I prefer the least recoiling cartridge that will effectively kill what I'm hunting. The largest game I hunt is elk so for me the 270 fits perfectly.
The reason this is a priority in my selection is because I am much more likely to shoot a rifle of tolerable recoil far more than a heavy recoiling rifle.
For instance my 270 Tikka that I bought last year fired in the neighborhood of 400+ rounds at the range with plinking ammo and probably 150 rounds of hunting ammo at distances to 500 yds before I ever hunted the rifle. Had my rifle of choice been a 338 mag it likely would have seen less than 50 rounds.
I am far more a proponent of shot placement and good bullets than head stamps. Because I shoot mild recoiling cartridges practice with my big game rifles is well into the thousands of rounds every year.
Lots of practice makes for accurate shooting and shot placement. Good shot placement results in meat on the table.
Shod
