Mercury filled reducer or just add weight?

[JimG]

Looking to reduce the recoil of my Ultra Slug 20 gauge a bit. It has the laminated thumbhole stock with the Pacmyer recoil pad. I was thinking about carefully boring a hole in the rear of the thumbhole stock under the pad and either installing a mercury filled reducer or simply filling the hole with lead shot and some epoxy. What say all of you? Is the high cost of the mercury filled aparatuses worth it?

[quickdtoo]

MRRs aren't that expensive if you know where to look, but whether you'll be able to tell the difference between just lead and the MRR is debatable. 

Tim

http://mpcsports.com/candhmercuryrecoilreducers.aspx

[JimG]

WOW! That's not bad at all. I was looking at them in the Brownells and Midway catalogs and they are twice as much. But I'm still wondering if say 12-14 oz of lead/epoxy would be the same as a 8 oz mercury recoil reducer? I've got the Brownells AccraGlas and lead on hand so I guess it's free.

[teamnelson]

I've got a stevens single 12ga with the lead & epoxy solution in the stock, then a slip over recoil pad. Before my Dad passed away firing the big gun was painful. It points funny, but it does help alot with the recoil. The only difference I could see between the options you described is the additional 6oz of weight on the back (14-8). How long is your barrel?

And once you put lead & epoxy in the buttstock, its not easily reversed should you change your mind later.

[quickdtoo]

Either can be added without being permanently affixed, just use the butt pad to trap the weight in place, I use leather washers to keep the MRR or lead filled pipe in place, works fine and can be removed when you like. Lots of tips in the FAQs for adding weight, some like lead shot.

Tim

[gcrank1]

I researched comments online (for what they are worth) and decided that unless a MRR comes my way very cheaply that I would try the weight (the price is right). I used buckshot in the std stockbolt hole (unlike yours which will be more trouble regardless). The way it threw the balance and handling off and didnt reduce felt recoil enough for me, though it may for you, meant I didnt continue use.
What is working is another 'slip-over' recoil pad on my recoil pad equiped stock. For me, the extra 1"ish length of pull is not objectionable and easy enough to try. If you like it ,but its too long, you can shorten the stock as a last resort.
The other way to reduce recoil in a meaningful way is to use reduced weight projectiles and/or reduced velocity loads. They are available and the physics of E+MC sq./equal & opposite reaction will again prove true.

[WNY_Whitetailer]

Try this website too...

http://mercuryrecoil.com/

I ordered a mercury recoil reducer from them and they custom cut it fit my stock bolt hole.  I don't remember the exact price but it was not substantial.  Of course, lead shot and epoxy would be cheaper but I change out my stocks when I go from deer gun to turkey gun so that is not an option for me.

[JimG]

Thanks!

[bilmac]

Another way to tame a kicker a bit is to take a hard grip with the hand on the forearm. Not to try to hold the gun away from you, that would probably make you a pretty poor shot, but just to keep your hand in place on the forearm and increase the weight of the gun. Works for me when I think to do it.