I shot my new RugerSporter 338 win mag and I can say it is totally bearable. I have read that it is punishing, while it is more than a 270 it is not much more than a light weight 30-06. Do yourself a favor and give it a try,I was shooting 225 gr bullets and they should kill anything in North America.This cartridge has the power to reach out and achieve one shot kills cleanly past 350 yards,What more could you ask for.

I notice quite a difference from my old model 70 7mm rem mag to the tikka 7mm I bought last year. Lighter rifles tend to be a bit harder on the shoulder. I agree if you can't handle something you shouldn't be hunting with it. My brother in law got scope rashed by a .338 ultra mag and he's a mess with it now terrible flinching. I told him he should be using something smaller but he's stubborn and doesn't want to feel like less of a man which is stupid, if he's not effective with it change it up.

yep i used to own a .338-378 which is an absolute monster cartridge but with the break on it  it would kick less than my 7mm does

yes i loaded my own... i used a few powders... i used 4831 , n165 , and i used h1000.... the best powder i found was the viht n165

What will your over all leangh be and what is your barrel leangh?  Exactly what bullet as well.

Barrel length is 24 inches.

OAL will prob be dictated by magazine,I kow the distance to the lands is important.But if they dont fit in your magazine your repeater is now a single shot.