I read on long range hunting forum many guys going to 6 or 6.5mm for long range shooting, due to less flinching. Which is important at many hundred yards. While I havn't hunted since the 70s I am somewhat of power monger, 30-06 or 45-70, which isn't magnum. My dad went to 308 around 60 for kick. My grandpa shot his last deer around 85 with 30-06. But he was not the type to spend money. My buddy late 60s still 30-06, which is just standard in this part of the conuntry. In 2000 in IN I could find them, one gun shop said outdated.
Bullets do expand a lot better than they used to. So I do understand going smaller. This last year was the first time not making shot at perfect angle. 45-70 was nice.