If its strictly for elk definately go w/ the 300win. look at the ballistics, 150gr in a 7mag and 180gr in the 300, both the mid range for each respective caliber. The difference in drop from one to the other at 300yds is 0.03 of an inch!! so basically no difference in drop BUT.... the energy is @ 20% less in the 7mag. That said the 7mm is a very good elk caliber. But the 300win is better, especially if your leaning that way anyway. If you find recoil to much, then put a brake on it, my wife(130lbs) shoots a 300win that is ported.