Recoil IS a subjective matter, and felt recoil is one thing to one person, something else to another. It only stands to reason that a .338 WM, 200 gr. ball @ 2800 fps. is PROBABLY going to be complained about more by a shooter of smaller stature than that of a larger person. My Model 70 XTR .338 WM has surprised a lot of shooters with it's "felt" recoil. Not bad at all. Then, on the other hand, my old 725 Rem. in .280 will loosen your fillings..... Design, wt, comb, etc......