A decellerator recoil pad is a big improvement over the factory pad.

stubblejumper is right about that. That is the other thing I did to the stock. World of difference.

yeah i would try a new recoil pad first but if you really need the muzzel brake bring it to a gun smith. if its not done perfect you will own a very unaccurate gun when your done.

I would suggest trading for a smaller caliber before I'd put a muzzle brake on the rifle. A 30-06 doesn't kick enough to justify a muzzle brake under any condition that I can see. To set the record straight I HATE muzzle brakes, the blast they generate is unreal and it will cause a flinch long before any recoil the rifle might develop. Muzzle brakes are like using duct tape to hold the fender on your car, they cause more problems than they fix.