Muncy, yes I have a couple 338WinMags and other stuff both smaller and bigger.

Tell the "gurls" to go worry about themselves and you'll worry about you. Our ChristineB (moderator) shoots a 375 H&H which is a notable step up from a 338WinMag and the Barnes book is full of testimonials from ladies shooting bigger than that. So if they can, then I'm betting you can, BUTTTTT don't succumb to the American School Of Hard Knocks Firearms Learning Methodology! You have to use some smarts on this deal....

Don't shoot it like you would an '06.

** First make sure the stock is long enough that your thumb as you wrap it around the Wrist of the rifle is a good 1/2 to 3/4 inch from your nose/upper lip.

** Second, if it doesn't have a quality recoil pad on it like a Pachmayer or Simms pitch it and replace it OR if you need to add a little length to get nost/upper lip clearance then just slip a Pachmayer or Simms "slip over" recoil pad and you'll get your length and be double recoil padded.

**Third, I don't know about Nikons, but one place Leupolds shine is eye relief; when you move above 30-06 it becomes more important just based on physics, Leupolds have some of the consistently long eye reliefs in the business.

** Fourth, in terms of getting a friendly introduction to your new baby, make your first shots with 200 to 225 grain bullets (and NOT the Federal Hi Energy 250 gr. stuff).

** Fifth in terms of introduction is to make your firstshots standing up WITH NO BENCH REST. This is not a accuracy sesson, that comes later, this is a "get introduced" session. [Read "No Surprises" --- surprises are bad]. For the first two shots just look OVER the scope and put the rounds somewhere into the back drop, then you can look thru the scope later. Get a "gut feel" for the report, the recoil, and the jump up, if any. This item MAY be over kill, but I don't know what you are used to or up for; hence it is better to go needlessly cautious and have a long "marriage" than to volunteer for the ever popular "school of hard knocks" and just jump in and hope for the best (the American standard).

** Sixth, when you do decide to sit down and bench rest assume an upright posture,NOT the heavy lean into it -go down on the table - pile drive the recoil intoyour face and down spine. Toss the screw jack aside (way to low even on high) get yourself 12 to 14 sand bags and sit with your stomach touching the bench and your back straight up and down - now you can roll with the recoil instead of getting hammered.

** Seventh, have a little talk with yourself:
-- Is there going to a major explosion just inches from my brain and face. Yes. Is that okay if I handle myself properly. Yes.
-- Is it natural for me to instictively and emotionally to "cower" with such an event taking place. Yes. As an intelligent animal, can I override my instincts to make happen what I want to happen for accurate and painless shooting. Yes, but it don't happen by accident.
-- Forbidden actions: If as you are pulling the trigger and the sear is starting to break you find yourself dreading the shot, closing your eyes, or oh just wishing it would end, then STOP, put the rifle on safe, set it down, look up and review the discussion with yourself that we've just had here. ABSOLUTELY refuse to take even a single shot under intimidation, if you can't mentally rally and do it right, then take our one of the gallery guns you have brought along and play with it pretending you are working with "the big boy". When you feel you "have your crap together" then revisit the big one. If you can't get it together that day then don't shoot. NEVER take a single shot under intimidation, let your new weapon know right from the start that you are the MASTER and it is the TOOL and that it will be your way or the highway. I cannot overemphasize this attitude enough. Once you "put your rifle in its place" then you can go on to a productive relationship, on the other hand let it get the upper hand and you are screwed unless you act quickly and decisively to prevail.

** Eighth, especially in the beginning, go to the range with a friend you trust who will single load the rifle for you when you are not looking. His job is to sometimes put a shell in (1/3) and sometimes not put a shell in (2/3). If you have ever flinched on a dry fire in front of a witness, then you know how absolutely embarrassing it can be. Having more dry-fires than real-fires will cause you to master the mental game in the early going. This exercise is possibly one of the most important techniques here because it doesn't allow you to lie to yourself (or others).

** Ninth, if you pay attention and do it right, then when the rifle fires you will have a fleeting picture in your mind for just a bit of where the cross hairs were at the moment of firing before recoil breaks the scene. You will know "good shot" or "bad shot" before you even look to see where you hit. Being able to do this is key to getting sharp and itonly happens if your eyes are open.

** Tenth, once you move above 30-06 they just aren't gallery rifles anymore. Shooting lots of ammo isNOT the key. Having a good session, even if it is only a few shots IS THE KEY! Once you've done good, then stop and go play with something else and then go home. Reflect and recall what you saw, heard, felt, smelled, and tasted and replay it over and over. When you return to the bench (or what ever) EXPECT to pick up right where you left off.

I shoot cartridges from 22LR to 458Lott and that is the approach I used and the approach I have shared with others on this forum who have contacted me by email.
Good Luck!