I had a Ruger 7mm mag, it kicked harder than the 30-06, it's accuracy was only so so in that nylon stock, went to a custom laminated wood stock, little improvement, but it did cut some of the recoil. Got rid of it, and got a Browning 338 mag, recoil up there pretty good, but accuracy was great with hand loads. Had surgery on my shoulder, and decided to go to a Browning win. 280. I haven't looked back, it drops elk with my first shot using Nosler 140 gr. partition, lot less recoil than the 7mm mag, with only slightly reduced ballistics, and still great accuracy. The most important thing to keep in mind, is your comfort with the caliber you decide on. I still love the 338, and and before my shoulder surgery, recoil never bothered me at the range, and you never feel the recoil when shooting at game in the field. Shot placement and confidence in yourself and your rifle are the most important factors for hunting.