JamesB, It looks like you and I both have experience with the .40+ magnums and you are right once you have been there and thencome back down to the .338 and .375 range they both feel pretty gentle by comparison and it is tempting to call them about evenwhen compared to the real kickers and they are kind of close, but.... I remember the first time I took a 375 to the range, it was a heavy rifle too, I warmed up with the 338 and then grabbed the 375 and slid one of those long H&H rounds in, applied my best 338 shooting form, and damn, it left a pretty strong impression on me ofkicking more and jumping more. I found I had tohold on to the forearm or it wouldjump right off of the stand where the 338 would stay put with the forearm un-grabbed. I felt like I had moved a significant step up. Now, compared to the .40+ mags it's no big deal however for some who may becoming up from a 3006 as their maxit may be a bit of a big step. That is why I recommended the in between stopin the338WM neighborhood. Somewould fair better than others and take right to a 375, others might have trouble.Maybe no big deal for you and me given the path we've travelled but might be a bit much for others that are getting slapped around for the first time by that much recoil.