I recently purchased a new Merkel 140-2. I wrestled with this question and decided on the 375 H&H for the following reasons: Mild recoil, cheap to shoot - $28.00 at(http://www.wholesalehunter.net/outdoor_sports/Federal-Cartridge/Federal-Cartridge-375B-Centerfire-Rifle.html) and is very versitale. If you reload, you can use 70-75 grains of H414 to greatly reduce pressure; and once Barnes comes out with the Triple Shock in .375, the pressure can be reduced even more. My rifle weighs in a 11 pounds, 5 Kg I think. It shoots a nice 7 cm group at 50m dead center and 4 cm high.