Freeloader:

I hear ya. I err a little on the bigger side in caliber, but with my .348 I use 250 grainers in the U.P. for deer and black bear, as opposed to 270 gr which I will take to Alaska, and when I used to hunt more with my .45-70 I would generally use 300gr and leave the 400 gr plus for bigger and badder stuff.

I like some margin for error, but am not about unneccessary recoil, or using way more gun/bullet than what I think is needed.

I guess it's all relative. Now that there is 190 gr factory ammo available, I might even try my old .30-30 again. As I get a little older I appreciate just how light and handy the Winny '94 I have had since I was young is to carry in the backcountry.