"To Mag or Not To Mag?"

IMHO, that is not really the question. "Magnum" does not mean anything --- it is merely an emotional buzz word for folks to fret about. The word "magnum" is a century old marketing ploy. Some of the more powerful cartridges out there do not have the word "magnum" in their name.

(1) Size up the game you are hunting, the conditions, and your ability (including the ability to manage recoil).

(2) Decide on the caliber and weight of bullet and velocity you feel is appropriate for your chosen quarry. Generally, I recommend little tools for little jobs and big tools for big jobs; Barnes and Federal have codings to help you decide if you are uncertain.

(3) Go to the reloading book, find the cartridges that fulfill your criteria and choose the one you want.

(4) When you get the rifle, have it "fitted to you" by a competent individual (90% of rifles are used straight out of the box = big mistake)

EKM