Redfish...do not let recoil be an issue when deciding between the 2...my buddy has a 270 and when he shoots it alongside me at the range it blasts and recoils like a 7 mag according to him.I find the recoil is a draw between the 2. They both kill exactly the same(deer drop at the shot) If you are going to occasionally go Elk/Muledeer hunting it would be hard to pick between the two...they both shoot so similiar and pretty much what one can do the other can do also. The only benefit of the 7mm is the use of 160 and 175 grain bullets and that is about it and the rifle will most likely be 1/2 heavier because of the magnum barrel contour. If you want the best of both worlds consider a 270 wsm or a 7 wsm .....I can hear the critics howling now.