I'm 5'11" 235lbs and I'm telling you that Ruger MKII beat the snot out of me. Only gun I ever shot that did that to me and that includes 3 1/2 12ga slugs. Had to be the horrible stock design.

I had the same exact rifle in SS with what Ruger called the ultra light stock. OUCH! man did that thing kick. I would literally fell sick and dizzy after about 4 shots at the range. I did what you did, Boyds lam. thumb hole stock, Answer brake and a Sims pad. It now shoots like a 270 or less. I use that gun for everything it shoots so nice. I also had the barell lapped, bolt face done and the trigger.

You are correct bro. I have shot many different big bores and that damn stock design resonated the recoil into your arm. My hand actually would go numb on a few occations from the way it twanged after a shot. Not to mention the butt of the stock was like a knife blade! It had zero recoil pad on it