Actually felt recoil, while I don't feel that it's all that bad, is probably somewhere between the .308 and the .30/06. Perhaps a little closer to the .30/06.
A friend of mine's M44 seemed to "hit harder" than my K-31, but that may be because it's shorter overall, I'm not sure.
The trigger, as another poster mentioned, is definitely one of the best found on any rifle, let alone a $100 surplus rifle. It's a true two-stage with a moderate, crisp break over. Definitely drooling material.
Yes, the K-31 is a pain to scope, but I'm going to do it one way or another. My big problem is that I'm left-handed, shooting a right-handed rifle in the first place (The Swiss made conversion is about $300...but I'm considering it).
This means that I may have to fabricate my own mount or modify an existing one. However, I've found the scope I want, considering I want 800 yards or more. It's a Leupold, of course, illuminated Mil-Dot, and will cost me about 6-7 times the cost of the rifle. Oh well. Once it's "done" I'll have a serious long-range tack driver, for about $1,000 or less, including optics. Not a bad deal, if I may say so myself.
Glad everything's "cool", Mr. Newell. (Didn't intend on making that rhyme.).
Simon.