I am pretty recoil sensitive so I mount Limbsaver pads on all my muzzleloaders (some have to be ground to fit). If you stay with 80-90 gr of most synthetics or real black and 300gr. or lighter bullets the recoil is not punishing. If however you go to maximum loads or anything over 100gr. of powder and heavier than 300gr. bullets it will hit you hard. Those loads are only necessary if you are one of the guys that practice enough to be able to make good hits at ranges approaching 200 yards. I am not one of those. I limit my shots to 100 yards and 90gr. of powder and 300gr. bullets anchor elk at that range.