Bergara HMR 308 - Better Cushion for the Pushin

[16denarius]

So I put about 50 rounds through my new 20" B-14 in an afternoon, and while I'm not battered and bruised, it's not quite as comfy as I'd like. I'm a pretty new shooter, and my goal for this rifle is to shoot the snot out of it and get better. To some (reasonable) extent, barrel life be damned.

Can anyone recommend a good replacement for the factory pad? Bonus points if it looks a little snazzier than a Limbsaver Classic, but I'd be perfectly happy with the right footprint model. In most positions, I only use the top 1/2 -1/3 of the butt pad.

 

[Jibles]

I started shooting precision last fall with a .308 with a bare muzzle. My shoulder got a little beat up the first few range sessions due to improper form. Just working on my form reduced felt recoil substantially. I'm not saying you're doing anything wrong but it's something look at. I was shooting good, repeatable groups but was pretty sore after 50-60 rounds. After focusing on getting behind the gun the right way, my groups continued to be tight and I no longer had any discomfort.

 

[rangerlong]

A good muzzle brake would help. The Area 419 Hellfire tamed my 7mm rem mag very nicely.

 

[b6graham]

A good muzzle brake would help. The Area 419 Hellfire tamed my 7mm rem mag very nicely.

this. hellfire. heathen. pva jetblast (even have an ultralight now on sale)

 

[16denarius]

Appreciate the replies, guys. Think I'm gonna hold off on a brake for the time being. For one, quarters are often close-ish at my favorite range, and gas-blasting my neighbors isn't gonna make me any friends. For another, I'm in CA, and have to be wary about the "flash hider" BS.

Putting a limbsaver on my Model 70 featherweight tamed it to perfection for me, and that's all I'm really looking for.

 

[spife7980]

A limbsaver is the easy answer again but how bad is that recoil pad it comes with. Look slike it would be alright.

And isnt the flash hider crap for semi autos? I thought cali bolts could have whatever muzzle device they wanted short of a silencer?

 

[Steel head]

Appreciate the replies, guys. Think I'm gonna hold off on a brake for the time being. For one, quarters are often close-ish at my favorite range, and gas-blasting my neighbors isn't gonna make me any friends

Culpepper loves getting gas blasted in the face.


Just sayin.

Get the brake,,,,he’ll thank you.

 

[16denarius]

A limbsaver is the easy answer again but how bad is that recoil pad it comes with. Look slike it would be alright.

And isnt the flash hider crap for semi autos? I thought cali bolts could have whatever muzzle device they wanted short of a silencer?

The factory pad is basically an inch of solid rubber, no air pockets or bellows. It could have been 1/2" thick and given about the same relief. It's nice if you want to bounce the rifle off some concrete, but not so useful against a squishy human. Pretty sure a better pad is one of the upgrades you get if you buy the HMR Pro for $400 more.

I think you might be right on the flash hider for bolt guns, but not really interested in messing with it. If all I ever planned on owning was bolt guns, I probably wouldn't worry.

 

[16denarius]

Ended up going with a Limbsaver Classic #10018, we'll see how it fits.

 

[16denarius]

Since a few folks asked how this worked out: Yes, the #10018 size is near perfect to the butt/spacers on my HMR. The top hole in the limbsaver had to be modified just a bit. The hole you need is about 3/16- 1/4" below the factory one. Nice and comfy.

Side note: first thing about the HMR I've noticed feeling "cheap"... Really guys, wood screws?

 

[metroplex]

My HMR Pro 300WM LOP spacers and stock recoil pad seem to match the Limbsaver Airtech 10808 the best. I run an Airtech on my Browning A-Bolt 3 in 300WM, as well as Benelli M2 12gauge and the airtech definitely helps a bit. The 300WM recoil is a much faster and sharper/harder push though than the 12 gauge. The Airtech itself wasn't much help on the A-Bolt 3, I had to install a brake and eventually find the right suppressor. 308 shouldn't be as much of a problem.