The threshold is right at 15 lbs. Once your over 15lbs of recoil it's all gravy. Your gonna feel it to some degree. Under 15 lbs you should be able to shoot it all day without a pad. So what if your gun shoots at 17lbs (.270) or at 20 lbs (30-06). Those three lbs should not make a huge diff. If your getting a "deer" rifle I would suggest a 25-06 (14lbs) or 7mm-08 (13lbs). Also, if you don't own one you should seriously think about getting a 30-30 (12lbs). I'm just throwing that one out there for s*&#'s and giggles. It's just a fun gun to shoot. And it will flat out do a number on a deer. It's great to hunt with too.No scope justiron. See all of the deer and it's surroundings as you pull the trigger.I personally wouldn't own more than one of the three 30-06, .308, or .270 just because all three are extremely close matches. Each one with a proper load can do the job of the others. So to get a .308 ora .270 when you own a 30-06 is kinda redundent in my opinion. But that's just me.