Concept:
A logarithm answers the question: “What power should the base be raised to in order to get the given number?”
Key identity:
\[
\log_b(b^n) = n
\]
Step 1: Express 343 as a power of 7.
\[
7^1 = 7,\quad 7^2 = 49,\quad 7^3 = 343
\]
So,
\[
343 = 7^3
\]
Step 2: Rewrite the logarithm.
\[
\log_7 343 = \log_7(7^3)
\]
Step 3: Apply logarithmic identity.
\[
\log_7(7^3) = 3
\]
Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{3}
\]