I don’t have anything for your recoil pad, but I just wanted to say I like your rifle. I have a TC Contender carbine with a super 16 7/30 watters barrel and a Choate stock that weighs 5.55# with one round and nylon mountain sling. I’ve wondered about having the normal weight barrel turned down...
I would only add to the discussion that judging from your last sentence, there may be other issues popping up soon. Though it may last another bunch of miles, 230,000 is getting up there. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but do you want to invest a lot of $$$$ in a high mileage car?
I didn't carry them (at least two pairs) for the first 25 years or so simply because nobody did. The last 25 years or so I have, along with wet wipes all for easier clean up. They go right back in the same zip lock they came in when done and get packed out afterwards.
My Dad used to haul my little sister on backpacking trips (late 60’s) in a full length REI bag and old external frame. He would put his sleeping bag in the bag and sit my sister on it. Then he’d put other gear around her. She sat in there on a bunch of trips until she was old enough to walk...