Going back to 12 gauge and ignoring the .410 rabbit hole.
There is a big difference in recoil between my 2 favourite 12 gauge low recoil loads.
The Federal 9 pellet flite-control low recoil has a fair bit more recoil them Remington 8 pellet managed recoil loads.
Ive heard it explained why the flite-control kicks harder and its more then just the addition of a 9th pellet. Suffice it to say that the flite control loadings generally have more felt recoil then a conventional 9 pellet reduced recoil loading.
If youre recoil shy the Remington 8 pellet managed recoil loadings are a great choice. They also pattern very well in my guns and love a modified choke which can negatively effect flite control patterns.