NOTICE: this is my opinion and I know it will draw critics! Back 20 years ago when I use to hunt a lot out West for Elk and for deer in Alberta Canada. I would tell you a 7mm Rem Mag or STW was perfect for any size deer even at distance. I Shot a few Northern Canada whitetails over 325 pounds. Now for Elk I would much rather have more power to anchor an Elk before it gets a chance to get into the thick fallen timber were we hunted in NW Colorado. I would much rather skip right past any 300 Mag and have my .338 Win Mag in my hands. What really convinced me was when I saw actually saw 2 rounds from a 300 Win Mag hit a 5x5 bull center chest at 400 yards. A blood mist blew out both sides of its chest as I looked through my scope as another hunter in our party shot. The bull looked as if it was about to fall when it suddenly perked up I figure from adrenline. The bull took off running in to the timber on the other side of the mountain. He fired as he could see it going in between the trees, hitting it 7 more times in neck and chest. I had walked over from my hunting spot when the fellow with the 300 WM ran out of ammo. The guide tried to put it down for good with a back up 30-06. The bull finally fell and laid its head down dead (we thought) all the sudden the bull raised its head, stood up and started walking off as if it was not injured. The guide hollared at me to finish him off. The bull was 400 yards away. I aimed at the top of his back, fired, we heard a big “whoop” we had not head with the 30’s. It reminded me of hitting a groundhog with a 22-250. As soon as the 225g Hornady him his legs folded under him and rolled on his side- dead. I have nothing against the 30’s, I know there have been many, many, deer, elk, moose fall to them. But for me, when it comes to big game hunting, if I think my 7mag is too small , I skip right over the 300’s and pick up my .338 Win Mag. Samuel Hall