Glshuck said
I can't say for sure whether the pad on it is sorbothane or not. About all I can tell you is that it is black with a white line. It is however an era correct pad, which was surprising beings I have always looked at pachmeyer white lines as a 70's thing. Maybe I am misguided in doing so. 
In this instance, I think the correct pad needs to go on the gun regardless of the comfort factor. I don't really intend to shoot this one, and if I do- it'll be with mouse-fart handloads, running at the approximate speed of smell. I have the dies and plenty of brass, as I already own a later model push feed .458 (everyone needs a spare, right?). I have shot full power loads through that gun and I expect this pad was replaced in attempt to help with the recoil. Not exactly a cartridge to be fired on white underwear days. 
  

The Pachmayr "Whiteline" ventilated pad goes back much further than the Nineteen Seventies. It was introduced by Mershon in partnership with August and Frank Pachmayr in 1935.  There was some litigation later when, about 1945, Pachmayr begin using the design under its own name. By 1950 the dispute was resolved and the pads were manufactured with "Pachmayr Whiteline" molded into the face of the pad.  The early Weatherby rifles sold in the Forties featured these pads, custom ordered with "Tomorrow's Rifles Today" molded in, but they were Pachmayr Whitelines. 

Although Browning installed a brown, Browning logo Pachmayr Whiteline on magnum caliber High Powers, the usual practice of Browning dealers was to install the same brown, but Pachmayr logo, pad at customer request, when the dealer installed a scope. My main deer rifle is a 1962 Safari Grade High Power (FN Mauser) .30/06 Springfield, with the latter such pad. 

Given the relatively high price  and overall quality of a Browning High Power in 1962, the cheap plastic buttplate was a jarring note and was uncomfortable to shoot in a major centerfire caliber. If mine hadn't come with a Pachmayr pad, I'd have had one installed. Like the pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Featherweights - the vast majority of which were chambered in .30/06 -- the High Powers look odd to me without a Whiteline. 

I confess I don't like the black versions. Red and brown look proper. They go quite well with Filson Cruisers. 

In this instance, I think the correct pad needs to go on the gun regardless of the comfort factor. I don't really intend to shoot this one, and if I do- it'll be with mouse-fart handloads, running at the approximate speed of smell. I have the dies and plenty of brass, as I already own a later model push feed .458 (everyone needs a spare, right?). I have shot full power loads through that gun and I expect this pad was replaced in attempt to help with the recoil. Not exactly a cartridge to be fired on white underwear days. 

I hope Steve is able to come through for you but, out of curiosity, is the Pachmayr pad presently on your African a Sorbothane pad? 

I have a 1980 African, the last of the breed before all gun production ceased. The 1980 style reverted to the solid red Winchester patent date pad, which, I'm here to tell you, is not as much fun as an ice cream social when actually shooting the gun. 

The African is not a heavy gun at about 9 pounds when it ought to weigh 11 or 12,  for a cartridge delivering recoil in the 65 foot pound neighborhood.

I suppose this is an extreme example of the difference between collectors and shooters. Anyone (except a masochist)  who plans to actually use your .458 for the purpose intended, would be very happy with a Sorbothane pad.

Limbsaver used to make a beautiful solid red Sorbothane pad that would keep the African shooter from losing 20 points of IQ every time he pulled the trigger. 

I realize this is a contrarian's opinion but I have the romantic notion these rifles are best enjoyed doing what they were meant to do.  In my case, it can only be ugly "Rooshun hawgs" although they can and will cut you wide, deep, and serious, if you mess up. And yes, I use handloads. 

Congrats on the sale of the 94/95 hybrid. I sure do like that one as it's in fine condition.

Thanks for offering it here to the members first.

Tony

You are right that Galazan is not making the correct repro Pre-64 M70 vent pad any more.  Best bet may be to find an otherwise wrecked take-off stock with the correct factory pad and cross your fingers it's fit is close enough...

I don't have anything suitable.  I do have a rough Featherweight-Westerner (with that pad) that I'm going to send to auction, but no take-off stocks.  I had one but I gave it to a WACA member who had a similar problem a couple years ago.

Good Luck!!!  You'll find what you need eventually...

Lou

 I find something I would like to buy  every day without futzin' around with auctions.