regarding recoil A 243 win has roughly 8ft/lbs , a 7mm-08 has roughly 12.5 ft/lbs and a 270win has roughly 16.5 ft/lbs recoil.As some have stated stock design and recoil pad can make a huge difference also.I purchased a Rem 7mm-08 sps youth for my 11 yr old daughter and also got a great deal on a Rem model 7 7mm-08 so I couldn't resist getting that as well.Even with the same ammo,there is a HUGE difference in recoil however.The model 7 kicks like a Mule in comparison.Maybe it is just this particular model 7,as this is the only one I have ever shot but, wow,The SPS youth is a pussycat in comparison.I even put a limbsaver recoil pad on the model 7. It just has a very "sharp" kick to it.I would not let my 11 yr old daughter shoot it, as she doesn't have much experience with a centerfire rifle.The sps however, not a problem. I have thought about selling the model 7 but, it shoots so good and is so nice to pack I am tempted to keep it.My wife is recoil sensitive,and she has a short stocked Rem 270 with a good pad that she has killed deer and elk with.She did pack the Rem sps 7mm-08 quite abit this year though.It is lighter,and kicks a bit less.