20 years ago i got my first big bore,a 404, after reading all the bloody hype about big bores ,i was dissapointed that it did not kick my shoulder off.Some days though it seemed to KICK and other days it did not .i have always wondered why this is ???? my 470 ''FEELS "" like my limit after two motorbike accidents and hurting[ my shoulder] at my work place .Which it never recovered from .Maybe there are many things that come into ,how well your body handles recoil ,your health ,what you eat or drink etc .dehydration etc.Does muscle or Flab absorb recoil better ,a question for the'' experts''?????

I usually shoot no more than 6 to 12 .450's from a bench. But don't really have a problem shooting off hand.

I once shot 40 or more rounds from my .375 from a bench with no padding and resulted in a palm size completely black bruise on my shoulder. Silly thing to do.

Now I put on a jacket and just lie a towel inside it for cushioning.

Recoil tolerance is cumulative and once you get used to one level the next level becomes easier. Going backwards they feel like a 'feather'. Eg if I shoot a .30-06 or a .303 after the .450 they feel like a .22 with no recoil at all.

At one time I used to practice for a safari by shooting off in my .30-06 40 to 60 rounds at game targets from any and all field positions. The simple recoil and blast does have an effect however. Great offhand rapid fire practice can also be done with a .22. To the should, on target fire, reload from the shoulder, fire, etc etc until it becomes automatic. With the 'real' rifle sessions added in of course.

I too can get headaches from shooting including a shotgun. Not one of my shotguns have recoil pads so shooting a session or three of clays, a dull ache is experienced at the end of the day.