Have a question. I thought that in the same caliber, the heavier the bullet, the more recoil you'd have from that rifle. A buddy says it's the opposite.....the lighter the bullet, the more the rifle will kick. For example...all other things being equal (same rifle, same caliber, same amount of powder, etc)...would a 270 shooting a 130 grain bullet kick more or less than 150 grains?

Your buddy is wrong, go rub it in his face.

If pressures were the same, the lighter the bullet, the less recoil energy. It's simple physics.

270 Win
130 at 3060 fps
150 grain at 2850 fps

Show his this: http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp

Heavier bullet = more recoil

All other factors being equal, powder selection alone can make a real difference also.

I was doing some load workup for a 260.

Using the same bullets at comparable velocities, H4350 had noticeably sharper recoil than H4831sc, which was a slower push in comparison.

Based on finding an accurate load with the H4831, I chose it because of the milder recoil.

I noticed the recoil difference between powders while using the same bullet when working up a 45 load also.

+1. I've seen the same thing with other calibers also.

Get a break if its to much recoil for you and some hearing protection. I have breaks on three of my rifles and I would estimate it reduces +40% recoil.

And yes, the heavier the bullet the heavier the recoil..........Powder does make a difference also.

To me, a 270 is not that much less than a 30/06, even when you shoot 130's.
But yes, heavier bullet gets more recoil all things being equal.

Completely agree.