Welcome to the forum.
Ones hunting /shooting friends are always special.
It is always great to have someone to share your
firearm experiences with.

Recoil does build character!! a friend GD once said- If it smacks you hard enough to knock you down consider a smaller caliber, otherwise keep shooting.

Can't say i agree entirely with GD but big guns do make the shooting more of a challenge.

Good knowledgible folks here-- I think you will enjoy this website.