Recoil isn't a problem. As for the exact remington model I couldn't tell you. I checked the gun from muzzle to recoil pad and everything was fine. Also, according to the Wal-Mart catalog I couldn't find a new remington for that price. Keep in mind this is with a bushnel scope 3x - 9x like the mauser.

The reason I decided against the 7x57 was the ammuntion. I would be limited to buying ammo off the net, or reloading the ammo. I'm not going to like that I can tell you.

The 30-06, from what I've read, should be enough for anything I want to hunt big game wise in the Continental United States. That was the final decision maker.