On Target

The Gracoil series of compression butt plates have traditionally been used in the shotgun arena, especially among competition shooters. However, it is a very effective option for rifle shooters as well. There is now a Gracoil model made specifically for rifles that has a slightly smaller profile than the standard shotgun model in order to easily fit the smaller stock dimensions of the average rifle. The rifle model is designed for heavy recoiling rifles and, therefore, has heavier springs to absorb up to twice the recoil force of the standard shotgun model. Both the shotgun and rifle models can be easily adjusted to fine tune the spring compression to your gun and load within their designed range. Since the rifle model is made for heavier recoil, it is recommended that the shotgun model be used for rifles with recoil equal to or less than a .30-06, and that the rifle model be used for anything with recoil heavier than a .30-06. The Gracoil operation is smooth as silk with all moving surfaces being Teflon coated stainless steel. Upon recoil, it compresses 5/16 of an inch reducing recoil dramatically, yet the movement of the stock against the shooter's cheek is short enough to not be distracting. It works great in combination with a Kick Eez recoil pad to turn a brutal kicking magnum into a rifle that is fun and easy to shoot. The rifle model also offers the same vertical, horizontal and cant adjustments of the shotgun models giving you added flexibility. Installation is similar to that of the shotgun model with a few holes being drilled in the stock and the oversized plates of the Gracoil being ground down to match the stock along with a grind-to-fit pad to go with it. The system adds one inch to the length of pull, so the stock would need to be shortened by an inch to keep the length of pull the same. Recoil pads ranging in thickness from 1/2 inch to 1 3/8 inch can be selected to be added to the Gracoil butt plate.