It's all about
improving the odds fellas. That's why I moved up. Both rifles can get the job done. One can get it done a little better.
As Tyler mentioned, this IS Long Range Hunting and when we talk about hunting, we do so with that as the big picture. This forum is different than 24 hr Campfire and I'm not knocking 24 hr campfire. It's just different. On average, the chamberings used and talked about here are larger because we shoot and hunt farther. A 7 mag shoots farther than a 280 and an STW shoots farther than a 7 mag. A 30 cal makes a bigger hole than a 7 and a 338 makes a bigger hole than a 30. You get it.
With smaller game, cal selection is not a huge deal, but never the less, you will see more deer bang flop shooting them with a 300 WSM vs a 240 WBY. The reason is, or should be obvious. Not saying don't shoot deer with a 240 WBY or 243... just saying the bigger gun is gonna nock'em down quicker.
Shot placement and caliber are too completely different subjects. Saying that shot placement is or can be dependent on cartridge size is a weak and flawed argument. Most of the LR shooters/hunters I know have muzzle brakes on their rifles. I don't think I've see a pic of one of Kirby's rifles yet without a brake on it. I have been to several shoots with other members of the forum and 9 out of 10 rifles wear brakes, even the smaller cals. I shot a 300 RUM for a few years without a brake, with no problem other than I could not see down range hits. Shot placement is about good shooting techniques, not cal selection. There are many many members here with BIG guns that shoot very accurately. Recoil can be managed by good technique and proper equipment. And BTW, the 7 mag does not kick a whole lot less than a 300 WSM.
If you choose to hunt with a 7 mag, then fine.
What chaps my *** is when folks say the 7 mag is as potent as a 300 mag or better yet, "can out pound a 300 mag". Absolutely ridiculous. And these folks are trying to influence others by making these ridiculous claims. That's what chaps me. I have never seen anyone yet back that up with ballistic numbers, yet it continues to be spread.
Back to improving the odds. If you go hunting elk for 4 seasons and bag a nice bull each year with your 7 mag, and drop him quick, you will think very highly of your rifle. If on the 5th year, you shoot one and he runs off into some rugged country miles from the truck, you will go out and buy a bigger a rifle for next years hunt. One or two successful experiences do not paint an overall picture.
Mud, you mentioned that "deer are like small elk" and to me that comes across as there is little difference between the 2. I will say that there is a big difference between a 100 lb whitetail and a 900 lb bull elk. I've killed both and when you walk up to a big bull down on the ground, it makes you think.
Yup Tyler, guess I am a glutton. Sometimes I wake up the next morning and ask myself, did I really jump into that?