Went to the range this past week...

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. One bozo's perception of "kick"

7.62x54r, .30-'06, .308, 8mm Mauser, all seem to kick about the same.

In a bolt-action rifle, the kick is most severe. In the M1 Garand, the recoil is reduced by the energy siphoned off to work the reloading mechanism, so it doesn't kick as much.

Try the M1 Garand, then run some of the same ammunition through a '03 Springfield. I think the Springfield kicks a lot more. Without all the extra moving parts, the Springfield also seems to shoot tighter groups.

Saving the brass is a good idea. Maybe someday you'll start loading them.

Agree, it sucks to leave stuff on the kitchen table that you need at the range. If you have a checklist, then you can also forget the checklist you left in the kitchen.