OK, here's the deal.
I shoot my .375 Ruger with about as much recoil worry as I do a .223! I don't think of it at all. And my .375 weighs just 7-3/4 lbs.
Everyone has a different level of tolorance for recoil. Does that mean I should stop at YOUR recoil level for MY best shooting? Rediculous!
That's for everyone to decide for themselves.
I have owned a dozen or more 06s, and like them a lot for their lighter weight, and shorter overall length in thicker stuff.
I also have a .300 WM, and like it a lot for open country shooting where ranges can stretch a ways farther. They are both tools, and both handle their jobs well for their intended purposes. But, they are tools. Asking which is better is like asking which is better, a boat or a plane! It depends on the job it is meant to do.
My favorite caliber for most of what and where I hunt is my .375 Ruger and 300 grain RN bullets. But that does not make it better or worse then someone else's choice.
But it's MY choice.
I like an exit hole from any angle on large animals.
P.S. I like BIG holes!
