I agree with strapher 100% on this one. Stock design is a major factor in my rifles. As a preference I prefer a straight stock to a monte carlo stock that has severe drop in the comb design. I'd rather have a punch to the shoulder than a bucking recoil that bucks up into your face and then punches you. There are some straight stocks that will rock your world. Especially like a remington 700 adl synthetic try shooting one of those with a 300 win mag or larger. That's felt recoil for sure. Even weight of the rifle doesn't seem to tame felt recoil in some rifles.