I have hunted elk with my Ruger #1 .375 but never got a shot at one. Do I need a .375 for elk? Hell no, I've hunted elk more with a 30-30 and .308 than I have with the .375 and would again in a second without hesitation. However, I bought the .375 just because I have always wanted one, don't have a good reason other than that. I figured it was in the safe not getting much use so took it elk and deer hunting.
About the recoil, like everyone else has said, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. My .300 Win Mag has worse recoil and the worst rifle I have ever shot was my grandfather's Win model 88 .308, that thing smacked me in the face with every shot until I got a bruise.
If you want to hunt with one, more power to you, do you need it? Like I said, hell no but why not.
mnimrod45
