I just curious why the 338 is considered such a heavy recoiling rifle, when it's free recoil comes in in the mid thirty's, yet a magnum 12 gauge load can exceed 50. I understand there is a difference in velocity of recoil which changes perception somewhat. I've only shot a 338 a couple of times but didn't find it obnoxious. I'm sure I'd limit the number of rounds I'd fire from the bench but I also do that with 12 Ga slugs.

It sounds like you handle recoil better than most people, is all. Plus, I suspect the .338 WM is one of those rifles that people get made too light for "mountain hunting" (or track down the lightest commercially made one they can find).

A 338 Win Mag is not exactly a "Beast" as in the 40 calibers and up, but it deserves respect as it is on the lower end of the medium bores. I have one and have now had a brake installed. It was not exactly pleasant to shoot very often, of course with ammo prices it was not cheap to shoot either. I now shoot with a Gentry Brake and am very happy with it. I prefer to shoot my 375 H&H or 416 Rem Mag (neither have brakes) over shooting the 338 win mag without a brake. To me it just seems like a sharper recoil, though it may be the weight difference of the bigger bores or Im just getting older and more recoil sensitive. I will say that I think that the 338 WM is an outstanding rifle for elk or anything large, in Texas, should be good for Nilgai.