The hardest recoiling rifles I have ever benched were a 375 H&H and a maxed out 45-70. I didn't enjoy it at all. They induced recoil headaches from hell. I could force myself not to flinch though and I got obnoxious groups with the 45-70. I have had 5 shooting shoulder surgeries. A 6.5 PRC is the hardest hitting chambering I have now, and I don't see any need to go beyond that.
We used to have to qualify with a Remington 870. After 25 rounds of full-house 00 buck, I was ready to tap out.
