Recoil pad?

[PJgunner]

My choice would be the Pachmeyr Decelerator. I have them on some seriously hard kicking rifles and they work quite well. Most noticable is a Ruger M77 converted to the .375/338 Magnum. The entire rifle with scope, sling and a full magazine with one up the spout weighs 7.5 pounds. Recoil is noticable but more than tolerable with the Pachmeyr pad. If recoil really is a problem from the bench, then I recommend the Pachmeyr pad and a Past recoil shield which you strap on your body like a shoulder holster. Probably one of the worst rifles I have right now regarding recoil is my Ruger #1 chambered to the .416 Rigby. Ruger only puts that skimpy piece of rubber on the butt and I've never put a better pad on the gun. It's very uncomfortable without the recoil shield and you still notice it, but at least you can shoot the gun. My .404 Jeffery Ruger #1 came with a (YUCH!) muzzle brake and it's rather pleasant to shoot compared to the Rigby. I do wish the guy I got it from hadn't put that brake on it though. That ruins the somewhat collector value of the rather scarce .404's. I'm not much of a fan of th 7MM Rem. mag. and the only one I have is part of my Ruger #1 collection and rarely gets shot.
Paul B.