In answer to the recoil issue, oner of the most important things is to not get hurt the first time. If you don't get hurt you probably won't develop any flinch. As has been stated shooting standing from sticks is good practice, but for sighting in , or hand loaders, having a "standing bench" is a real boon. Avoiding the crouching position at the usual sit down bench will usually keep shooting anything with recoil much more pleasant.
