I just returned from 2 weeks of deer hunting. I left my 300 WSM at home - it's my moose rifle. I used my deer rifle a Winchester Compact Classic 7mm.08 with 140 gr. Fail Safe's and it did a fine job again this year. I shot 3 deer the longest shot being just under 200 yrds (later scoped with range finder), a standing broadside shot which demolished the shoulder lung & heart. The second was also a broadside standing shot at 110 yrds. which was equally as lethal as the first. The last was a 50 yrd shot in front of a dog - 2 shots, one in the uppper leg and the second fatal shot in the shoulder area. IMHP the 300 WSM is more than necessary for deer and recommend the 7mm.08 for deer. Accurate, flat shooting, light weight, little recoil and deadly on deer. It'll also look after a bear if you should come across one. gg.

"The instant you start talking about what you'll do if you lose, you have lost."