The loading manuals are always conservative, I have dozens of them and I can beat anything they show with my own handloads. Yes, Weatherby or any 30 cal magnum cartridge has considerable recoil. My 16 year old son, all 130lbs of him, fires 16-20 rounds through the 300 and has never complained about the recoil, he gets very good groups too. My point is you can learn to accommodate recoil, with practice. Having reloaded both, I find the WBY superior ballistically in every way. I have taken two large mule deer with the WBY using 180gr Triple shocks and the results are devastating! Neither moved a yard. The brass is cheaper for the 300WM, but also inferior to the Norma brass, you will get fewer reloads using WM brass, unless you use milder loads than possible. All said though, there is isn't enough difference to make an issue over, both will perform on any large game on this continent.