Shoulder padding for absorbing rifle recoil

Any position you shoot from will have an effect on your body, the more you resist the greater the effect on your body.
a hammer striking versis the same area pushing with the same energy are very different in the over all effect.
I find that foam rubber absorbs energy well while more durable rubber products may last longer they don't have same shock absorption.
So the choice is mometary comfort or endurance. Over time both materials break down with age.

 

When I first started shooting, thinking a Winchester 30-30 with stock steel butt plate actually had some serious recoil. That is before realizing I had no idea of how to properly hold the rifle.

 

The style of the rifle makes a difference too. My Savage .30-30 bolt-action has less felt recoil than my .30-30 Marlin 336 lever rifle. The bolt rifle's stock is more of a "straightline" design.