Looking at buying a new Medium action rod for throwing lipless cranks, small swimbaits, buzzbaits etc... I was looking at the 7' hmg casting.  Noticed the power rating on the medium is 1/4 - 3/4 and wondered if this felt more like a medium heavy.  Would like the option to throw lighter stuff on rare occasions. Anybody out there have this rod? 

That rod will work for what you want to use it for. It has the power to set larger diameter hooks and if there is one area that may be tough it would be treble hook baits. You will have enough power to rip a lipless from grass but the rod is a bit stiff for fighting a fish hooked on smaller trebles but with you wanting to throw single hook baits this would be your best bet.

For smaller lures/trebles, just adjust your hook set.

 

I have 2 of the HMGs, one 7' MLF spinning rod and the other is a 7' MF casting rods. If I only had two rods to take fishing, these would be the two. The medium caster you are asking about is stiff for a medium rating, but it's no different then other Pure Fishing brands. One caution is on reel choice. The diameter if the grip is smaller than other rods, so paired with a Revo SX I found it uncomfortable with its bigger gear box. I now have a Shimano Cardiff 100A on it and I find it to palm better with the smaller round reel, but I am a round reel junkie.