Believe me many people started off wrong. Heck, it's still prevalent today. I saw just last year a father telling his teenage son to practice with his deer rifle without hearing protection because in his mind you needed to practice like you hunt, which in his case is without any hearing protection.

With the advent of the limbsaver pad I see no reason why anyone would need to shoot a thumper. I've tamed down some real buggers with the turn of a screwdriver to install a pad. I reallybelieve in those limbsavers. I had a friend who just recently put one on a 375 HH and his comment was that itnowkickedless than his 270.

OBTW I see many of the 270 fans talk about it being a light recoil round. Let me tell you, one of the worst kickers I've shot was a rem 700 withno pad in 270 (ownedby my father). That sob will flat cross your eyes. Light rifle + no pad= hard thump. I'd rather shoot my 338 win w/ sims pad than his 270. I've also seen quite a few older 30-06's that would put the whammy to ya.Just my two cents.