Very few centerfire rifles would kick as much or more than a 12 gauge shotgun. If you can shoot that setup without getting hit by the scope then I would say you are good to go. Shooting from a bench, you realize is not like shooting in the field where you might have to snap off a shot or are hanging from a tree. Extra eye releif is never a bad thing as it speeds up target aquisition in my opinion. Also important is how critical the sight picture/eye relief is. A leupold just snaps up and gives you a full picture and "BANG" your done. If you have to adjust your head while trying to aim then I don't want that scope on a big game rifle.