I shoot a .300 Win Short Mag. The kick has never been an issue to me, and I shoot that gun better then any other rifle I have used. I orginally bought it for hunting out west when i lived out there.

Now living back east its my primary deer rifle too. I have a .270 but i dont shoot it nearly as well as my .300WSM. Granted my .300WSM is a nicer gun too.

Also, im not a small guy. I weigh 200lbs, work out,lift weights, the works, and contact isnt a big issue for me. I have a friend thats small and he is affraid of it cause it does knock him around.

I would say shoot what works for you and what is legal for what your hunting. A well place bullet is still the best method. I load my .300WSM light for deer, to try and offset and extra explosions that might ruin the meat.

I just like the fact that my one gun can cover a very large array of game and all i have to do is change bullets and re sight in.