When I shoot a Magnum rifle, my groups start out pretty, however after six or eight shots, my groups go downhill in a hurry. I can shoot groups half the size with my 7mm-08 that I can with my 35 Whelen or 7mm-mag. Even though people don't realize or won't admit it, the pounding will work on your mind. These days, if I don't have to have the extra blast and recoil pain and bullet speed, I don't mess with it.

Sand bags is how I shoot for group size but if I had to beat myself to death with a big hard kicking rifle, I would use a lead sled or at the least, The Shooters Friend Recoil Pad from Cabelas. Best pad on this planet for range use. Ugly but SOFT. I like to think that over the years I have gotten smarter than a chunk of hardwood.