I posted sometime previously on this thread. Now the topic has changed and I can add to the "fray".
In comparing the similar .30/06 and .338/06 (mirrowed by the .308/.338Fed), I can safely say that the .338Fed WILL give under identical circumstances (admittedly seldom encountered) give an additional 100-200fps over the .308 with same bullet weight. This is a result in the difference in the expansion ratio of the larger bore. Not a secret or "mystery".
With the .338/06, I get 2,950-3,000fps with a 180gr bullet (discontinued 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip) This is .300winmag speed AND energy. The 50% increase in frontal diameter means that the .338 penetrates slightly less, but only slightly less due to heavier construction of the .338" bullet, but leaves a broader permanent wound channel which I can attest to. On deer size game this is moot, but on larger game such as elk it DOES matter. With a 200gr bullet, I regularily see 2,800fps, 2,650 with a 225 and 2,550 with a 250gr bullet. Just hold a 250gr .338 in your hand vs. a 200gr .308 and it's EASY to see the difference.
But, again, how much this means in the lower 48....If walking up on an elk carcass you left the day before to find a ~600lb grizzly with his head up to his shoulders in it from 50yds away, it makes a HUGE difference in your confidence as you creep backwards to go back to camp and cry in your beer over the lost elk meat.... while you explain to the local game officer why you left the elk carcass to it's new owner...... HE will understand....! And when I built the rifle, it was equally comforting to know that I would have 5 in the magazine and 1 down the pipe vs. the 1+3 of a .300mag....
I wouldn't even consider using one of the "uber" premium bullets such as the Barnes Monolithic in the .338Fed. The extreme length of these bullets limits the powder capacity reducing the velocity potential. Use of a lighter bullet is not a remedy to a ~$2.00+ bullet when they aren't needed. The construction of the .338" bullets is part of the attraction of this bore diameter.
For deer, it doesn't get any better than the 200gr Speer "HotCor". At around $18.00/50, they are accurate, hold together well but expand sufficiently at 2,600-2,700fps m/v of the .338Fed and would be my first choice. The 200gr Hornady is right behind it and as an "Interlok" performs like the much more expensive 210gr Nosler Partition in this bore diameter. For a one bullet-do-it-all, this is probably "it". For a "long-range" bullet, the 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip (discontinued) was excellent. The 180gr Accubond is un-neccessarily expensive. Instead of this, I use the more recently introduced 200gr Hornady "SST". I got several boxes of 225gr "SST's" when they were much less expensive today. This is probably the best "compromise" bullet in my .338/06. I run it to just over 2,700fps with a compressed load of RL19. It shoots near moa which is something of a "miracle" from my $60 Adams&Bennet barrel. Most other loads are 1.5-3.0moa for 3-shots. Don't overlook the 200gr BallisticSilverTip. This is the discontinued 200gr BallisticTip with the funky black coating and gray plastic tip. It's just right for the .338Fed. About $25/50 last time I priced them from MidwayUSA.com.
But, going back to the elk carcass/bear deal, the next time I'll be carrying my 8.8lb Ruger M77mkII Hawkeye "African" in .375Ruger, so the 10.3lb ".338" "question" won't be on my mind.....But, I can really say the 235gr Speer and 250gr Sierra BtSpt don't mess up a deer as bad as my .300RUM and like Elmer Keith and Jack O'Conner agreed, perform on deer about like a .30/06 with a 180gr bullet.
But 'BOY'!, YOU OUGHT TO SEE THE DIVOT (TRENCH) they leave in the ground AFTER they exit the deer!
And I "love" the look I get when they ask me "what kind of rifle are you hunting with "this" time!
And no, the recoil isn't THAT bad.... About like a .300mag or a 12ga shotgun w/1oz slug...Actually less than the .300RUM which has drawn blood on "both" ends with every deer I've shot with it...
I still think that you'll adore the little Kimber... but I think "I" would have gotten a 7mm08... just a personal thing... I shot a 7mm08 Kimber one time that was a marvelous little rifle...