Howdy Ray,

I would agree with your analysis when normal recoil pads are be compared.

In this instance however, I think the 990, and its extreme rate of collapse under recoil, actually gives the effect of shortening the stock.

Using a firm pad with the same LOP does not result in trigger guard trauma. I've been shooting the rifle rwith the new pad regularly since my original post and I've had no troubles.

That 'running start' you have elaborated upon numerous times is obviously the culprit. By the time solid contact is realised with the stock under recoil with the soft pad, the effective LOP has been shortened to a degree that allows guard contact.

An experiment I have no need of repeating!

Good huntin' to ya.

~Holmes