The physics of recoil tend to circle around a projectile of a certain weight (mass) exiting at a certain velocity and the weight of the powder gases (very close to the weight of powder charge) also exiting - typically gases are exiting much faster than did the projectile. Consider that the bullet and rifle and powder all started still - together - in milliseconds that bullet and powder gas accelerated to muzzle velocity - so the rifle had to go the other way. Use the fancy math and can figure out how fast the weight (mass) of the rifle is going to go the opposite way. Perhaps good recoil pads alter the way that you experience that energy - a quick sharp "punch", or a longer duration "push". However, that recoil energy is going to get transferred to you, unless the rifle went flying off into the bush.
But most sporter rifles have the point of recoil transfer to the shooter, below the line of the barrel - therefore the muzzle will rise. That means so will the top of the comb of the stock. Those unprepared, will get smacked in the face by their comb; if they did not mount the rifle correctly, they will experience the rearward motion on bone, or thinly covered bone on their shoulder. All of which contributes to a "perception" of recoil, which may or may not be supported by the physics involved. In extreme cases of poor form, the scope cuts a half moon shape on the shooters eyebrow - apparently is quite a memorable experience to have!!!
I once worked with a fairly husky fellow on an underground mining crew who told me, how his GrandPa's 30-30 rifle would kick the snot out of him when he fired it. Pure physics do not support that - but was what he claimed to have experienced. Does not make his GrandPa's rifle special, or "extra powerful", at all. Says more about his abilities, or perhaps that rifle stock's fit to him, than most anything else I could think of.
Most new shooters can get past the recoil thing by firing off hand standing - not the most precise for shooting groups, but gets you past the "kick" thing. Half dozen shots usually teaches you is not so bad. Now can sit down with sandbags - try to keep your back erect - stack stuff high - let your shoulder and back flex as if you were standing. As mentioned above, with some trigger time, you will learn is not so bad at all. Likely tempting you to get lower - likely focusing on getting better groups. Wrong thing to worry about at the beginning - have to get used to the "kick" - such as it is. My 14 year old son was ripping of standing magazine fulls with my 338 Win Mag - his words - made the 308 Win feel like "puny" in comparison. Perhaps need to experience some recoil, to appreciate when it is not significantly there.
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