Use double hearing protection - the foam inserts plus muffs. Much of felt recoil is noise. You will shoot better doubling up the hearing protection, as well as the shoulder padding when bench/target shooting.
You don't necessarily need hot loads either. Go for accuracy first.
I was test firing some 200 gr loads today in my .338WM. 69, 71, 73 gr IMR4350. Noticeable difference between 69 and 73.
69 was the most accurate, and most pleasant to shoot to boot.... win, win.
Last edited by las; 04/19/23.
