S&W .500 Recoil Pad

[michael30.06]

I know that I'm getting ahead of myself but since I'm stuck waiting on the man from the gov and paper work.
I was wondering how did any of you find the factory recoil pad on your H&R 500?
Should I be considering an aftermarket replacement, in your opinion.
I have my plinking mold on the way from the USA an improved minne ball mold throwing around 350gn pill.
And accurate molds will supply my hunting mold with about 620 gr heavy weight.
Most of the work will be subsonic or at least below 1600.
I know I know see how it shoots and then decide, But I'm stuck with too many questions going through my head cause I can't get to shoot my new toy yet.

[petemi]

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but the most enjoyable shooting I had with my .500 was watching someone else do it.  I was shooting pretty stout loads with heavier bullets and the recoil and muzzle blast was impressive.  I would recommend a Limbsaver or other quality pad.  I sold my .500 because I felt I was getting better performance from my .45-70 and .445 with less trauma and expense.

Pete

[Jason F]

I shot some hot loads in the one i had for a while. You dont need no extra recoil pad.

[petemi]

I shot some hot loads in the one i had for a while. You dont need no extra recoil pad.

Yeah Jason, but you guy's shoot some huge guns with monster loads.  The more feeble of us like a good recoil pad.

Pete

[gcrank1]

I like the factory recoil pad on my two that have 'em (late model versions, soft & thick) and Ive popped a few high steppers from the 45-70 with 500gr. bullets. I think you will find it pretty good. Although you can load that puppy up until you can stand it, you dont need to, just load it to where it works for you.

[twoshooter]

I find my factory pad to work quite well. I never load hot, if I need more power I just move on up in size. You mentioned subsonic, or 1600 fps. In another thread here I posted my load to a gentleman that had a chrony, I do not, and he loaded up some and got terrific results- 1319 fps, with an extermely accurate loan in my gun, with a 440 gr bullet. That load is about like shooting a std 20 ga round. Unless you are trying for artillery class loads, dont worry about it.

[bikerbeans]

My 500 S&W as a low comb PW shotgun stock set with plastic buttplate, no pad.  I am only shooting plain base cast lead over Unique at velocities of less than 1300 fps.  At this level a recoil pad isn't needed.  For the loads you plan on shooting I would think your factory pad should be fine.
 
BB

[michael30.06]

Thanks fellas, that was what I was hoping for.
The hardest recoiling rifle I own is a little WW1 carbine in 8x56R a straight pull bolt Austrain Steyr M95 with the original steel core rounds it's memorable to shoot.
It's about 7.5lbs shooting a 220gn round at about 2500.
Other than that I mostly shoot a Springfield 1903 in original mil spec with the steel butt plate.

[Whiterabbitttttt]

No idea, but my ultralight 12 ga with 3.5" shells was insane, the huntsman recoil was ridiculous, and the 20ga slugs were un-fun.
 
I replaced the oem pad with a limbsaver universal that I cut to size. Now 3.5" shells are ridiculous, huntsman recoil is pleasant, and I havent tried the 20ga yet.

[tykempster]

If you're keeping the velocities low, I don't think you're gonna need a different recoil pad.  The lighter bullets should have almost no recoil, the 620's at 1600 will have some recoil but I don't imagine it being terrible.  620's at 1000 fps would penetrate, be easy on the shoulder, and have no supersonic crack.