If you haven't shot much, or very little, a 300win mag isn't the best choice. Especially in a light rifle. It's not like the recoil is crazy, but it is alot for someone that doesn't have the experience shooting rifles. And it's not the cheapest rifle to shoot either.
I would suggest keep the 300 win mag. Don't sell it, but buy a used or cheap rifle chambered in something in the lower capacity 6mm(.243) - 7mm(.284) range. 243, 6mm creedmoor, 6.5 creedmoor, or 7mm-08 range. Lighter recoil, available and cheaper rounds, can shoot larger game if needed. And much better to develop your shooting skills with.
If you just plan on the 300 win mag and nothing else, do exactly as others have suggested. Buy a good recoil pad, and shoot the lightest and slowest rated rounds you can find, they will recoil the least. And preferably shoot for awhile standing offhand, kneeling, or seated, before you try from a bench or prone. That way you can handle the recoil more manageably, and get used to shooting the rifle.
As for the clamp on brakes, they do work, they are pretty big and ugly. Don't do as well at reducing recoil as a thread on brake, and have a fairly small range of diameters they fit for each size, so you have to be carefully at measuring and ordering the correct size. You can get a rifle barrel threaded for cheaper than the price if a clamp on brake.
Whatever route you choose, don't give up or get intimidated. While not a pile of recoil, the impact velocity of the recoil with a crappy recoil pad can hurt quite a bit.
I would suggest keep the 300 win mag. Don't sell it, but buy a used or cheap rifle chambered in something in the lower capacity 6mm(.243) - 7mm(.284) range. 243, 6mm creedmoor, 6.5 creedmoor, or 7mm-08 range. Lighter recoil, available and cheaper rounds, can shoot larger game if needed. And much better to develop your shooting skills with.
If you just plan on the 300 win mag and nothing else, do exactly as others have suggested. Buy a good recoil pad, and shoot the lightest and slowest rated rounds you can find, they will recoil the least. And preferably shoot for awhile standing offhand, kneeling, or seated, before you try from a bench or prone. That way you can handle the recoil more manageably, and get used to shooting the rifle.
As for the clamp on brakes, they do work, they are pretty big and ugly. Don't do as well at reducing recoil as a thread on brake, and have a fairly small range of diameters they fit for each size, so you have to be carefully at measuring and ordering the correct size. You can get a rifle barrel threaded for cheaper than the price if a clamp on brake.
Whatever route you choose, don't give up or get intimidated. While not a pile of recoil, the impact velocity of the recoil with a crappy recoil pad can hurt quite a bit.
