For me it is comfort and matching the rifle to the animal being pursued.I hunted for a number of years with a 300 Win mag.It was a mountain rifle (light)the recoil on it was stupid,I hated to practice with it.I sold it and for the last decade have hunted with a .270.More than enough gun and with the right bullet there is no angle I can't get a bullet into the chest cavity with on a whitetail.I can practice with it all day long with no adverse effects.