I own a Benelli R1 in .30-06 and it is a great rifle. It is not as accurate as a bolt gun in the same price range, but it is accurate enough. I have the synthetic stock and it does reduce felt recoil.
In fact, the rifle actually belongs to my wife. To give you an idea how well it works, carrying my range bag from the truck left more of a bruise on my shoulder than shooting the rifle did the last time I took it to the range.
If you are hunting from a deer blind and will be waiting for something to walk into your feed plot, stick with a bolt gun. If you are hunting in heavy brush (or spot and stalk) then you should consider this rifle.
Also, just FYI, reduced recoil rounds won't work in this gun. There is just not enough "umph" to cycle the bolt.
Hope this helps.