I've taken all of those animals with a 300 Win. Mag. with premium 180 gr. bullets on several safaris, and the results have always been superb. A 300 WSM should perform about as well.

This year I'm taking a 338 Win. Mag. to Zimbabwe for plainsgame, and based on what I've seen on elk over the last 26 years, I don't think I'll have anything to worry about.

The truth is, a good bullet -- WELL-PLACED -- from either one of these cartridges isn't exactly going to bounce off. Hit even an eland through the lungs with a good bullet from either one and said eland won't be long for this world.

If I were you, I'd take the rifle that you shoot best and have the most confidence in. Everyone has certain a cartridge that they have a special affinity for and see as sort of a personal trademark cartridge that they have the utmost faith in. If that happens to be, for you, either your 300 WSM or 338 Win., that's the rifle I'd take. Obviously, either one of them is good for 200 yds. and beyond, so that's the way I'd decide it.

I'd also base the decision on which rifle feeds and functions best, handles the best, etc. Those considerations are at least as important as the cartridge itself...........

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