Is there any hope for the rubber recoil pads that over the last 9 or so decades have gotten at least as hard as the wood stocks they are attached to ? Is suffering or replacement the only option or is there a polymer or some goop that will reintroduce flexibility? thanks

I doubt the existence of the goop solution, but ya could buy a strap-on-to your-shoulder recoil pad.

Just have a decent gunsmith replace em'. It ain't rocket science!

The rifle is a pre 64 Winchester model 70. I want to leave it factory original

There are replacement pads just like the factory used available.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

If the rifle is a collectible and is treated that way (not shot or hunted with, kept as an investment so as to increase it's value w/age),,then leave the old fossilized but ORIGINAL pad right where it is. It will, dispite it's granite like properties pay dividends when it come time to sell the rifle.

A replacement is a replacement. Investors in collectibles want originality.
Replacing a pad no matter if it's a repro that's 'just like the original' is just a reblue job 'that's just like the original.

Now if the rifle is a user and a shooter and a nice one at that. You hunt with it, target shoot and carry it carefully and just generally like the thing and have no real thoughts of staking your retirement on the value of it in ten years down the road,,,,then do yourself and you shoulder a favor and have old pad replaced.

I would recommend one of the repro pads that matches the original that's on the gun. It will better hold the value of the rifle than an aftermarket wizbang 'nokick special' and it will suit you just as well as the original did for the time you have owned it.
A pre-64 deserves at least that much...

JMO

If you plan on using the rifle replace the old one with a new one of your choosing, but put the old one in a safe location. That way should you ever take leave of your senses, or life happens (heaven forbid ), and you have to sell it you can just put it back on, or include it in the sale.

__________________
Randy

There are lots of pre-64's out there. Some in horrible condition too. I'd install a new pad if it was mine. What caliber is it? You can get an original steel/plastic butt plate and install that.

Although the rifle is in great shape it is nothing special in caliber or model. A 30-06 , standard model. Not 257 Roberts, 264 or 300 H&H, Featherweight ect. I am afraid if I take the old recoil pad off I will destroy it. I don't hunt with it, and last week was the first time I took to the range in years. It came to me indirectly via a World War 1 great uncle, so it is one of those valuable guns I almost never use.