I have been installing large Limbsaver grind to fit pads on my rifles and not grinding them.
The pad is then larger than the butt of the stock leaving a reveal.
I cover the reveal with an Eagle Industries Shooter's stock pack, which is a combination cheek rest, ammo pouch, and ammo belt.
The way I like to look at felt recoil reduction is to spread the recoil over time and area. The goal is to never exceed the ~ 100 pounds per square inch on skin that is the threshold of pain.
a) That recoil pad is soft and conforms to the shape of the shoulder, to uniformly apply the force over area.
b) It is wide and tall to spread over area.
c) The recoil pad compresses, spreading the recoil over time.
d) The material is lossy, heating up instead of storing up energy when it is compressed.
With this system, the hot and heavy 300 Win Mag kicks like 12 ga trap loads.
I would be willing to bet money that this is a more weight effective way to reduce recoil over a dead mule.