Raw recoil in any gun is based on three factors ... the weight of the gun, muzzle velocity, and bullet weight. The formula for raw recoil is: velocity in fps, times bullet weight in lbs, divided by the weight of the gun in lbs.
As an example, let's say you had a Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 4 5/8" barrel that weighs 45 oz empty (2.8 lb). A factory 180 gr 44 Mag round is rated at 1610 fps from a 4 5/8" barrel. A factory 240 gr 44 Mag round is rated at 1350 fps from a 4 5/8" barrel.
For the 180 gr load: 180/7000=.026 lb ----- .026X1610=41.86 ----- 41.86/2.8=14.95
For the 240 gr load: 240/7000=.034 lb ----- ..034X1350=45.9 ------ 45.9/2.8=16.39
As you can see with these two factory loads, the 240 gr will have about 10% more recoil. If you were to compare a mid-range 240 gr load @ 1200 fps, the raw recoil would be 14.57, which is about 2.5% less than the above 180 gr load. So the truth is, depending on the velocity of both cartridges you are comparing, either one could generate more recoil. Not all brands of factory ammo generate the same velocity with the same bullet weight and because there are differences in the gun itself (barrel length, B/C gap losses, etc), the only way to accurately determine velocity is with a chronograph. You would also have to weigh your gun on a scale.
Now if you really want to get technical, you must also add the weight of the cartridges to the weight of the gun and subtract bullet weight plus powder charge weight for each round fired. In other words, you will have slightly more raw recoil with each round fired.
Raw recoil does not consider the type of grips used or the grip angle. When grips and grip angle are added to the mix, it becomes "felt recoil", which we all know can vary from person to person depending on how the shooters hand fits/holds the gun.
Another factor for "felt recoil" is the type of powder used. Again another example: Let's say you had two 240 gr loads, one with fast burning powder and the other with slow burning powder but both cartridges produce the same exact muzzle velocity of 1200 fps. Mathematically, both would produce a raw recoil of 14.57. Recoil starts the moment the powder starts to burn and ends when the bullet leaves the muzzle. With a fast burning powder, chamber pressure and velocity increase much faster at the beginning so "felt recoil" will actually feel sharper at first than with slow burning powder.
Despite the above "math", the best way to judge for yourself is to load your gun with both loads, fire them one after another, and feel the difference.