If elk is on the ticket, then the .300 has a definite advantage. It will launch a heavier bullet faster and shoot a bit flatter with more terminal power delivered to the larger animal. If you handload, the cost difference in ammo is trifling. Too, you can download the .300 somewhat for deer if desired.
....Load................Muzzle(v/e).......300 yards......500 yards
.308 - 180 E-Tip....2620/2743.....2136/1834.....1845/1360
.300 - 180 E-Tip....3010/3621.....2484/2465.....2165/1873
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Well said Lonestar!
I have both rounds & they are quite different despite the fact they are both 30 caliber. In fact I have a 30-30, 30-30AI, 308, 30-06, 30-06AI & a 300WM, yea I shoot 30 cal quite a bit.
Tdn, I noticed you said "Muley's, Whitetail & possibly Elk". Both rounds will cleanly harvest Elk, but the max. range for a quick kill are very different.
Also, with the Mule Deer or Whitetails even, at what maximum yardage will you harvest these animals? That should be a big part of this decision. You can "
HIT" an Elk or a Deer a long ways off with a 308 if you know what you are doing, but the "terminal power delivered to the larger
animal" as Lonestar puts it must be considered.