you can get one of those leather tie on 'pads', they ain't really a recoil pad they just kinda fill in the curved part, but you notice the difference in recoil for sure.
Lynn.
you know you ain't gotta shoot 500gr. bullets at 2-K fps.
a 400 at 1300 will go way out there no problem, and there ain't much walking around that's gonna stop that combo.
I shoot a 425 in my 86 with the steel plate, and even up near 1600 it isn't too bad, 1400 would be down right pleasant and I wouldn't hesitate to shoot an Elk with either speed out to my comfort level of open sights ranges.