I've got identical rifles in .223 and .204, and recoil is a fuzz less in the .204, but I use 32s in it, and 50s in the .223, although I don't hotrod the 50s much (3380fps or thereabouts). My .204 loads run just under 4100fps, so they're not maxxed out, but getting close.
Granting there's not much difference, but it sure is fun to see a rat lift off the ground with those little 32s. Then again, I also used a .22/250 with identical stocks and scopes, and I COULD see the hits with it, too. I shoot them all off a bipod with a bag at the buttstock. And I hang onto it, like it kicked or something.
You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.
