[SingleLiberty24]

Shot a bolt 12 Ga the other day and wondered why I felt a bit more kick to it than the pump 12 Ga
I use 2 3/4 shells In both guns

[VASH1456]

Was it a slug you shot?

[VASH1456]

I shot my buddy's bolt action 12gauge and it kicked harder then my 870. He said it kicked harder because his gun has less weight then mine.

[c3shooter]

All other things being equal, lighter gun kicks more.

[Georgiahunter]

Originally Posted by c3shooter

All other things being equal, lighter gun kicks more.

Definitely the truth, my 870 12 ga. kicks way less than one of those break-open single shot Rossies in .410.

[BillM]

Less weight
Poor stock design
Poor stock fit
Heavier load ammo
Not shouldering the gun properly

Any of the above will make a gun feel
like it kicks harder.

[SingleLiberty24]

Not a slug and I held nice and tight in my shoulder pocket

[robocop10mm]

Weight, stock design, drop at comb, size and composition of butt pad all contribute to felt recoil

[HockaLouis]

There is another possible reason...

People often tend to use some of the rearward momentum of pump guns to apply to the forearm to to cycle the action. In a bolt action shotgun there is no such transfer of energy -- it all goes right back into that stock and you shoulder.

To be clear, some of the energy transferred to your left arm goes into the forearm and action vs. your shoulder.