heavy powder charges, heavy bullets make the rifles kick hard.

For example, a 295 grain powerbelt driven by 80-100 grains pyrodex doesnt have much recoil at all.

The recoil pad depends on the felt recoil. Supposedly the cva crushzone i think its called, has been compaired to the limbsaver recoil pad.Heard that there is little difference.
The cva recoil pad runs around $13 while the limbsaver pushes close to $40.