That's interesting,I've shot my Mosins with heavy ball,light ball,and my handloads,to me,they are among the lightest recoiling rifles out of the 17 rifles I own. Try a M95 Steyr carbine in 8X56R,208 grain bullet at 2500,from the 6 3/4lb Steyr,tends to get your attention but still not bad,however,still not as bad as my H&H 700 Nitro Express.