ORIGINAL: Underclocked
recoil - that energy has to go somewhere. Your shoulder is a nice, pliant cushion that will absorb the energy, a brick wall is not so accommodating.Just run a simple vector analysis of the distribution of force.
But I always wonder (when reading of this type event)what kind of rings/mounts were involved and if they were secure.
Yes, the force goes into the slight movement of the rifle/sled/SCOPE combo. The scope moves much faster and farther if it pushing some wimpy shoulder back.
Think about the most extreme situation. The gun is put up against a solid brick wall. The stock is strong enough not to give under the extreme recoil. The scope sits perfectly still on top of the rifle. NO recoil at all is felt by the scope.