Dave what about elk and moose they are cervids too??? I use a 7mm rem mag for antelope to moose, have no problems handling the recoil, shooting submoa groups and harvesting game effeciently. While I agree the Rem Mag isn't required for whitetail or mule deer it certainly isn't a bad choice either if the shooter can handle/put forth the range time to be proficent. Though that goes with any cartridge IMHO. Also bare in mind other regions have larger subspecies of deer, here a 300lb buck is not uncommon - so what may seem like over kill for 150-200 animal to you in Texas may not be seen as the same for region where weight in excess of 300lbs are a reality.

I agree with your premise about shooting and the target size growing. Though very few shooter's will be able to hold a golf ball sized group at 300 yards, that to me seems a little unrealistic of an expectation or standard. My rule of thumb has always been a grapefruit sized target or like npaden suggest softball. I feel very comfortable with this standard & for me it has proven successful.