ok ok, all jokes aside. I have come to a solution to the problem gents. Here we go.

I think the difference between you two and I is this. I am more confident in my gun and shooting ability than you two are with your guns. And thats fine. Who cares, as long as you can hit the deer in thekill zone. But I don't see any need in shooting a box of expensive shells on a gun that I've hunted with for 4.5 years, on a gun that I've never missed with, on a gun that has held its zero with for 4.5 years, on a gun that hits golf ball groups at 100 yards with. Why do so? Confidence? prolly so. I am comfortable shooting my gun. I only check to see if its hitting in or around what its been hitting at for the past 4.5 years that I've hunted with it. You two, may not feel as confident with your ability/gun therefore you feel the need to shoot all day. Fine.

Second, don't try to talk to me about eithics and deer hunting, I am the number one guy that is pro deer ethics, take a look at my post when talking about deer and ethics and why I am going to school to be a game warden. I am always preaching to my family members that hunt, to shoot their guns before the season starts to make sure the gun is sighted in. I have one that bought a new gun and scope, put it on the gun and then took it hunting without even shooting it. Some it make take a whole box of shells, some it may take all day, for me it taks just a few shots. don't like it, well, can't help you there. Thats just me, I was raised to eat what you kill and kill to eat or starve. My grandparents raised me. This is how we ate during the winter, and during the summer, we ate fish. I never seen my pa go to the store for anything other than milk and bread. We had meat, fish, chickens (eggs) and thats all I ate.

So now to stop thread jacking. Yes, if Deersmoker wants to hunt bear and elk I'd choose between the 300 or the 7mm or bigger. Just choose what your comfortable with and if money is a problem go with what gets the job done and is cost effective.