The recoil with my 44 levergun is about on par with a .223 centrfire in a bolt action. Which is to say that it is hardly noticeable at all. I have had 2 shoulder surgeries and my neck is badly messed up as well and the 44 is probably the easiest gun to shoot that I own. I can run a box of 50 through it and only be about as sore as I would be if I shot 5-10 out of my .270. Thats why I bought my 44 Magnum is because I was looking for an easy to pack, and easy to shoot rifle that I can kill deer with.