Shooting from the bench can be brutal sometimes. Especially with heavy kickers. When I shoot my big boys, I usually pad my shoulder with a folded up chamois.
I agree that flinching is all mental and once developed can be tough to cure. The 'other guy' loading idea sounds like it should work.
Pad you shoulder, pull the rifle in tight and squeeze and don't anticipate the gun going off. Don't know what bullets/loads your shooting but using lighter bullets will reduce recoil. And doesn't Federal make a reduced recoil load for the '06?
Practice, practice practice.