With 180 grain bullets, the 300 WSM has 23.8 lbs of recoil. With the same bullet the 300 Win Mag has 25.9 lbs. In rifles of the same weight, I doubt most people would feel any difference. The 30-08 with the same bullet has 20.6 lbs. The 308 with the same bullet has 17.8 lbs. Just a good way to compare the calibers.