It seems most people don't understand recoil. The pad absorbs the initial action of the bullet and powder accelerating. Then the break dissipates the rocket action of the burning powder.
Ben, That reminds me of my "memories" with my first .375 H&H. After the rifle purchase, with no money left, I used a $39.00 Bushnell for my initial load development. Between the near nothing eye relief, and my shooting very relaxed, that happened when shooting....every time, several times. It was several months before I could get a Leupold. There is a bright side to this is, I learned it only hurts the first 1 or 2 times during the shooting session ....the rest don't hurt nearly as much! The only drawback.....anticipating those first hits coming at the next session! memtb
I feel your pain. Still have a scar from before I put a pad on mine. Lucky for me it's in my eyebrow.I guess flip up scope covers can be a recoil pad--- for your face!
my 45-100 has 41.35lbs and love shooting it!!! after 75-100 rounds tho my neck starts to feel a lil stiff.....last fall did a shoot 128 rounds in 2 days, I was sore!!
As to scope kiss, I train youngsters and women and show them right away, that even the strongest man can get bit. Securing the rifle correctly is just one of the things that you do consistently for every shot. More and more I'm finding that the consistency needed for archery, applies exactly the same for shooting.
That, and not shooting on makeshift rest after dark with a flashlight!
A whole bunch of shotgunners have discovered better scores with "sub" loads. Some as light as 7/8 oz. in a backbored barrel and these guys shoot thousands of rounds yearly.
I agree that a good pad and brake are great- but I personally hate the ear shattering crack of a brake. And your hunting buddies will notice as well.
Your brain catalogs more than you're aware of. I'm amazed at the ease of repeating crossing shots without obvious thought-- but that gray matter is cataloging the abuse as well. One poster made the comment that recoil is cumulative and he's precisely right.
By the bye if you're plagued by a flinch you can effectively reprogram your brain with a tin or two of pellets through a scoped pellet rifle. You get everything but the kick and your brain remembers that too.