If I were only hunting deer, I wouldn't ownmy .30-'06: I probably would go witha 7mm-08. I bought my .30-'06 because I wanted to include elk onmy ticket.

However, I didn't buy it before borrowing one & shooting a box of shells. It wasn't exceedingly pleasant, but I felt I could handle it. As it turns out, I got my '06 in a rifle that fits me like a dream, and it also has a Sims pad on it, so I can handle it much better than the rifle I borrowed for my "test".

Still, I need to concentrate on my breathing, and posture, and trigger control, and sight picture... quite a bit with each shot.I also bring along my .22lr to practice those basics while the barrel cools on my .30-'06. For me, a range session might include 1-ish box of '06, and 2 boxes of .22lr.

I know there are those who think a .30-'06 won't kill an elk, and that even a .375 doesn't have any recoil. Good for them. They can shoot their guns, & I'll keep mine.