I designed a recoil pad for my shotgun and came across a great idea for the padding. An old flip-flop. They usually have about 1 to 3 layers of higher density foam. I traced the butt of my shotgun and cut it out on my band saw. Shaping the stuff is pretty easy especially if you have a belt sander. I wet molded some leather for the butt cover and did the same for the cheek piece. It will take a bit of work but nothing is too good for the ole shooter eh? Of course you will have to get used to the smell of stinky feet along with your gunsmoke. I dropped the idea of the shell loops.
I appreciate your interest in my recoil boot but I am still working on perfecting the form for molding the butt cap. It is a rather involved process and I doubt if anyone would want to bother with building one for just one unit. You can just stretch some wet leather over your gun butt, (cover with plastic bag) Use a 1/2 inch or so band to wrap tightly around the leather, pull evenly with a pair of pliers all around the edge to stetch, try to keep the wrinkles at least 1 inch from the top. Force the band downward to help strecth the leather. Let it dry until almost dry and carefully remove to allow the inside to dry. trace around your stock to get the body pattern. When the butt pad is dry contact cement in your pad from the flip-flop (1/2 in. thick-round the edges a bit) Leave about a 3/4 to 1 inch seam edge on the leather cap. Sew it together, punch some holes in the bottom edge for the lace. Doo-dad it up to your desires, slap it on and lace it up. I would advise if you are going to tool and dye it, do it before you sew it together.
That's about all there is to it.
any questions, email me at:
bluesman@acd.net
thanks again
Triggersmith