Thread: Wood vs Synthetic Stock - Felt Recoil

The only relevant bit to the question really is that a heavier stock of the same design will reduce recoil. (Regardless of the material its made of.) Thats why people put lead weights into big elephant guns and suchlike.

A lot about felt recoil is in the mind. For example people often think they are getting kicked hard if the rifle jumps around a lot when its fired. So they place their off hand on top of the scope or on the foreend and think they are getting less of it. A lot of it is stance - sitting up straight at the bench with the rifle higher allows the body to move with the recoil - take the same rifle and shoot it prone, and you will feel like you got a straight right from Tyson. A louder rifle will often make people think they are being kicked to death. They cringe at the noise and think they are being hit harder.
For heavy kickers I will make a standing bench. You stand up and shoot with the same rests as when you are sitting at a bench - this help enormously with recoil. (Not my idea - thats what they used to do at English gumakers in the old days when they were regulating big double rifles. (Nowadays they use lead sleds))