The 300+ buck I shot in Sask I used a .308 Win with a 165 gr Bearclaw from a Federal High Energy factory load. Jim Shockey used to tell clients to bring a .300 mag, but his website now says:

"Our bucks are huge-bodied, upward of 300 pounds, so I suggest rifles of .270 Win. and up. Any of the magnums are excellent choices."

Jim said he was hosting about 225 hunters a year in his SK operation when I last talked to him, so that is a lot of opportunity to observe what works for clients. Obviously, a .300 mag is not needed for these deer, but I think some folks feel better if they use one.

jim

LCDR Jim Dodd, USN (Ret.)
"If you're too busy to hunt, you're too busy."