I won a raffle a couple years ago and had my pick of several guns. I picked the 6.5x.300 Wby First Lite Vanguard. It came with a factory muzzle brake. I scoped it and shot it. Then I sold it. Just too much recoil without the brake, and I don't like to have a brake on a hunting rifle. You don't always have time to put on ear protection before a shot when you're hunting. I've owned and shot lots of other Weatherbys. I'm a Weatherby fanboy. I reload. Factory ammo isn't a problem for me. But I'd rather shoot a .257 or a 7mag Weatherby than the 6.5x300. Maybe in a Mark V the recoil would be less severe. I don't know. It wasn't terrible. Not as bad as a RUM, but just not enjoyable to shoot. I didn't need it, so I sold it.