What is the best all around recoil pad and why?

[steve white]

I've been a big fan of Pachmeyr Decelerator for a long time, maybe long enough to be overlooking something better? I especially like the model with the section of smooth plastic at the very top of the pad that ensures against rubber snagging on clothing.
I am also really impressed with the recoil suppression ability of the leather slip over pads with the velcro closure, as sold by Kevins or I think Galco. The insert inside is actually a covered gel type, soft recoiling substance. Works great on shotguns or rifles.
Please feel free to comment on Silvers (or others) of which I am familiar, but have no actual experience. Are they soft recoiling?

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

If it’s going on a double rifle, especially of British origin Silvers is the only “correct” choice.

Galzan makes a similar reproduction silvers but it’s not exactly the same. They also do some reproduction Winchester Red Pads.

Some guys like the leather sewn on pads. I have 1 rifle with one and it’s quite nice, but not sure if it really helps with recoil absorption.

 

[mdwest]

I used to be a big fan of the decelerators and put them on all of my rifles… over the last few years I’ve become a bit of a kickezz convert though.. I find them to be softer, handle recoil a little better, and much easier to work with when grinding and fitting on an install…

Pretty much all of my rifles and shotguns now either wear a factory pad, or when it’s time for a replacement, they get a kickezz…

 

[Ontario Hunter]

There is a point of diminishing returns for recoil pads. Many think a softer a pad is better for recoil absorption when the opposite may actually be true, especially in heavy recoil guns. Imagine holding a 416 Rigby rifle one inch from your shoulder and pulling the trigger. It would slap you hard enough to almost/maybe break bones! That's essentially what happens when shooting the rifle with too soft a recoil pad. Limbsaver is a good example. WAY too squishy. I find Pachmayer Decelerator is the best for balancing firmness/softness to properly minimize heavy recoil. They also fit my budget. I want my rifles too look good but no need to go overboard.

 

[deewayne2003]

I used to be a big fan of the decelerators and put them on all of my rifles… over the last few years I’ve become a bit of a kickezz convert though.. I find them to be softer, handle recoil a little better, and much easier to work with when grinding and fitting on an install…

Pretty much all of my rifles and shotguns now either wear a factory pad, or when it’s time for a replacement, they get a kickezz…

X2 on Kickeez

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I use decelerator pads on all my big calibre rifles, I have used them on 375's and up to 500's as well as everything in between. I've never tried anything else, for me the decelerator pads work very well.

Currenty having one fitted to my 450/400 double.

 

[grand veneur]

I also think that the various Pachmayr Decelerator pads are the best compromise for all rifles, regardless of caliber. As @Ontario Hunter Hunter wrote, the pads should not be too soft for rifles with stronger recoil. The Silver pads are ideal in this case, although they are not superior to some Pachmayr models. In the early days there was nothing else available, which is why the Silver pads are found on older rifles and have become a symbol for safari rifles. In practice, this was no longer relevant by emergence of the Pachmayr pads between the World Wars. The leather cover of a pad looks excellent but offers no advantages. What is underneath is what matters.

 

[glblanchard]

Hi Steve, I fit a Falcon Strike recoil pad on a Ruger NO1 375 H&H. Seems to reduce recoil very well. I haven't used one, but the Backfire Recoil pad looks interesting.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Backfire. not for traditional style rifles though.

Backstop Recoil Pad

The Backstop recoil pad is a revolutionary design that is customized to your own rifle's recoil level. It comes with the "throne" protector for storage and has a unique dampening profile. Backstops are made to fit nearly every rifle style.

backfireshop.com

 

[yamoon]

I have a Mauser sporter 8x57i, some wuss put a Pachmeyr
pad on it years ago, it needs replaced. Any suggestions on a spacer and pad to replace the Pachmeyr and maintain the LOP.
Mike

 

[Jeff505]

I have put a Limb saver grind to fit on my larger caliber rifles with good results.

 

[Killo]

I just changed my original pad for the Pachmeyer decelerator in my . 416 rigby Dakota rifle. Shot 12 rounds yesterday and it felt great, much better than the original…

 

[BryceM]

In a couple weeks, I will be taking 2 Backfire Backstop pads to Africa at the request of my PH. I ordered 2, paid for 2, and 3 showed up at my house. I contacted them, and they told me to keep it. They then asked me what the model it was and sent me a list of the rifles it would fit. Above and beyond, says I.

 

[zephyr]

Another fan of the Pachmayr Decelerator pads...
To add to "Ontario Hunter"s comment on Squishy, I find when shouldering a Gun fitted with a softer squishy pad the Gun floats in my shoulder pocket making it hard to maintain good contact with the stock..

 

[MS 9x56]

Another vote for limbsaver. I have them on 4 of my rifles and all my 3” chambered shotguns. I also use the slip on pads for guns I need to lengthen LOP.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I threw away my Limbsaver slipon recoil pads. They are too soft, even in the sidewalls. Wander out of place at the range. After EVERY station at trap I had to readjust the damn thing. I even bought a size to small. Still wouldn't stay put. It's the only make our local gun shop would carry.

 

[MS 9x56]

Try mounting the gun in the same place on your shoulder every time. It helps me keep them from wandering.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Try mounting the gun in the same place on your shoulder every time. It helps me keep them from wandering.

Pachmayer slipons don't wander. At all. Turbon slipons don't wander. Limbsaver wandered after every shot at trap. Also, they're so soft the recoil causes trigger guard to gouge the front of my index finger during every shot ... shooting twelve gauge trap loads ... with my Browning auto.

 

[mdwest]

It sounds like an @Ontario Hunter problem, not a limbsaver problem to me…

There is a reason that limbsaver FAR AND AWAY outsells every other brand among competitive and professional shotgun sports athletes…

I personally don’t like them and prefer kickeez…

But if you’re talking shotgun sports, that’s exactly where limbsaver dominates the market…

When most of the top rated Olympians and pros use them… that should tell the rest of us something… they shoot for a living… and they choose limbsaver…

That said, they also don’t shoot slip ons…

 

[samson7x]

Which kickeez model fits a model 70 Alaskan? I’m not seeing one. Or is everyone grinding to fit?