I've owned 338-06 and 35 Whelen in the past. Both have recoil almost identical to 300 WM and I came to the conclusion my 30-06 loaded with 200 gr and heavier bullets would do exactly the same thing. If I'm getting 300 WM recoil, then I'll shoot a 300 WM.
Every time I look at 338 Fed or 358 I come to the same conclusion that they don't do anything a 308 won't do and for the same reasons. And 30-06 beats both of them with about the same recoil.
There are very good reasons why none of those have ever become mainstream, and never will. But at the same time they will kill stuff and if you just want to be different from the masses there is nothing wrong with that either. I'm content to keep life simple. But if I were tempted to go that route again I'd go back to 338-06.
My 35 Whelen doesn't kick too bad. I run Remington Green box in it and they're not full tilt.
