Craig,
I have a 9.3 x 62 custom in a 1B. It has a serious after market recoil pad and I am glad of it every round I send down range. The recoil is not punishing but it is lively enough -- much more so than my similarly set up #1S custom in .35 Whelen -- to make me forego the pleasure of shooting a much lighter 1A with the factory issue wafer.
It all depends on your level of recoil tolerance of course. You will not be shooting it a lot fro the bench after sighting in anyway. I have had shoulder surgery and the .375 H&H with a serious pad is all of that fun I want.
1B
