How about the aftermarket recoil pads, how much difference do they make?
They make a lot of difference because the Tikka factory pad is very hard!
The LimbSaver pad tames quick kickers better than any brand I know. I have a Tikka in 300 WSM with a Limbsaver pad, and I can shoot 40 rounds in a tee shirt from the bench without getting my shoulder very sore.
I wouldn't want a Tikka in a 300 Win mag., to me they just cross the line of my tolerance.
The downside to the Limbsaver is they get sticky if you get copper solvent on them, so be careful when cleaning your rifle to not touch the pads.
