A recoil absorption system for a long gun is provided that includes at least one fluid-filled piston shock attached between the body of the rifle and the stock to provide a damped connection between the two. When large caliber rounds are fired, the shocks are permitted to compress, so that the buffer tube is correspondingly permitted to travel rearward within the buffer tube bore of the stock. The stocks detent pin is normally captured within a slot on the buffer tube, such that the long gun recoil causes the buffer tube slot to move relative to the pin, the pin restricts the buffer tube movement and compression of the shocks to the length of the slot. In this way, the recoil energy of large caliber rounds is effectively absorbed, providing a more comfortable and accurate shooting experience.