As others have recommended, a rifle with a muzzle brake is unbearable to fire without ear protection. And the notion of wearing electronic ear protection while you are hunting - day after day - is not all that practical. They are uncomfortable and you don't hear as well at distance as you do normally. They tend to really amplify things close to you and not reveal sounds at distance very well. I tried it for awhile - hunting with a T/C Contender pistol. Couldn't make it work.

I would recommend getting a rifle without a muzzle brake. Semi auto's kick less than bolt guns. Heavier rifles kick less than light rifles. The best recoil pad is the Limbsaver/Simm's. Rugers kick more than Remingtons or Weatherby's (stock design). Take a look at the 7MM-08 orthe .280 Remington. They will kill anything in North America, with good bullets and good bullet placement,as long as you keep your shots inside 300 yards.