I can totally identify with Calvin's example of a big 338 putting the hurtin' on deer and such, but in the case of differentiating between the 'knockdown' power of various .30 magnums, I think it's more dependent on range and bullet construction than anything.
BTW, I'm in no way a naysayer of the big .30s. I have one myself and love the sucker, those 180gr NBTs started at 3090 sure are an excellent means of smacking critters. I'm really anxious to run some 7mm 162 A-Maxes into game though... they are to date the only bullet that has dented a steel plate I shoot at 500 yards for load work.
