I have the remington .338 RUM and I love it. I have taken 2 bull elk with it and both where longer range than I wanted, but I new how the gun would shoot and they were the only shot. I have complete confidence in this round at longer ranges (longer than my 30-06). When I first bought it, I was a little apprehensive of the recoil, but then after the first shot, I didn't think it was as bad as I had heard. Actually, I have a remington 760 30-06 with just a plastic "recoil pad" and the 338 has about a 1 inch rubber pad and I feel the 30-06 kicks harder. maybe I need to get a better recoil pad for the 30-06 . I would actually think that the 300 RUM would kick harder because of the smaller case neck. Is there a reason you don't want the Remington? I have nothing but good things to say about it. The .338 RUM is a pretty easy caliber to work up a load for too.