I'm more in line with the late "Cactus Jack" O'Connor-- a 8 & 1/2 to 9 lb. BA long extractor controlled feed (Mauser K98)rifle with scope- in 7x57mm, .270Win or 30-06 with appropriate bullets for the species and range-
American has always been a Country of "performance minded men- The Andrettis, Ed Iskendarian, Carroll Shelby with cars- and Roy and now Ed Weatherby with CF rifles. A good friend, solid frame like the Chicago bears linebacker Brian Urlacher or Dick Butkus- won a .300 Weatherby with travel case, sling, scope and two boxes of 180 grain WB ammo- like me, he had been used to a pre-64 Std. grade M70 in 30-06--
Now, when you sight in and shoot from sandbags, I do agree that the felt recoil is waaay more than in the hunting field- but that .300 WB kicks hard on both ends. If the Weatherby is a later series made in Japan, I would have no qualms about having it Magna-ported to reduce felt recoil (and increase muzzle blast)- if it is a first series made by Sauer in Germany I would not--
If your son is an experienced rifleman and hunter, he's OK I'd guess, but if not and he's taking "Granddad's rifle" out of familial loyalty, that harsh recoil might discourage him from going further into hunting and shooting--
I also agree with the discussions of both the Win .338Mag and the superb .375H&H magnum calibers- I have neither, I have a "split the difference" G&H Mauser in .35 Whelan with a Zeiss scope- if I get an elk tag, that's my first choice- but I am also taking a M70 in 30-06 scoped as well--
