The recoil pad is contoured to fit the shooter's shoulder and made from the same recoil-absorbing gel as is used in the cheekpiece.

I have fired the Benelli R1 with a standard walnut stock, and the excellent stock design coupled with the gas-operated action makes it a very controllable rifle. Benelli was not satisfied, though, and decided to further reduce the effects of recoil by adapting the ComforTech stock to the R1.

If you look at the side of the ComforTech stock you will see 12 chevron-shaped rubber inserts. These inserts increase in size as they run diagonally from the bottom of the stock just behind the pistol grip to the top at the rear of the cheekpiece. They are not there for looks, nor are they randomly placed. These rubber inserts are placed along the path of the recoil impulse to absorb energy so that by the time the recoil reaches the butt a significant portion of it has been drained away.

The first law of thermodynamics says energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can be redirected, though. That is what muzzlebrakes do. They redirect the energy from the gases created when powder is burned. Likewise, the rubber chevrons in the ComforTech stock redirect the recoil energy to a new task, compressing the inserts and flexing the surrounding stock material. At each step a little more energy is absorbed, and by the time the recoil impulse reaches the butt there is less impact to deal with.

In addition to lessening the hit to the shooter's shoulder, the dampening effect of the ComforTech stock also reduces muzzle climb under recoil. This means the shooter can get back on target quicker. This is a worthwhile benefit, particularly with an autoloading rifle.

Deep checkering on the pistol grip and fore-end make for a sure hold on the synthetic stock.

The last line of defense between the recoil impulse and the shooter's shoulder is the recoil pad, and Benelli spent some time and effort on this as well. The recoil pad is made from a shock-absorbent gel that more evenly distributes recoil over the entire pad, thus eliminating hard spots common with other recoil pads. The Benelli recoil pad is also shaped to better fit the shoulder and, again, distribute recoil evenly.

Another point on the body that takes a pounding from heavy recoil is the shooter's cheek. The ComforTech stock has a raised cheekpiece made of a gel adapted from the medical industry. This soft, slippery gel is used in hospitals as a cushion for bed-ridden patients to prevent bed sores. As adapted in the ComforTech cheekpiece, the gel cushions the cheek and softens the jab of hard-kicking calibers.

On the range I tested the Benelli R1 ComforTech in .30-06 using various 180-grain factory loads. The rifle comes with a Picatinny-type scope base that allows wide latitude in mounting a scope. I opted to use a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 scope in matte finish. The scope was a perfect match in finish, size and power range for this rifle and caliber. I used Warne quick-detachable rings.

The R1 rifles come with a very nice polymer case, but the rifle has to be broken down to fit. There is a section for a scope, but it must be detached from the rifle. I recommend quick-detachable rings be used, as it allows the rifle to be broken down and secured in the sturdy case for transport. This would be a particularly handy package for hunters who fly to their destinations.