You are right, I do not get very many places, only been on one hunting in my life but planing another for next year. As to recoil, other then powder weight the 3oo Ultra and the .300 Weatherby loaded to the same velosity and fired in idenitcal rifles would have roughly the same recoil. However when loaded to their full potential the Ultra would have noticiably more. Weatherby does not have the best stock design to minimise precieved recoil. Too much drop, the Remington design is no jem either but better in that department. If you ever get up this way stop by and we will shoot.