The 7 Mag is a good choice, basically because it is well-suited for elk and moose as well as deer. I started using the 175-grain bullets in mine in order to damage less meat on deer-size game. Nearly blew the front half off a large mule deer once that jumped up right under my feet and was quartering away at about 35 yards when I shot it with a 140-grain Nosler Partition bullet at 3350 FPS MV. One front quarter was completely ruined! Try to avoid hitting edible portions with the 7 Mag, if you can!