I’ve killed quite a few with a 300wm, a couple with a 308 and seen my daughter kill several more with a 308.
We’ve had no trouble killing elk with a 308. On my daughter’s first bull she hit him twice from opposite sides and ended up breaking both shoulders with 150 grain cheapo federal ammo. Shots were around 240 yards I think.
I’ve also taken shots with the wm that I probably would not have with a 308.
There seems to be some element on this board that thinks magnums are overkill, hardly anyone can really shoot them, too heavy, too loud, too much recoil, etc. Hunters who really know what they are doing only need a .237 pipsqueak.
I think there are some scenarios when the wm will open up some options. I think that the real difference is who is shooting. Yes I’ve had hunters that couldn’t shoot their magnums, but I also really doubt they’d have been that much better with a 223.
