I shot 100 sporting clays yesterday with my 20 gauge Montefeltro Super 90 using 7/8 oz of 7.5 shot, Winchester (1200 fps) target loads. With the 24" bbl the scattergun weighs 5.75 lbs. I was NOT sore at all in either my shoulder or cheek. The wood stocked gun has the original recoil pad installed. I don't know what # the shim is between the buttstock/reciever but when mounting, the beads line up perfectly. Here is my question. Is the lack of felt recoil because of proper gun fit or ??? When I used to shoot trap using 1 1/8 oz loads out of a 9 lb Perazzi TMX my shoulder would feel it.

Fit matters. I get the same results with my 12ga Montefeltro & my Rizzini. The Rizzini leaves my shoulder bruised after 50 rounds and even slaps my cheekbone pretty good. My Benelli doesn’t hurt me even after 100 rounds. My shooting scores reflect the difference too; I start out hitting most and the longer I shoot the more I miss, and I’m not generally recoil sensitive. I stay consistent with the Montefeltro.

FELT recoil is subjective and due to fit; actual is related to weight of the gun, weight and velocity of the ejecta.

A very accurate and concise definition!

A week prior to using the 20 g Benelli, I shot 100 Sporting targets (same course) using a 6.25 lb, 28 gauge Rizzini with new Win AA, 3/4 oz, 7.5 shot & my shoulder was sore right afterwards. Maybe that gun doesn't fit as well.