Considering my first gun purchase and would like some opinions about recoil mostly concerning these two rifles. I have virtually no shooting experience, but did shoot a friends 7mm mag and a 300 wby. I found it hard to be objective about the recoil since up till now I've been a bow shooter. Definitely going to get a muzzle-brake on either one. I spoke to one gun smith and he told me that the 300 win is not going to kick more than a .243 with the brake and if it is made to fit me right. Going to be hunting elk for sure and maybe black bear someday. I hunt in the mountains of Colorado so maybe that will answer some of the shot distance questions. Any help appreciated!