Brands with good factory recoil pads

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Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by whert » 07 May 2014, 10:35 am

Hi guys,

Looking to introduce the nephew to some centrefire shooting, but I'm no expert TBH. Haven't really got much experience with many rifles.

We'll be looking at game hunting calibres, so managing recoil for him will be important.

Shouldering it in the shop is one thing, but shooting it is another.

What brands do you think have good factory recoil pads? Would just like an off the shelf option, don't want to much around with gunsmithing a different pad on or that stuff.

Thanks.
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by Chronos » 07 May 2014, 11:42 am

To be honest mate just buy the rifle you like and fit a limbsaver recoil pad. They go for between $25 and $40 on eBay and are easy to fit (2 screws)

I have one in my tikka and its great.

I also have a slip-on pachmyer decelerator that I can fit to most if my guns if needed but It usually lives on my single barrel 12g

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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by Baldrick314 » 07 May 2014, 2:29 pm

I'm a big fan of the remington supercell. My 308 has one and I can comfortably shoot more than 50 rounds in one sitting with it
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by Hatter » 07 May 2014, 3:13 pm

I think Remington is probably the softest factory one going?
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by Lorgar » 07 May 2014, 3:23 pm

Remington - Soft and squishy.

Tikka - Medium firm, but thick so there is enough to absorb some of the kick.

Browning - Same as above.

Sako - Medium firm. Quite a bit thinner than Tikka though so less absorption.

That's pretty general, can vary on different rifles from the same brand though.

Ruger for example, the Scout pad is medium firm but very thick so works well. (Rifle is pretty heavy too so less recoil from that side of things too).

Ruger Hawkeye pads are craaap though. Thin and too hard IMO.
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by disko » 07 May 2014, 3:24 pm

Lorgar wrote:Sako - Medium firm. Quite a bit thinner than Tikka though so less absorption.


Hadn't noticed that, thought they'd be the same?
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by Lorgar » 07 May 2014, 3:26 pm

Nah, they're very different.

Check out the Tikka Forest stock vs a Sako Hunter or Bavarian.

The Sako's are both about half as thick as the Tikka recoil pad.
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by gherx » 07 May 2014, 3:27 pm

whert wrote:Would just like an off the shelf option, don't want to much around with gunsmithing a different pad on or that stuff.


That's grind-to-fit recoil pads you're talking about there though.

Don't forget there are pre-fit pads for common rifles like Rem 700, Ruger, Tikka etc. that you can DIY.

Screw old one off, screw new one on.

Just the cost of the pad, no gunsmithing needed.

Just FYI.
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by Monty » 07 May 2014, 3:30 pm

A point worth mentioning for the pre-fit pads though is they will typically increase your length of pull.

Swap a factory 1cm pad with a 3cm Limbsaver and you change your grip, eye relief, everything really...

Not always a problem, some guys benefit from the extra length of pull. But if your rifle was the right fit before you added the thicker pad you can upset the balance.

That's when getting a grind-to-fit pad fitted by a smith is preferred. If the pad is 2cm thicker they will cut 2cm off the butt of your stock so the length of pull remains the same.
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by MrClark » 08 May 2014, 10:05 am

Im no expert but the factory recoil pad on my FN made Win M70 Sporter works really well, 30-06 calibre and I don't really feel it, more of a push.

Biggest range session involved 70 rounds, and no sore shoulder, full power 165gr hand loads.

I fired a blokes .243 Tikka Super Varmint? I think that's the model. And believe it of not that was nastier than the 30-06, but I think rifle weight had more to do with it.
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by Lyam » 09 May 2014, 3:12 pm

MrClark wrote:Im no expert but the factory recoil pad on my FN made Win M70 Sporter works really well, 30-06 calibre and I don't really feel it, more of a push.


A little extra padding goes a surprisingly long way to turning a 'punch' into a 'push'.

From a hard or thin factory pad, a squishy Limbsaver makes a huge difference.
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by Lorgar » 09 May 2014, 3:17 pm

MrClark wrote:I fired a blokes .243 Tikka Super Varmint? I think that's the model. And believe it of not that was nastier than the 30-06, but I think rifle weight had more to do with it.


Weight's definitely a biggie.

I used to have a Ruger Hawkeye in .243 with the previously mentioned crappy factory recoil pad, and a mate of mine has the .308 Scout.

180gr loads in the .308 Scout were more pleasant to shoot than 95gr loads in the .243.

Switched the .243 factory pad to a Limbsaver and it became gentle as.
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by whert » 09 May 2014, 3:18 pm

Thanks for the replies all round guys.

Good information when we head to the store this weekend.
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by Mark TAC » 10 May 2014, 10:15 pm

I know you asked about facotry pads but talk did turn towards aftermarket......... just in case u are considering it I can vouch for Kick-Eez. I am using them on my stocks as the recoil reduction is about double that of Limbsaver and Pachmayer. I also find them a little easier to get a nice finish when grinding
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by whert » 13 May 2014, 3:13 pm

Thanks Mark.

Got to the store. Remington is definitely a soft one like has been said but he's liking a Tikka most so far.

The Tikka had an ok pad, knowing there are pre-fit aftermarket ones is good though. If he ends up going with that he can try the factory pad for a while and swap it out for a pre-fit Kick-Eez down the road if he's really got to.

Just really trying to avoid a gunsmith jobbie.
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by zook60 » 13 May 2014, 3:27 pm

Chronos wrote:To be honest mate just buy the rifle you like and fit a limbsaver recoil pad. They go for between $25 and $40 on eBay and are easy to fit (2 screws)

I have one in my tikka and its great.

I also have a slip-on pachmyer decelerator that I can fit to most if my guns if needed but It usually lives on my single barrel 12g

Chronos


Yep what this guy said the Limbsaver code is 10011 for tikka. I have one my 308 it does increase the length of pull tho.
To be honest the Tikka standard pad is crap. Even the Howa houge pad is heaps better.
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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by Chronos » 13 May 2014, 3:32 pm

Be careful storing your rifles standing in the safe muzzle up with some softer recoil pads.

Some brands deteriorate quite quickly when left this way.

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Re: Brands with good factory recoil pads

Post by Kelix » 13 May 2014, 3:36 pm

Chronos wrote:Some brands deteriorate quite quickly when left this way.


And give you a nice pile of gooey carpet at the bottom.
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