I've got a 458 Win Brno ZKK602 that has an apparent low quality recoil pad I'm thinking of replacing. I've noticed on H-S Precision stocks they offer a Pachmayer Decelerator pad upgrade for $55. That seems like a pretty good testimonial for that pad since the one that comes standard on their stocks doesn't seem to suck. If I understand, it seems pretty much all pads except for Pachmayer Decelerator are rubber and it is neoprene. In my experience, neoprene is much more durable than rubber.

Besides thickness and dimensions, ventilated or not, screw hole spacing, and pleasing looks, what else should I consider? What's your favorite pad for a new build or replacement for a wood stocked hunting rifle?

It seems every high quality rifle company that mentions the recoil pad has a Pachmayer. I put one on my old Model-12 a couple years ago, quite the improvement over the red granite slab it had on it.

One notable exception is Weatherby 3D Hex, I’ve no idea if they sell them as a replacement pad.

I emailed Lyman about their Pachmayr line. They said all their pads are rubber. So material doesn't delineate the Decelerator line.