Shoulder padding for absorbing rifle recoil

Discussion in 'Firearms' started by BigOnes113, Jan 27, 2026 at 20:46.


  1. BigOnes113

    BigOnes113 Monkey

    If I may continue my earlier thread, in which I asked for guidance regarding the purchase of my first rifle...In most of the rifle related YouTube videos I watch, people talk about felt recoil from different makes and models of rifle. I believe there exists padding you can buy for your shoulder in this regard. Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom or recommendations?
     
  2. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    Not without firearm specs.
    a recoil pad for a Magnum in a 7 pound gun is way way different than a 11 pound gun or say a medium action caliber.

    We can give you our favs but it won't mean diddly without knowing whatcha shootin'
     
  3. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    Most of the rifles I shoot have steel butt plates.

    Best advice I ever heard concerning recoil was not to let the rifle get a running start.

    If it's firmly in your shoulder, recoil is recoil.
     
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  4. Andy the Aussie

    Andy the Aussie Monkey+++ Founding Member

    Padding the shoulder (vs a recoil pad on the rifle) can adversely affect the handling and in some cases performance of a rifle. In all honesty if you are not shooting a heavy round in a light wight rifle the average adult should be OK especially if it is for hunting vs a range toy. The stock design will have significant input on “felt recoil” vs the actual rearward directed energy generated by the round’s discharge.
     
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  5. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    They are known as Rifle Recoil Pads, Buttstock Pads, Buttpads, and they can be found pretty much anywhere. You can buy the slip-on kind (you will need to know the size of your rifle stock) and they are classed by small caliber, medium, and magnum rifles generally. You can search for your rifle and try to find one that way, or visit a local gun shop. You can also get the kind that screws on, some can replace existing butt stock end plates. Your mileage may vary.

    Below is an example of the rubber slip-on kind I use on a Mosin 1891/59 carbine. It kicks like a 3-legged ninja, and after a few rounds you end up with a nasty bruise from the steel plate. It does change the overall length, but sometimes it's a good thing, as in my case.

    DSC00127.JPG
     
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  6. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    When I was shooting my heavy-recoiling milsurps, I used a hunting vest that I sewed a pad onto the right shoulder. A simple kitchen style pot holder covered in camo material matching the vest, it helped a lot on taming the recoil. And I used the slip-on rubber recoil pads for the rifles, though some military rifle butts aren't shaped like hunting rifles, totally different profile, wider at bottom than top, like the Mausers. So a slip-on often fit poorly, which can adversely affect shooting.
     
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  7. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    If your worried about recoil ,,, shoot from the hip .
    But if you're looking at a 22 caliber as many have mentioned,,, you won't need any recoil pads for it .
     
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  8. Illini Warrior

    Illini Warrior Illini Warrior

    don't even get started with "crutches" - if you were only going to shoot at ranges - OK - but depending on something that will be totally obtuse in an emergency and combat situation - going to harm your performance & ability >>> translate to getting yourself killed
     
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  9. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    If it's your rifle, do whatever makes you giggle and fart.

    Who cares what other people think. Just do you and do it to the best of your ability. And don't try to be a combat arms type if you're not. Up here in Amish country, most folks are hunters and they are a different breed. Do what you need to do, do what you like. Recoil pad or no recoil pad.
     
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  10. Capt. Tyree

    Capt. Tyree Hawkeye

    There are wearable recoil shoulder pads that go by the brand name P.A.S.T. They can vary in wearer size and purpose of use from magnum rifles shot from a benchrest to hunters shooting for hours using high power 12 gauge loads.

    A good rule of thumb before firing that first round is to make sure you have the weapon properly and firmly mounted in the crook of your shoulder whether you're wearing thick clothing, a PAST pad, or just a T-shirt. Fire a round with even a modest recoiling rifle such as a .243 or 30/30 with a sloppy loose shoulder mount, and it will let you know.:sneaky:

    https://www.ebay.com › b › past-recoil-pad › bn_7024792708

    past recoil pad products for sale | eBay
     
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  11. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    The worst gun I've shot was a H&R single shot 10 guage shooting a goose load. I can honestly say I wish the owner of the gun hadn't cut the barrel down to 28 inches. That could have used a recoil pad rather than the hard rubber butt plate.
     
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  12. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Hey cat daddy, Go to the local range and ask around about renting something to shoot.
    In the long run buy what's popular and handy.
    Ease of ammo like 22lr, 308, 30,06, 7x62x39, 9mm etc.
    You get the picture I hope.
     
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  13. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Baahaahaa same here but a 12 gauge, Dad loaned it out and a year or so later the old boy passed on.
    The dog leg disappeared in his family and I don't miss it.
     
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  14. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    Years ago ,, me and my regular hunting, fishing buddies were going to go Dove hunting ,, one of our other buds wanted to go ,, so I borrowed an old 12 ga double barreled shotgun from my Dad .
    Out in the field,, my bud didn't have much experience in hunting ,, and not a whole in shooting. Anyway ,, we were walking around the field to get to our spot in the field. We walked around a little point in the field ,, and we jumped 2 birds ,, my buddy threw the gun to his shoulder ,, Bam,,blam ,,, the recoil of the 1st shot ,, caused him to pull that second trigger ,,, I can't even remember if he fired any rounds after that ,,, but he was complaining about his shoulder hurting on the way home from the field.
     
  15. kissmybrass

    kissmybrass brass monkey Site Supporter+++

    does not sound like you have picked a gun. i shoot 300 win mag. i have a browning A-bolt and x-bolt. after 20 rounds through the A bolt im done shooting anything for the day. the x bolt has a muzzle brake and i have shot 50 round ladders and could still shoot more. get a gun with a nice muzzle brake. if your not shooting 900lb bears and 1500lb moose a 308 is a excellent choice.
    i considered a p.a.s.t shoulder pad for the A bolt but im going to have the barrel threaded for a brake instead.
    shooting a ladder is shooting 10 5 shot groups with different powder loads to find the most accurate load.
    308 is ubiquitous. lots of great guns/ammo in 308, cheap. get a nice brake and a can and recoil is not a issue.
     
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  16. 4x4

    4x4 Hillary lied and Americans died.

    I have a precision rifle that I installed a limb saver onhttps://limbsaver.com/collections/recoil-pads . It was nearly a night and day difference. On top of that I added a very nice compensator. Besides reducing the felt recoil, it allows me to for the most part stay on target behind glass. You may need to take a look at what you are trying to do with the recoil and rifle then you can make some good informed decisions.
     
  17. Zimmy

    Zimmy Wait, I'm not ready!

    Seawolf1090 likes this.
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