Just a question that's been bugging me.

Suppose you have a cartridge for which you can load a wide range of bullet weights (ex. 44 Magnum, 500 S&W). Lets say you have two sets of cartridges, one of them loaded with the light bullets, and one loaded with the heavy ones, both of which are loaded as hot as you safely can with the same powder. The light bullet is going to have a much higher velocity, of course, and that heavy bullet will be going relatively slow. Which one would have the worse recoil?

Generally, it takes more effort to move a heavy object than a light one, and for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Just look at what happens to POI with a shortgun when you merely increase bullet weight for example.

Heavy and fast is the killer combination from an abuse standpoint. Generally speaking though, light bullets loaded fast typically don't kick so badly.

AMEN TO THAT!!!!
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction!!
Those bigger heavier bullets don't want to start down the tube as easy as the light ones.

I agree fast and heavy kick harder, but I find that light and fast tend to be extremely snappy in the hand.

It is all in the perceived recoil.

For me, heavy/slow tends to recoil more, however I find the recoil pulse more tolerable than the light/fast which as linebaugh mentioned can feel rather snappy in the hand.

X2
In my 4 5/8 45colt ruger I'd rather spend the day shooting 350s at 1200 than 300s at 1300ish or 265s close to 1400. With the 350 it's an abrupt push,with the 300s and 265s it's more of a whip or snappy as the others have said.

What he said.

I for one dont care for hot 357 loads in the 1500-1600 range, but heavy 45s at 1100 fps are a pleasure.