I agree with the general premise of this thread (or at least what i think the general premise was) that not everyone who shoots a magnum does so because they want to feel macho or want to replace marksmanship with raw power. I deer hunt with a 7 mag and I've never shot a deer that I couldn't have killed just as dead with a .243 (in fact I have killed a couple with a .243 too). That being said, a 7 mag is much more powerful then a .243 and though it might not make a difference on a perfectly placed shot it certainly does if the shot is less then perfect. No i'm not advocating taking bad shots, no i'm not saying a deer gut shot with a magnum will drop on the spot and die. From time to time things do happen though and i'd much rather put the biggest hole possible in them. I also kind of roll my eyes to those who say "oh you waste so much meat with a magnum." You shoot a deer through the shoulder with a .243 or a 7 mag you are going to end up throwing most, if not all, of the front shoulder away due to it being all bloodshot. You tuck either one in the crease of the shoulder you might lose some meat but you will be able to salvage most of the front shoulders...again, its all about shot placement. I know some people are recoil sensitive and if that's the case by all means shoot a rifle that doesn't kick as much. But I would hardly classify the recoil of the 7 mag as oppressive. I grew up turkey hunting and deer hunting with 12 gauge shotguns, and after shooting three inch magnum 12 gauge loads the recoil of a 7 mag is a gentle caress.