I guess I'm just a wee bit of a 7mm fan....started with a 30-30 for acouple of years, then bought a .280 Rem. in "63. Hunted wuth that until '84 and went with a 7Mag until two years ago, when I got my 7-08. I absolutely love it, and have no intention of using anything else for deer from now on. I would have no qualms about using it for black bear at reasonable ranges or elk to 300 yds. with the right bullets.