Shoulder recoil pads are, in fact, small pads that you place upon your shoulder. The purpose of these pads is to provide additional comfort while shooting a rifle. Several different kinds of shoulder recoil pads are available on the market, and choosing the right one can be a little challenging, given the many different options. The fact that they are used for the same purpose makes them all quite similar, but when it comes to comfort and protection, there are major differences between models. You should always choose the most comfortable and provides good protection to ensure you get the best experience while shooting your rifle.
Here are the best recoil pads for rifles on the market.
Editor’s Pick-Recoil Pads for Rifles
Best Recoil Pads for Rifles Reviews In 202
1. KEEPER MG Recoil Pad for Shotgun
Our gel-filled recoil pads help buffer the recoil & keep your shoulder comfortable for a long day of shooting. High-quality pads maintain the stability of the muzzle for quick retargeting & increased accuracy of follow-up shots. Skeet shooting & hunting has never been less painful & more precise.
Slip-On
No grinding, drilling or measuring is needed. Slip the pad over any rifle or shotgun stock, and you will be ready to shoot in no time.
High-Quality Material
HQ visco-elastic absorption gel dissipates recoil vibrations, and double-stitching makes the pad tear-resistant. An anti-slip surface prevents the rifle from moving and causing injuries and works great even in the harshest weather conditions.
Perfect Fit for Most Models
Slip-on without modification. Thanks to 4-way stretch neoprene, the pad is a perfect fit for any rifle or shotgun stock.
2. Pachmayr Decelerator Slip On Recoil Pad
Combining the advanced recoil control of the popular Decelerator internal design and material with Pachmayr’s patented insert, this great-looking slip-on recoil pad is unmatched by any other hunting pad!
The material and design of the recoil pad make installation easier than ever. Comes in black or brown and in sizes small, medium, and large. Experience the reduced felt recoil with the Decelerator Magnum Slip-On Recoil Pads!
Designed to Fit
No Gunsmithing required! Pachmayr’s Decelerator recoil pads provide the ultimate in recoil control and appearance, and now you can install them on all your long guns. Designed to fit within .050 inch tolerance on factory stocks, these pads will enhance the look and feel of the gun, improve your shooting experience, and maybe help you bag more games. Easy “Do-It-Yourself” installation – Replaces hard factory pads – Custom “pre-ground” fit Size Large fits: Stock dimensions of 1-3/4″ to 1-7/8″ wide x 5-3/16″ to 5-7/16″ long, or will fit the following: Beretta: 686, 687 Field models, 302, 303 Semi-Auto Browning: Citori with English Stock.
First Choice of Shooters
Pachmayr is the first choice of shooters, gunsmiths, law enforcement professionals and firearm manufacturers for top-quality handgun grips, recoil pads and firearm accessories. Pachmayr products possess an unequalled combination of superior materials and advanced engineering, evident in our full line of high-performance products. From handgun grip panels and grip enhancers to our proprietary Decelerator recoil-reducing material, trust Pachmayr for your tactile grips and gun accessories.
3. Caldwell Ambidextrous Shooting Recoil Shields
Caldwell is a brand engineered for perfection for the marksman to take your shot to the next level. Whether you’re shooting competitively or recreationally, we aim to make you the best. With quality products developed to provide unmatched precision, you will be confident to take the shot when it matters most.
The PAST product line is based on a foam material that dramatically reduces the felt recoil of rifles, shotguns, and handguns. This foam pad, worn over the shoulder, absorbs and spreads the recoil impulse, significantly reducing the recoil felt by the shooter. Other styles of recoil protection tend to bounce into your shoulder, which can create an unstable feeling while offering inadequate protection. The PAST recoil protection system allows a shooter to concentrate on hitting the target instead of fearing the punishment of recoil. Concentration helps to create good shooting habits and, more importantly, prevents developing bad ones.
Shooting Rests
With various Lead Sleds and shooting rests, Caldwell heightens accuracy and builds confidence on the range.
Interactive Targets
From classic Orange Peel paper targets to rifle-rated AR500 steel, Caldwell offers a variety of targets to ensure your trigger time is a success.
Hearing Protection
Caldwell E-MAX hearing protection delivers high-quality electronic ear protection designed for all day comfort.
4. LimbSaver Airtech Slip-On Recoil Pad
Reduce felt recoil by up to 70 percent with the LimbSaver AirTech Slip-On Recoil Pad, which features advanced atmospheric chambers that substantially increase performance through uniform energy dissipation. Incorporating anti-muzzle jump technology for faster target re-acquisition, the AirTech Recoil Pad also helps increase accuracy of follow-up shots and you’ll enjoy increased control for maximum stability.
Slip-On
Designed for maximum compatibility and ease of use. LimbSaver’s slip-on recoil pads come in two models classic and Airtech for optimal recoil reduction.
Precision-Fit
Designed to fit many firearm popular models specifically. Easy to install all that’s required is a screwdriver
Grind-to-Fit
Fully customizable, these recoil pads can be tailored to fit your stock using a belt grinder perfectly
5. LimbSaver Snap-On Recoil Pad for 6-Position
Reduce felt recoil by up to 60 per cent with the LimbSaver Snap-On Recoil Pad for 6-position Adjustable Stocks. This recoil pad also helps you control muzzle jump for faster target re-acquisition — improving the accuracy of follow-up shots to tighten groups and ensuring maximum stability.
Fits most 6-position mil-spec tactical stocks, approximately 5.14″ x 1.84″. Stock must have a 1/4” step-down for the pad to snap on. This pad is NOT designed to work with Magpul or other stocks without a 1/4″ step-down.
Slip-On
Designed for maximum compatibility and ease of use. LimbSaver’s slip-on recoil pads come in two models — classic and Airtech for optimal recoil reduction.
Precision-Fit
Designed to fit many firearm popular models specifically. Easy to install — all that’s required is a screwdriver.
Grind-to-Fit
Fully customizable, these recoil pads can be tailored to fit your stock using a belt grinder perfectly.
How To Choose The Best Recoil Pads For Rifles
With shoulder recoil padding, a fantastic approach to lessen the strain of shooting on your shoulder. They’re a great option for anyone who shoots guns with many recoils because they can assist balance the force coming from both directions. The ideal cushion will protect you without impairing your mobility or accuracy.
Devices called shoulder recoil pads are designed to shield your shoulder from gunfire. They can be used by both right-handed and left-handed shooters and are commonly shaped like a kidney or rectangle.
Utilizing a shoulder recoil pad helps lessen the discomfort associated with gunshot wounds by directing part of the stress to the padding. Additionally, a shoulder recoil pad will ease pressure and annoyance brought on by shooting a gun if you already have an injury to your shoulder from something else.
Using one might not be advisable if you’re shooting a “high recoil” or “strong” firearm because doing so could worsen any existing injuries. Using one should aid lessen your shoulder’s soreness and discomfort if you’re going to be shooting a gun with a smaller caliber, like a.22 or.38.
Some individuals believe that all recoil pads will make life more difficult by obscuring their field of vision or making it too challenging to reach the trigger; however, this is untrue. Today’s market offers a wide variety of shoulder recoil pads that are appropriate for any shooter. Now you can only make a decision! Here are some recommendations for choosing a good pad:
Material
Although other materials can be used to create these pads, including cork, rubber, and foam-rubber composites like neoprene, plastic is the most widely used. Plastic provides a thin, flexible pad that, when in use, can bend with your shoulder.
Size
For optimum efficiency, the recoil pad should be the appropriate size for the type of rifle you own. You should get a smaller recoil pad made for small-caliber hunting weapons like the.17 or.22 if you own one of those. The same is true for rifles that shoot.30-.35 caliber rounds; it is advised that you get a larger recoil pad made for these larger rifles.
Weight
You might think about getting a light recoil cushion if you can’t hold or carry your rifle for a long time. It can be difficult to hold your gun up using light materials like plastic if you use your shoulder to support your weapon. It is advised that you buy a sturdy recoil pad so you won’t have any trouble using it while holding it up.
Shape
When choosing the ideal shoulder recoil pad for you, it can also be crucial to consider the shape of the pad. Some people find it challenging to properly hold their rifles up when using straight pads, which are flat rectangles that produce a straight line along your shoulder.
You can hold your rifle more securely while shooting with curved or contoured pads because they are curved or formed to fit the natural curve.
Hand Width
The amount of padding on the recoil pad determines the grip width. For the best comfort and efficacy, this padding should be as wide as the grip on your rifle. A wider grip necessitates a larger shaped recoil pad, whilst a narrow grip calls for a narrower shaped pad.
Price
When purchasing a shoulder recoil pad for yourself, the cost should be a key issue to take into account. Although there are numerous brands and types to choose from, not all of them share the same qualities, which affects how much you will pay for them. Regardless of the price, you should consider other aspects like brand and quality before buying a recoil pad.
Species of Rifle
Bolt-action rifles don’t kick as strongly as other firearms do, so if you have one you’ll require a small, compact recoil pad like those used on shotgun-style rifles.
Retracting shoulder pad
Caliber
What caliber rifle you’ll be using is another consideration when selecting the ideal recoil pad. You can use a heavier pad if your rifle fires a smaller caliber (.22), as it won’t matter as much as if it were firing a higher caliber (.30).
Usage
The frequency of your rifle shooting plans is last but not least. You can decide to use the same recoil pad that came with your rifle if you just shoot a few rounds on the weekends. If not, upgrading is usually a good idea!
Frequently Asked Question
Do rifle recoil pads work?
Do Recoil Pads Work? Recoil will NEVER be eliminated, but it can be easily managed to seem like it has. So, yes, they work as long as the recoil pad is properly made. No matter what firearm platform you choose to shoot, there is one ever-present factor that plagues them all.
What does a recoil pad do?
A recoil pad protects a shooter from pain and damage when a gun goes off and kicks back. But, these pads also keep the shooter from fouling up a second shot which is usually the winning shot in most cases.
Does muzzle brake reduce recoil?
In fact, muzzle brakes can reduce recoil by almost 50 per cent. That is incredibly helpful — especially for people who are shooting a gun with a shoulder or other recoil injury. Most are vented in a way to push the gas through the sides. When the gun is fired, it will direct propellant exhaust gases through the muzzle.
Conclusion
Recoil pads offer archers many advantages when all is said and done. You won’t have to deal with bruising or soreness any longer, which can be a huge relief as you continue to practice your form and aim. It also keeps you from worrying about a sudden cease of practice due to pain or discomfort. Simply put, investing in one of the best recoil pads can help extend your archery session time while encouraging you to make even more improvements.