A few things I've learned about shooting these big 12's.........if you can, let someone else who claims they like the abuse to do it for you! I had shoulder surgery a couple winters ago, so I had to do a few things to help me get through the process.

1. I shoot sitting on a bench......off of sandbags...but I make sure the seat is low enough so that when I pull the gun to my shoulder, my back is straight up and down, and I'm not leaning forward. I keep my back muscles relaxed, so when the gun recoils, I just get pushed backwards, not jolted. You want to let the gun push you, don't fight it. I hold the gun snug, and absolutely make sure my cheek is planted on the stock, you don't want a gap, that will let the gun get a good run at cracking your cheek. You will get a knot on you cheek. If it's hitting you, you're either shooting with bad form, or the gun just doens't fit you.

2. The sims pads do help, but I go a step further. I place a shot bag filled with a decent amount of sand(not completely full) instead of shot, on my shoulder. That bag absorbs a ton of the kick, and it doens't mess up my aiming point. I shoot with a 1-4x Leupold scope, and this set up works perfect. I can make it through 30 or 40 rounds a day before I have to surrender for the day.