Stock design

[Silverado]

I always hear riflemen talk about how stock design makes a big difference in felt recoil (a-la the .338 recoil thread) but no-one seems to elaborate, so now's the time for all you experienced and wise rifle shooters to sound off.

What specific aspects of stock design make for less felt recoil? :gun4:

[Lawdog]

Silverado,

First and foremost make sure the stock is wide enough across at the butt so that recoil is spread across the widest possible area.  To me the grip that is to thin will let you feel more recoil too.  The foregrip needs to be thick enough so you can easily grip it.  A foregrip that is to thin or to thick is hard to hang on to thus letting the rifle move rearward easily.  Good checkering lets you hang onto the rifle without being abrasive.  My design preference is a European Classic design but the Weatherby Monte Carlo stock is designed to help the shooter handle the recoil the Weatherby cartridges develop.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

[Jim M]

I have a 338 on a Winchester Model 70, Monte Carlo and the recoil isn't too bad.  I have a model 88 308 with a classic stock that kicks like a mule. I think the monte carlo helps.

[Dave in WV]

If you want to lessen felt recoil you could get a good recoil pad installed and have the length of pull set for you. If the comb height is too low and you are getting "cheek slap" use an after market comb cheek piece of comb kit that will raise the comb height. There are strap on cheek pads that you can remove easily.

[gunnut69]

I would also suggest the stock should fit the shooter, as to length of pull, pitch, and perhaps castoff..(caston ?)..  Nest to that the size of the butt plate, width and height...  bigger is better..  Don't use too soft a pad as the very soft padscan pinch when used on very heavy kickers..  The drop at the comb and heel of the stock and the thickness of the comb... all affect the felt recoil which is what we're all really concerned with..  The grip circumference and reach also can afffect the pain inflicted with a heavy hitter..  a well shaped forearm and grip(I prefer the Wundheimer swell) and good checkering, not too fine, will allow some of the recoil to be absorbed by the arms..  Also a very overlooked aspect is the proper weight.  A featherweight mountain rifle in 300 Weatherby is going to crreate a recoil problem regardless of how well it fits..  The last thing I might add is barrel length.. For the hard kicking rifles a longer barrel put the blast a bit further away and the noise of firing adds to the 'perceived recoil' sensation.  I also would suggest that a 'classic' style of stock is a bit more painful than a monte carlo stock might be but this may simply be the factories simplistic approach to stock design..  still a clasic style stock is more sensitive to design faults in the recoil aspect than most montecarlo designs.