Bill Allen, first off what have you been used to shooting in the way of a centerfire rifle? Next, the .270 shooting 130 grain factory bullets will generate around 17 pounds of felt recoil to the body. In comparison the 30-06 with a 180 grain bullet will jump up on the recoil scales to around 23 with a Max load. I judge the recoil to be light by my standards, shooting 20 are so rounds from the bench, some might consider it moderate though.
Numbers are numbers right! However, what do they really mean to the shooter like yourself. 4 to 5 pounds of added recoil can be felt by the shooter, no question about that fact. If you handload, certain powders can cause the "felt recoil" to go up a couple of pounds or so.
I know from 45 years of shooting guns in general and hunting, that the .270 Winchester is a great whitetail or mule deer rifle. It can even be used for elk or moose with the proper weight and constructed bullet.
My daughter shoots a .270 Winchester for her whitetail deer rifle and she tips the scales at 116 lbs. I don't think you will have any problems what so ever with a famed .270 Winchster, hope you pick a model 70 Featherweight too!
