I’ve shot a bunch of elk with a 300wby and have seen a bunch shot with a 300win. I’ve also shot a number elk with a 7STW using 160 accubonds. My hunting was in country where shots averaged 350yds or more. I also have a strong preference for breaking an animal down on quartering shots by taking out at least one shoulder (I know a lot of folks do not share this view). All killed efficiently. I tend to load rifles for using a single load for deer and elk. Comparing the 300s with the STW, I d be shooting 180/200s vs 160s in the big 7. For elk and moose, I’d always prefer the heavier .308 options. To be clear, There is not an elk or moose alive that could take a well placed 160accubond out of any 7mm cartridge. It’s just at the ranges I hunted, I felt the extra weight was more likely to hit harder and leave two holes even if a shoulder was hit. FWIW, my elk cartridge of choice is a 340wby...which also kills deer plenty well.
