Best recoil pad?

[Bas]

Oct., 2018. For 20 odd years I've been using Pachmeyer Decelerator pads and have been satisfied with their performance on guns up to .300 Win. But now I want a good consensus from this crowd (if anyone knows about recoil reduction, it's THIS crowd) as to who makes the most effective recoil pad today for serious recoil.

Thanks, Bas

 

[Ridgewalker]

Muzzlebrake...!
Limbsavers seem to work well for me. So much depends on your body type though, as in length of pull, body mass, broad or narrow frame, etc. if you have broad shoulders with “meat”, the wider the pad, the better IMO.
I,m small framed with narrow shoulders, so not much space for a wide pad. I have suffered from detached retina as well, so too much recoil could cause a serious issue in the field.
I’m sure someone else will chime in here with more heavy metal experience.
Best of luck finding what works for you!

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

On my 300 win mag, 375 and 458 I use Decelerator pads and have mercury reducers installed in them. Makes for comfortable shooting

 

[Bas]

Muzzlebrake...!
Limbsavers seem to work well for me. So much depends on your body type though, as in length of pull, body mass, broad or narrow frame, etc. if you have broad shoulders with “meat”, the wider the pad, the better IMO.
I,m small framed with narrow shoulders, so not much space for a wide pad. I have suffered from detached retina as well, so too much recoil could cause a serious issue in the field.
I’m sure someone else will chime in here with more heavy metal experience.
Best of luck finding what works for you!

Thanks for your input, Bob

 

[Bas]

On my 300 win mag, 375 and 458 I use Decelerator pads and have mercury reducers installed in them. Makes for comfortable shooting

Thanks for your reply, Bob

 

[rookhawk]

Opposite answer than what you're looking for: The best recoil pad is a S.W. Silvers London best pad. They don't have much recoil reduction effort, but they look beautiful, they are durable, and they don't snag when drawing a weapon to the shoulder. Shooting one shot on a hunt, nobody feels the recoil. Practicing off sticks, you dont' feel much recoil.

When you like to shoot off a bench at the range a lot, now you need a good recoil pad for large calibers...I can't help you there, I don't want to go hunting with a sticky recoil pad that snags on my shirt in a life-and-death moment. Hence, I've thrown away ever kick-eeze and decelerator ever owned and put Silver's pads on everything I own.

 

[Bas]

Thanks for your input, Bob

What part of CO do you live ? I've hunted there maybe 10 (?) times. All unguided, 6 times by myself.
Spent a couple weeks in Eagles Nest, about 2 1/2 weeks southern Flat Tops, most of the rest around the Sylvan Lake State Park area. Last trip was 3rd season rifle south of Estes Park. Lots of good but tough memories.
Health issues dictate I probably will never see CO again, but really looked forward to the trips when I was able.
The reason for the pad question was because yesterday I picked up a .460 Weatherby yesterday (had my first .460 about 35 years ago) and don't think I'm going to like the pad that's on it. Don't know when it was made yet but it spent it's life as a safe queen. Oil finish and the Pendleton brake, made in Japan. Can't see any evidence in the bore it's ever been fired. Decent price by today's standards.
Considering mercury tubes, or maybe resell. Time will tell.
Best regards, Bob

Muzzlebrake...!
Limbsavers seem to work well for me. So much depends on your body type though, as in length of pull, body mass, broad or narrow frame, etc. if you have broad shoulders with “meat”, the wider the pad, the better IMO.
I,m small framed with narrow shoulders, so not much space for a wide pad. I have suffered from detached retina as well, so too much recoil could cause a serious issue in the field.
I’m sure someone else will chime in here with more heavy metal experience.
Best of luck finding what works for you!

 

[Bas]

Opposite answer than what you're looking for: The best recoil pad is a S.W. Silvers London best pad. They don't have much recoil reduction effort, but they look beautiful, they are durable, and they don't snag when drawing a weapon to the shoulder. Shooting one shot on a hunt, nobody feels the recoil. Practicing off sticks, you dont' feel much recoil.

When you like to shoot off a bench at the range a lot, now you need a good recoil pad for large calibers...I can't help you there, I don't want to go hunting with a sticky recoil pad that snags on my shirt in a life-and-death moment. Hence, I've thrown away ever kick-eeze and decelerator ever owned and put Silver's pads on everything I own.

Good to know. That's above my pay grade but NECG offers an interesting pad that sports a smooth spot on the heel. Don't know how good it absorbs recoil. Thinking about .375 H&H and .460 Weatherby replacement pads. My concern IS when shooting from the bench, you're absolutely right about shooting at game. Thanks for your reply.
Best regards, Bob

 

[Bas]

On my 300 win mag, 375 and 458 I use Decelerator pads and have mercury reducers installed in them. Makes for comfortable shooting

Been thinking about mercury tubes, haven't discussed them with someone who has actually used them.
Thanks, Bob

 

[Bas]

Opposite answer than what you're looking for: The best recoil pad is a S.W. Silvers London best pad. They don't have much recoil reduction effort, but they look beautiful, they are durable, and they don't snag when drawing a weapon to the shoulder. Shooting one shot on a hunt, nobody feels the recoil. Practicing off sticks, you dont' feel much recoil.

When you like to shoot off a bench at the range a lot, now you need a good recoil pad for large calibers...I can't help you there, I don't want to go hunting with a sticky recoil pad that snags on my shirt in a life-and-death moment. Hence, I've thrown away ever kick-eeze and decelerator ever owned and put Silver's pads on everything I own.

Can't find the Silvers pad US price but the UK price doesn't seem as bad as I expected. Sadly, most remarks agree with rookhawk, good visual appeal but not the best choice for recoil reduction.
Bob

 

[rookhawk]

Been thinking about mercury tubes, haven't discussed them with someone who has actually used them.
Thanks, Bob

The NECG "copies" of the S.W. Silver's pads are quite good and more importantly, they make them in a variety of lengths. They have quite a bit of recoil absorption without being tacky/sticky. My daughter's custom .243 is so adorned. That's probably the best compromise between gooey-t00-soft and nothing at all. (like a silvers)

 

[rookhawk]

Can't find the Silvers pad US price but the UK price doesn't seem as bad as I expected. Sadly, most remarks agree with rookhawk, good visual appeal but not the best choice for recoil reduction.
Bob

Connecticut Shotgun - Galazan, has them for around $75. They are HARD to install but when done right, they look awesome. Particularly the traditional orange pads. Many folks want even faster acquisition so they have them leather covered...very hard.

Silver's Pad $75

Typical installation $125

Leather covered pad installed $300-$400 including pad.

I had some warthog leather tanned from my hunt so in the future I can have my doubles wearing leather covered silver's pads. Shotguns typically get the same pad but with english pigskin treatment.

 

[Red Leg]

Then again for a .460 Weatherby you might consider a gun carriage!

I like classic looking rifles with traditional English pads. I have purchased the last several from Galazan. I don't shoot anything heavy enough to require a lot of recoil reduction - .375 is a non-issue and my .470 and 500/416 are pretty heavy doubles. For me, the pad is about achieving correct length of pull - we solves a lot of recoil issues by itself - though maybe no on your new cannon...….

 

[Luvthunt]

Not to jack the thread but who does the installations of various pads.

 

[JPbowhunter]

Not to jack the thread but who does the installations of various pads.

Yourself depending on what it is. I use limbsaver's and it's just a matter of screwing out the old and screwing in the new.

 

[Red Leg]

Yourself depending on what it is. I use limbsaver's and it's just a matter of screwing out the old and screwing in the new.

A bit more exacting work on Grade V English walnut. JJ Perodeau did my last two, though he hates doing it.

 

[Red Leg]

Then again for a .460 Weatherby you might consider a gun carriage!

I like classic looking rifles with traditional English pads. I have purchased the last several from Galazan. I don't shoot anything heavy enough to require a lot of recoil reduction - .375 is a non-issue and my .470 and 500/416 are pretty heavy doubles. For me, the pad is about achieving correct length of pull - we solves a lot of recoil issues by itself - though maybe no on your new cannon...….

"We solves....." how does that happen?!? Let's try "which solves ……." jeez.

 

[Bas]

A bit more exacting work on Grade V English walnut. JJ Perodeau did my last two, though he hates doing it.

Never been to Champlin but would do so if I'm ever in the area, which looks doubtful. Which pad did you get, Silvers ?
Regards, Bob

 

[Bas]

Never been to Champlin but would do so if I'm ever in the area, which looks doubtful. Which pad did you get, Silvers ?
Regards, Bob

Oops! Limbsaver.....which model ?
Bob

 

[Longwalker]

I put a Kick Eez sporting clays model pad on my Merkel double 450-400 rifle and also on my Sako AIV Safari .375. I couldn't be happier. Their soft material is the most effective at reducing felt recoil of any pads i've tried, ( including Pachmayr and Limbsaver ) and the "sporting clays" angled cut at the heel of the pad makes mounting without catching clothing smooth and trouble free. I also prefer the plain black colour to the red of "traditional" pads. The pad does not look as traditional but it works better.