Im new to this forum, but not to shooting. I have stainless pro hunter .338 win mag and yes, it has more recoil than 30-06, but (to me at least) less than 300 mag. I have shot small whitetail does and with 225 grain spitzer did less damage to meat than my sons 270, both shot in the shoulder. The deer shot with the 270 ran about 50 yards and dropped. The one shot with the 338 went down in its tracks and did not move. Both were shot at the same distance. About 125 yds. I know a lot of you will say the 338 is way too much for whitetail, but in my opinion, it depends on what you are comfortable with.