RE: 300 magnum
 

Here is kind of an interesting article about .280 and other 7 mm cartridges in how they evolved. I don't one one, but it's food for thought.
I've heard many military snipers use .300 WM due to the excellent characteristics about the distant, relatively flat trajectory, speed and force it hits the target with at distance. I know that we may not need all that the military needs for hunting "big game", but many of these traits of the .300 WM are desirable for both hunting and other long range shooting. If you don't expect to need longer range rifle for the type of hunting you do, then find the caliber that suits your hunting style and gets the job done with less recoil. I think that sensible.

RE: 300 magnum
 

well i ended up getting a savage model 16 in .300 wsm and i love it. It had a decent kick to it but nothing i cant handle and i love how accurate it is especially out at the farther distances. I dont regret getting it at all