Chap
I know you like the 250s for deer and the 300 for elk, but my experience with 240 and 250g bullets on deer is thatthey don't always shoot thru--even Noslers. I don't have a lot of experience with 250g GD, so maybe that judgement doesn't hold up with them,however I like the bigger bullets for better penetration, and shoot thru, that is all.
That is really odd, unless the rages have been long, I can not remember when I did not get a pass thru with a Nosler 260 even at long range. I really want a pass thru but more importantly I want the Hydrostatic shock I get from the 260's in a whitetail. I can not vouch totally for the the Gold Dot either at this time - but from my tortue tests, Huntaway's - test of the 300 Gold Dot, Lee's testimony to their effectivness, and your accounts of the use of the 300 - if really believe they can be classed as a "poorman's Nosler".
As so many have said "what ever works for you"
mike