well i think u should hook up with somebody that has a magnum and shoot it. mags are great dont get me wrong but if you flench to much when u shoot them there not for you. a 7mm-08, 30-06 or 308 are also great cartiridges due to the vast variety of loads and dies and such for the 06 and 308 theyd be great guns. i own a 7mm rem mag and its a great hard shooting long range gun but it might be a little over kill for hogs and deer.i would personally go for a 308 myself, i no it sounds stupid but what if u find urself ammo less on the night of a big hunt and your in a rural town and they have a dinky gun shop or convenene store that sells ammo most likely they wont have wsm's or mags. 308 and 30-06 would be the top cartrideg on there list. but then again thats just my experience and knowledge.