I've hunted with 7mm's for a long time. My first was a 7mm Remington Magnum. Within months of Layne Simpson's first articles I was shooting a 7mm STW. After many years I got a 7mm-08.
Having used them all - I am a confirmed "less is more" guy now.
With range-finders - flatter trajectory is way over-rated. It comes with significantly less bore life, louder blast and way more recoil. All these noticeable detriments - for so little noticeable gain. I think after a life-time of hunting - you probably wouldn't notice a difference on game-killing power. I know I haven't seen it yet.
I still own my big seven - but, almost always - I reach for my little seven these days - with no regrets.
PS - to get a "big step up in power" - I shoot my 375H&H.
And - with less than a tenth of an inch bigger around hole - through the animal (and with similar penetration) - I'm not so sure that even a cartridge like the the 375 is such a "big step up in power" - as some people seem to think it is.
