RECOIL VALUES DEFINED:
1. Energy exerted-> at the butt stock/recoil pad measured in ergs, lb./ft., etc.
2. Angle of recoil-> directly rearward (as with AR type stocks) or downward and rearward (as with most hunting stocks, which causes muzzle rise during recoil)
My 6.5 CM Ruger Precision Rifle exerts less energy rearward than my laminated Boyd's Classic stocked 6.5 CM Ruger American Predator because the RPR is close to twice as heavy as the RAP. Much recoil energy is used just moving that heavy RPR with its Bushnell ERS tactical scope and Nightforce mount, Atlas bipod, Anarchy Arms forearm padding, and CTK monopod plus 10 rounds of ammo.
Plus my RPR has its stock high in relation to the bore & bolt centerline so recoil is virtually straight back with little muzzle rise, especially shooting from a bench or prone from a bipod. The bolt of the RPR moves directly into the tubular stock attachment point when worked. This is one of many RPR innovations Ruger made.
And the laminated Boyd's Classic stock for my American Predator is as straight line as possible (for a classic hunting stock) with the bolt barely missing the high comb of the stock. This stock has virtually no "drop" from comb to heel and I appreciate that design feature for both recoil management and proper cheek weld for scope use.
This Boyd's high comb design also more easily puts my eye in line with the SWFA scope, which has a 42 mm objective bell, thus not needing high rings for the bell to clear the barrel and therefore keeping the scope reasonably low.
All these considerations of stock design, scope measurements and personal anatomy can combine to reduce FELT RECOIL and apparent recoil if done properly.