Backstop Recoil Pad
Description
Description
For decades, companies have ignored innovation in the recoil pad--the easiest way to instantly improve a shooter's performance by preventing flinch and soaking up vibrations that keep them from spotting impacts through the scope.
Backstop utilizes a patent-pending structure of two layers separated by a solid wall. The top portion soaks up early and late vibrations in the recoil impulse, and the bottom crush zone flattens the peak force.
We saw massive performance improvements by tailoring each pad to the specific recoil level of each rifle. When you order, we do a recoil calculation for you, and craft a pad with just the right bounce and stiffness.
This customized design ensures that the pad minimizes shoulder impact dramatically--giving you a clearer view of your shots and reducing flinch.
A standout feature of the Backstop Pad is its patent-pending "throne" protector. Most companies design pads to be way too stiff so they won't deform when stored butt-down in a gun safe for extended periods. Each Backstop Pad includes a hard-plastic protector you can slip on during long-term storage so your pad retains its bounce, and so we don't have to compromise your pad's design.
How It Works
The Data Speaks for Itself
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6.5 Creedmoor (10.4 ft-lbs)
Our leading competitor's premium recoil pad outperforms most factory pads, but still produces a significant jab in the peak of the recoil. The Backstop looks more like a vibration! Skilled shooters will appreciate less scope jostle to spot impacts through the scope during recoil.
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7 Rem. Mag. (23.2 ft-lbs)
At a level of recoil similar to most 7 Mag rifles (22 ft-lbs), the Backstop provides a much more gradual increase to the peak of recoil. The peak is much lower with the Backstop which slowed the rifle more effectively. There's still a big push on both graphs, but the Backstop is the clear winner.
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.300 PRC Rifle (35.7 ft-lbs)
Note the three graph sets show peak forces approximately at the same height on the graph due to the changed scale to measure each recoil level. The same setting, however, is obviously used between the two pads tested at each recoil level. Here, a 300 PRC's jab is softened to a push.
Behold, the Throne
Included with every Backstop Recoil pad is the patent-pending "throne," a hard plastic protector to keep your recoil pad from losing its bounce during long-term storage.
Other pads lose performance over time like leaving a compressed spring under tension. No need to use the throne for storing the pad for a few days in the cabin while hunting, but if you'll leave your rifle stored butt-down for over a week, slide on the Throne. It's included in your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
You don't make a Backstop for My Rifle.
You don't make a Backstop for My Rifle.
Tell us what make/model of gun you have on this page and we’ll send you an email when we have a model available.
Our goal for 2024 is to make a Backstop Recoil Pad design for every mass-production hunting rifle and stock made in the last 10 years. It’s an ambitious goal, but we think we can get close.
Throughout the year, you’ll see more and more models become available.
It takes our engineer about three full working days to create a new design, and then we have to test it to make sure it’s right. The process is time-consuming, but soon there will be a Backstop for everyone.
Is it really necessary to customize the pad to the recoil of the individual rifle?
Is it really necessary to customize the pad to the recoil of the individual rifle?
This is where we saw the biggest gains in performance.
Most companies don’t want to make different densities because it means more SKUs and more shelf space.
Because we sell direct to consumer with lean manufacturing processes, we can dial it in to your gun.
A pad can’t be too soft or it “bottoms out.” It can’t be too hard or rifle velocity isn’t sufficiently slowed before the peak and momentum builds. As long as a rifle’s recoil is between those extremes, there isn’t too much difference. So when you order, we do a calculation and place your rifle in one of four recoil categories and make a pad matching that density.
Is the difference noticeable?
Is the difference noticeable?
Oh yeah! There’s an obvious difference in the feel of the recoil impulse on your shoulder. If you shoot a lot and know what your rifle’s recoil feels like, you’ll definitely feel it.
However, some of our competitors tout “UP TO 70% recoil reduction.”
By nearly every metric in our testing, the Backstop Pad outperforms the competition, but saying “70% recoil reduction” is misleading in our opinion. It doesn’t FEEL like that to the shooter. I’d estimate it feels more like 35% less on most guns.
However, the feeling on your shoulder isn’t actually the point of the Backstop Pad. We care more about you being able to spot your impacts through the scope, and for that, it’s a game-changer.
I should also note that we tested pads in as light of guns as 243 Winchester. We frankly didn’t think we’d see much difference because the recoil impulse is light, but we actually made significant improvements in the ability to see through the scope and spot impacts during recoil even in light recoiling guns.
Is this made in China?
Is this made in China?
No, but full disclosure, we often get Chinese takeout while making your Backstop Pad.
Backstop Pads are made in our tiny little office in St. George, Utah. We do 100% of the process in-house. My teenage son is the one who glues the pad to the carbon-fiber plate for you.
Is it durable?
Is it durable?
We’re hunters, so believe me when I say we EXTENSIVELY tested durability.
Jim jabbed our prototypes with forks hundreds of times to make sure it wouldn’t show wear easily. He left it out in the hot summer sun for 3 months to see how it would stand up to the elements. We tested it in sub-zero temperatures, left it in a hot car, drove a car over it, stored it for months, etc.
It’ll hold up to whatever you throw at it… unless the thing you happen to be throwing is a grenade. We haven’t tested that.
This is too expensive
This is too expensive
We get it. While Backstop certainly isn’t the most expensive on the market, it is still a premium product, and we think it provides the best performance.
We can make it cheaper, but we’d have to compromise performance. Each pad we make requires over 5 hours of machine time, and we use exotic materials like carbon fiber composite plates and high-performance materials.
If Backstop is too expensive for you right now, we get it! We still want you to have a good pad, so we recommend Limbsaver as an alternative. Our computerized testing of pads from the competition shows it’s the second best recoil pad out there. It’s no Backstop, but it’s better than most factory pads.
