Ah, and there we have a difference of opinion. What is the minimum weight needed: 150 gr? 200? 250? 300? 350?

A 100 gr bullet out of a 243 with the right "shot placement" is more than enough gun for any elk! Slip it through the ribs and through the heart: dead elk 100% of the time.

However, I shot a big cow on a steep up hill angle with my muzzy several years ago. My "sweet spot best shot placement" is 1/2 way up the body straight above the elbow. Due to the steep angle I held low and probably held too low on the 120 yard shot. Anyway the bullet went right through the bottom knuckle of the elbow. Now maybe I shouldn't have taken that shot, but my 350 gr FPB went right through the bone split into several chunks. A couple when through the lungs and one took out the heart. I was glad I was using the 350 gr FPB instead of the 300.

Now maybe the 250 gr thor would have been just as or more effective, I really don't know. But all things being equal and knowing in spite of my best efforts, shot placement is not always "ideal" I prefer to err on the side of caution. You probably wouldn't use a 200 gr thor (if there was one) on a big bull elk. Why not? Because your minimum comfort level is with the 250. Mine happens to be with the 300.

Can you conceive on any situations where the 300 might be superior? If so and they shoot just the same, why not? Of couse you can keep going: if 300 is good, 400 is better! I realize there is a point of no return, but I see no down side to using the 300 with an open sight muzzleloader (Colorado hunt) when my max range is 150 yards. Using with a scope is a different matter.

Use what is comfortable for you