284win or 300wby for Elk

[North Fork]

It's not so much the gun it's where you place your shot

 

[B23]

It's not so much the gun it's where you place your shot

Oh I think most would probably agree, within reason, shot placement trumps just about everything else. A bad shot is just that a bad shot but your percentages of getting bailed out on a bad shot would go up, even if ever so slight, with the 300Wby over the 284 in this case.

 

[Huntslow]

Great advice here. I have hunted and guided for elk and these guys are right on. You did not mention the terrain and that is critical. The 12 pound rifle that you shoot well may keep you from climbing that last slope or leave you breathing too hard for a good shot. Even with horses and a good scabbard you will still carry the rifle quite a bit. I would get a good range finder and practice with it too. Bring a backup gun as I have seen strange things happen. As said before practice a lot in field positions