MD,
I might have overstated the felt recoil since I shot 50 rounds of 200 grain bullets in a Model 70 in .358 Win, 30 shots of varying bullet weights in a Forbes in .270 Win and over 20 shots in a Rem 700 in 280 AI totaling over 100 rounds that day prior to shooting the PRC. My shoulder might have more sensitive than I realized when I made my comparison.Those rifles, other than the Forbes, are all heavier than the M-18.
At any rate, the M-18 and the 6.5 PRC are a fine combination for around $450 and still would be for even quite a bit more!