battered. This rifle is a converted ZKK-602 and I was using the original, butt-ugly BRNO stock (which I am replacing) with a Pachmyer recoil pad. The pad was a shotgun style, ventilated and not nearly as soft as the Decelerator.
My question is, what brand and type of pad would you forum members recommend? I really would like a solid, non-ventilated type that I can round the edges like the Pachmyer Old English Decelerator. I will use that very pad if that is what the concensus is for the best pad.

None of my rifles has a recoil pad. So this information is not personal experience. Mic McPherson converts Marlin M1895 lever action rifles to 510 Kodiak Express. This conversion can obtain as much as 5700 ft/lbs of energy. We're talking about 470 Nitro Express energies. He installs a Kick-Ez (spelling??) pad. Were I seeking a pad, I'd give this a careful look.

Hope this helps.