Quilly, I owed a 300 wby and have shot several 300RUM, while the RUM might have a bit more punch, it is very close to the same recoil IMO. It is stiff but tolerable, for me it is not a tshirt gun or an option as I have a bummed shooting shoulder and had to sell my 300 wby b/c I was developing a flinch when at the range. So the inability to practice for me equals lower confidence and a poor choice. I would suggest shooting one if you can before buying, but like Scott said if you can handle a 450 you' ll be fine with RUM.

Personally I think if you have long shot opps and chase big game it is a good choice. The other must is handloading, buying factory ammo doesn' t really harness the benefits of the RUM like SJ pointed out. If deer is your mainstay then it is way to much and not nessecary IMHO. You must expect/be able to handle the boot a large gun will give you and if not don' t toy with the idea of going big!