Get a past recoil shield and use it when at the bench, also never shoot without hearing protecion when practicing . You'll never feel your gun recoil when shooting at game, I can gurantee that.I wouldn't recomend the shild except you said your a new shooter and it's available so you may as well use it. Shooting from the bench is the worst punishing of all possitions except prone because your body is leaning into the stock and resist moving with recoil. as for the difference in recoil between the two i'd guess maybe 2 - 3 lbs, not enough to notice. so buy the one you want, either will be plenty powerfull enough for what you want.