We have the 1hp Cabelas grinder and have used it for 7 years and have over 50 deer and 2 pigs through it with ZERO problems. I originally bought a 1/4 hp and took it back the same day. The bigger the better when it comes to the grinder. The #32 throat works great, you don't want a small throat....our grinder will eat up the meat at any size chunks as fast as you stuff it in. All the tendons and and stringy crap that will stop a smaller motor will just end up around the blade to be cleaned off when your done. If you can swing the extra $$ go with a bigger motor..