I have a tikka t-3 in .338 federal. So far it didn't really like any of the loads that are available except the 185gr Barnes tsx. It absolutely loves these. I haven't had a chance to try the new fusion loads for .338 yet. Not really sure I will. As for recoil, I really can't complain. This thing doesn't kick nearly as bad as I expected it to. I hope that the round will be murder on some wild hogs and deer. I know it is a little much for these southern whitetails, but I really wanted something that would reliably take out the hogs incase I got into a charge situation. I plan to do some hog hunting with dogs. Anyway, I love the cartridge and wish I could reload so I could really get more bullet selection out of this round.