My remark about unpleasant recoil concerned several of the factory loads. I had a very comfortable Federal paper, roll crimped, reload. But it was either the Lyalvale or the Agulia shells which were too hot by half. Worse than many factory 2 1/2” shells with more shot. RST shells have always been very pleasant to shoot. Perhaps with RST shells I would not notice the recoil but back then they did not have extensive loads for sale. My loads came from Alliant Powder and Hodgdon Powder using cut down Federal Paper hulls and those were pussy cats to shoot.

Recoil is just physics. Light gun, heavy or fast loads will give more recoil than a heavier gun shooting the same load. Stock configuration can give you a little more in the cheek area if you have a fat face like I do or get down overly hard onto the comb.