Having owned several 300 UM and other mags 300's,7mm's.338's and a few 375 H&H's and 2 416's.I like the 300 and the 338 UM and they realy don't bash you like some pepole say,and with a quality recoil pad,down right easy to shoot.I'v put 40 rounds in one sitting through a 300 UM one of the first ones that came out and it did hurt,it was alot more than my 06 and my .300 Win.I learned that day when in moderatoin it was most enjoyable.
I shot a new .338 UM last fall and was truly amazed at limbsaver recoil pads as this gun was a powder puff to shoot.I almost ran out and bought a .338 UM but for already having 2 .338 Win Mags it did not seem logical,instead this year I'm buying a Remington SPS 300 UM.
as for this panty thing each to his own.
BBJ