Recoil is not that hard to overcome, if yo have the money, time and ambition to master any caliber. I shoot 30-06 and 338 for my big game hnting, and use a 308 for pleasure, a 243 for varmint/coyote.

I have also shot just about every other caliber out there at one time or another, finally settling on what works for me. Heavy recoil is mastered, not endured. Firm grip, body looseness and tension, trigger feel, good shooting postions etc all help to make it manageable. My 338 has a HARD recoil pad from the factory, is almost 30 years old, weighs 9.5 lbs and yes, it bites if you don't watch yourself.

Now with that said, while the 338 works fo rme, my hunting partner asked what I would buy if I were to do it again, and my answer is either the long 300 win or a weatherby. I reload and that would give me every possible option to handle anything I am ever going to see. And in comparison to what else is out there, is easily mastered.