What is the best all around recoil pad and why?

[mdwest]

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

I’ve found none fit any rifle perfectly… if you want a nice, smooth fit and finish you pretty much have to do a little grinding and sanding…

 

[samson7x]

I’ve found none fit any rifle perfectly… if you want a nice, smooth fit and finish you pretty much have to do a little grinding and sanding…

Did you buy the jig as well to get the angle right or just eyeball it?

I hate to spend money on a jig that I’ll use once.

 

[dogcat1]

Decelerator, Kick Ezz or a suppressor. Suppressor is the best.

 

[Adam Stevens]

Ive used Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company pads for the last 3-4 projects. just their period correct ones in specific lengths. or the silvers.

love them

 

[Ontario Hunter]

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…

And the trap/skeet pros don't typically shoot heavy recoil shells/guns. I can understand why a soft recoil pad might be effective on a gun with moderate recoil. But competitive shotgun sports is not African hunting. Most of us don't go after those animals with light recoiling rifles. Also, competitive shooters tend to use their sponsors' equipment. Doesn't necessarily mean it's the best equipment.

At the club I have yet to see a shotgun with a factory installed Limbsaver recoil pad. All the Browning O/Us I've handled have Pachmayer pads. They are labeled Browning but Pachmayer is clearly the manufacturer. I have zero interest in new manufacture rifles now but back in the days when I did, I don't recall handling any that were outfitted from the factory with Limbsaver pads.

Every shot at the trap/skeet range and the Limbsaver slipon would move cockeyed on my shotgun's buttstock. If I didn't manually straighten it, the gun would mount cockeyed on the next shot. The finger smashing is not something I have ever encountered with any other setup. Mind you, I shoot rather heavy range loads of an ounce or ounce and an eighth, though below maximum velocity. However, my auto shotgun is perhaps the heaviest twelve gauge ever made (31" barrel Browning A5 Magnum Twelve circa 1961) so recoil is not severe (I have a history of retina issues), but obviously too severe for Limbsaver. Occasionally I will shoot a round or two with my Citori and the difference in recoil is definitely noticable. On rainy days at the range I'll dust off my old 870 goose gun with factory Remington black plastic and wonder how I tolerated that recoil for nearly forty years. It originally came from the factory with wood and "White Line" Pachmayer recoil pad, though I don't think Limbsaver was in business in 1968. The plastic setup was added fairly recently after second wood buttstock broke. It's factory recoil pad is clearly not Limbsaver. Not distinctively Pachmayer either though about the same stiffness. Neither of those guns with stiffer recoil pads and wearing Pachmayer slipon have ever bashed my index finger.

I use a slipon because I need a long LOP ... unless wearing a lot of layers hunting in cold conditions when it's removed. Because I shoot skeet/clays low gun it's important that my shotgun fit me (cosmetics are immaterial). Pachmayer slipon Decelerator does have one drawback: their handy easy on/off design. I lost three of them in four years hunting pheasants. They make a cheaper model now with same recoil absorption but conventional sidewalls and I've had good luck with it (but they are hard to find). Also, the fancy Decelerator slipon pads have a hard rubber tip at the top of the pad to help keep them from getting caught in clothing during quick mount. I like the idea but one needs to be aware the butt is slippery if the gun is stood upright on a hard surface.

Limbsaver are definitely more available than Pachmayer. Personally, I think it has more to do with marketing tactics than product effectiveness. "Limbsaver" and "Kickeze" are catchy names. Pachmayer conveys nothing in the name. Haven't done any price comparisons but I suspect Limbsaver may also be cheaper than Pachmayer.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Did you buy the jig as well to get the angle right or just eyeball it?

I hate to spend money on a jig that I’ll use once.

A friend gave me a jig. They come up on eBay fairly regularly. Not very expensive.

 

[dgr416]

I use past pads when shooting 338 wim mag and bigger at the range and shoot off of a milk crate with a 60 pound bull bag not off the bench .I use two past pads on my 416 rrm mags which is my limit on rifles for shooting well .I also like the kickezz pads on my rifles .I have shot my 416 with reduced loads 125 times this way in a day and it does not hurt .I am 63 now and dont shoot that much becsuse of the cost now but still works .My reduced load for 416 rem mag is 2400 fps with a 350 gr bullet .I also found a powder such as r15 which is 11 grs less with 200 gr bullet kicks less too .

 

[mdwest]

Did you buy the jig as well to get the angle right or just eyeball it?

I hate to spend money on a jig that I’ll use once.

I eyeball it… but I’ll admit I also screwed up the toe angle on the first few I ever did… once I figured out the angles all has been well ever since…

 

[mdwest]

And the trap/skeet pros don't typically shoot heavy recoil shells/guns. I can understand why a soft recoil pad might be effective on a gun with moderate recoil. But competitive shotgun sports is not African hunting. Most of us don't go after those animals with light recoiling rifles.

Funny how you try to change the debate… when it was you that brought shotgun sports into the discussion and specifically speak to the use of limbsavers on your shotgun..

That facts remain the facts.. the overwhelming majority of shotgun olympians and pros use limbsaver.. they earn a living with their shotguns… and limbsaver is what they shoot…

You attempted to use limbsaver on your shotgun and it didn’t work for you..

So in the context of using a recoil pad on a shotgun, which is the context that YOU spoke to… whose opinion should be trusted? A gold medal winning Olympian? Or perhaps a national champion? Or yours?

 

[David jr]

Limb saver NITRO GRIND-TO-FIT RECOIL PAD 1 1/2 inch thick
I am using on every thing feather weight 30/06 , 300 win mag , 300 h&h , 375 H&h , 458 win mag
and I am having this same pad put on a CZ 458 lott I am having built right now. shooting a 696 gr bullets in 458 win mag at 1950 fps and the lott should get me to 2200 fps with the same bullet yes it will hurt you with out a good recoil pad.

 

[MS 9x56]

And the trap/skeet pros don't typically shoot heavy recoil shells/guns. I can understand why a soft recoil pad might be effective on a gun with moderate recoil. But competitive shotgun sports is not African hunting. Most of us don't go after those animals with light recoiling rifles. Also, competitive shooters tend to use their sponsors' equipment. Doesn't necessarily mean it's the best equipment.

At the club I have yet to see a shotgun with a factory installed Limbsaver recoil pad. All the Browning O/Us I've handled have Pachmayer pads. They are labeled Browning but Pachmayer is clearly the manufacturer. I have zero interest in new manufacture rifles now but back in the days when I did, I don't recall handling any that were outfitted from the factory with Limbsaver pads.

Every shot at the trap/skeet range and the Limbsaver slipon would move cockeyed on my shotgun's buttstock. If I didn't manually straighten it, the gun would mount cockeyed on the next shot. The finger smashing is not something I have ever encountered with any other setup. Mind you, I shoot rather heavy range loads of an ounce or ounce and an eighth, though below maximum velocity. However, my auto shotgun is perhaps the heaviest twelve gauge ever made (31" barrel Browning A5 Magnum Twelve circa 1961) so recoil is not severe (I have a history of retina issues), but obviously too severe for Limbsaver. Occasionally I will shoot a round or two with my Citori and the difference in recoil is definitely noticable. On rainy days at the range I'll dust off my old 870 goose gun with factory Remington black plastic and wonder how I tolerated that recoil for nearly forty years. It originally came from the factory with wood and "White Line" Pachmayer recoil pad, though I don't think Limbsaver was in business in 1968. The plastic setup was added fairly recently after second wood buttstock broke. It's factory recoil pad is clearly not Limbsaver. Not distinctively Pachmayer either though about the same stiffness. Neither of those guns with stiffer recoil pads and wearing Pachmayer slipon have ever bashed my index finger.

I use a slipon because I need a long LOP ... unless wearing a lot of layers hunting in cold conditions when it's removed. Because I shoot skeet/clays low gun it's important that my shotgun fit me (cosmetics are immaterial). Pachmayer slipon Decelerator does have one drawback: their handy easy on/off design. I lost three of them in four years hunting pheasants. They make a cheaper model now with same recoil absorption but conventional sidewalls and I've had good luck with it (but they are hard to find). Also, the fancy Decelerator slipon pads have a hard rubber tip at the top of the pad to help keep them from getting caught in clothing during quick mount. I like the idea but one needs to be aware the butt is slippery if the gun is stood upright on a hard surface.

Limbsaver are definitely more available than Pachmayer. Personally, I think it has more to do with marketing tactics than product effectiveness. "Limbsaver" and "Kickeze" are catchy names. Pachmayer conveys nothing in the name. Haven't done any price comparisons but I suspect Limbsaver may also be cheaper than Pachmayer.

Just stop, you are embarrassing yourself.

 

[mdwest]

Just stop, you are embarrassing yourself.

That’s pretty much his status quo.. both he and the rest of us are used to it lol…

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Funny how you try to change the debate… when it was you that brought shotgun sports into the discussion and specifically speak to the use of limbsavers on your shotgun..

That facts remain the facts.. the overwhelming majority of shotgun olympians and pros use limbsaver.. they earn a living with their shotguns… and limbsaver is what they shoot…

You attempted to use limbsaver on your shotgun and it didn’t work for you..

So in the context of using a recoil pad on a shotgun, which is the context that YOU spoke to… whose opinion should be trusted? A gold medal winning Olympian? Or perhaps a national champion? Or yours?

Didn't change anything re the "debate." The point being if Limbsaver slipon is so soft it bashes my finger when shooting trap loads out of a heavy auto shotgun, it's not going to perform any better on a large caliber rifle. Grind-to-fit Limbsaver pads are no stiffer than their slipons. When I was finishing up my 404 build on the cusp of my third safari, I was almost stuck with Limbsaver because that's all the local gun store carried. However, I gave a grind-to-fit one a squeeze and opted instead to make the used Pachmayer shotgun pad I had on hand work.

I imagine if one wanted to do some valid research, Pachmayer probably puts as many if not more pads on competitive shotguns. But again, just because soft recoil pads work on relatively soft shooting shotguns doesn't mean they will work on hard recoiling rifles. Why would they?

The way recoil pads work is by dissipating energy more slowly via internal baffles. If the baffles are soft, the energy is not dissipated as slowly = energy hits the shoulder faster = harder felt recoil. For a gun that imparts minimal recoil, a softer recoil pad may work fine. Softer pads are receiving less energy to dissipate. But if the gun repeatedly smashes my index finger against the trigger guard, its recoil pad is obviously not slowing up the recoil enough. As I said, it's actually making felt recoil worse, e.g. the example of holding the stock an inch from shoulder and firing it. Laws of Physics.

 

[MS 9x56]

Didn't change anything re the "debate." The point being if Limbsaver slipon is so soft it bashes my finger when shooting trap loads out of a heavy auto shotgun, it's not going to perform any better on a large caliber rifle. Grind-to-fit Limbsaver pads are no stiffer than their slipons. When I was finishing up my 404 build on the cusp of my third safari, I was almost stuck with Limbsaver because that's all the local gun store carried. However, I gave a grind-to-fit one a squeeze and opted instead to make the used Pachmayer shotgun pad I had on hand work.

I imagine if one wanted to do some valid research, Pachmayer probably puts as many if not more pads on competitive shotguns. But again, just because soft recoil pads work on relatively soft shooting shotguns doesn't mean they will work on hard recoiling rifles. Why would they?

The way recoil pads work is by dissipating energy more slowly via internal baffles. If the baffles are soft, the energy is not dissipated as slowly = energy hits the shoulder faster = harder felt recoil. For a gun that imparts minimal recoil, a softer recoil pad may work fine. Softer pads are receiving less energy to dissipate. But if the gun repeatedly smashes my index finger against the trigger guard, its recoil pad is obviously not slowing up the recoil enough. As I said, it's actually making felt recoil worse, e.g. the example of holding the stock an inch from shoulder and firing it. Laws of Physics.

Use what works for you. I will stick with limbsaver as they work very well for me. Variety is the spice of life.

 

[wesheltonj]

AA&E Neoprene slip-on pad. It takes the recoil of my 375 down to my 308. Switch them out at the end of the day to have time for the pad to go back to original. Slips over the stock and keeps your firearm factory.

 

[steve white]

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.

Limbsaver is soft, but one of the early grind to fit ones I put on a rifle became VERY sticky over time--so much so that it would actually pick up leaves! Hope they have improved that.

 

[ET1775]

I just dance with the one I brung. My rifles have a variety of recoil pads, most are factory. in practice if I am out to shoot higher volumes of higher recoiling rounds I will wear a thicker shirt. That way I don't develop flinch in practice, but when I am hunting it doesn't cross my mind. Of the rifles I have though, the Ruger No 1 from 1981 with a very hard, red rubber pad in .375 H&H is the worst, harsh, sharp and fast. the Blaser R8 in .458 Lott ( with light for caliber rounds so far, 295 gr @2630 fps) is pretty gentle. My Ruger No 1 in .450 No 2 NE 3 1/2 inch with the black Ruger pad is an easy shove, no discomfort. I have used decelerators on shotguns and they work fine, heavy, 3" 12 ga loads can still be a bit harsh but nothing like the old 3" H&H single shot 12 gauge slug gun that weighed about 5.5 lbs and kicked like I owed it money!

 

[Daryl S]

Be tough. Put a Neidner checkered steel plate on it and be done. That Neidner buttplate is why I sold my .50 3 1/4" Sharps.
I used ICI 1F, 170gr. fit the case with a 700gr. bullet. Too many of those and the rifle was gone!

 

[fourfive8]

Several good ones. Need to be fairly thin and solid for durability. Too soft and/or thick and they may actually exacerbate felt recoil by introducing kinetic effect at end of full compression during recoil.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Limbsaver is soft, but one of the early grind to fit ones I put on a rifle became VERY sticky over time--so much so that it would actually pick up leaves! Hope they have improved that.

A heap of them failed like that, gun oils were blamed, but I think it was a faulty product
Gumpy