The 300 Win will serve you well on deer and elk. The Sandero is a very nice but big rifle, depending on the type of hunting you're doing will determine if it is the best choice.

As for the caliber 300 win mag is very versatile round and a great caliber for NA big game. Since I have one in my collection, it would be my first choice for a Elk/Deer Combo trip out west.

As for the gun choice the Sandero would probably not be my first choice. Did you specifically mention the Sendero, because you already own it? Or are you looking to buy one specifically for this hunt?

In either case you should probably think about how you plan to hunt as you are considering which gun to buy/bring on your hunt. Will you be hunting from a stationary position looking out over a large open area where you may need to take a long range shot? Putting in miles climbing up to vantage points spotting animals then stalking in range to get a shot? Still hunting timber trying to spot your game and get a shot off before it sees you?

While you've selected a real versatile round the gun is more of a specialist, sort of a target/long range hunter hybrid. This a pretty hefty gun at ~8.5 lbs and it'll probably weigh-in closer to10 lbs once you put a scope on and get it loaded. With the composite beaver-tail stock and 26" heavy contour barrel it will likely be great off the bench, bi-pod, or shooting sticks, but it will also likely be front heavy and difficult to shoot off-hand. So you have a great gun for hunting from a stationary position where you have a stable rest and may need to take a long shot. For Spot and Stalk hunts you have a gun that'll get the job done, but you may wish it were a few pounds lighter if you will be climbing up and down mountains all day. For still hunting it may be a bit too unwieldy to make a quick offhand shot.

So what do you think your style of hunting will be for this trip and in the future?

The gun Smith I use brother has killed a couple of deer with his 460 weatherby. He did this for practice for a Alaskan hunt.

There have been many discussions over the years on the subjects of too much or to little gun for deer and other game such as elk, bear, etc. The 300 Winchester Magnum cartridge is one of those often included in these discussions.

This cartridge is one of the best 30 caliber cartridges out there when it comes to covering a wide range of hunting applications. In the hands of a skilled reloader, this round can be loaded with a wide range of bullet weights, with from 130 gr. to 220 gr. The 300 Win. Mag. is also one of those cartridges that shows up at long range shooting competitions.

As far as use on white tails? Using a 165 gr. bullet and typical reloading manual's midrange load recommendation, this cartridge will deliver enough down range energy to cleanly kill a typical white tail at distances far beyond the long rang shooting skills of most shooters who I know, including myself.

As far as elk? I know squat about hunting elk other than what have read, what I have seen on the TV shows and a very few discussions with friends that have hunted them. The 300 Win. Mag. set up with a quality, tough, weight retaining, mushrooming bullet in the weight of 180 g. up seems to be one of the highly recommended. choices.

The Sendero? Scoped up, that is golng to be a relatively heavy rifle. Best be in good physical condition!

I use 180 in my 300 wby and they did wonderful. The 300 win I gave my cousin who wanted to try hunting I told him to get 180 remington corelocks.

That rifle was arms 770 I won never shot it. He seems to like it.

Great cartridge but no way I'd tote a rifle that heavy.
Do yourself a favor and look for a lighter rifle.
Even if you are a big young strong guy a heavy rifle will become a pain in the ass in rough country.

Everything is relative. When you break down the fine .300WM cartridge you see that it's simply a 30/06 on steroids, one that works about 100 yards farther out than the venerable '06 which might be the most popular deer chambering out there still today. In other words, a 30/06 is about the same at 100 yards as a .300WM is at 200 yards using similar bullets. Not a ton of difference there, IMHO.

I've killed lots of deer with .30 cals including .300Sav, .308, '06, .300WSM and .300SAUM. All worked great and at the moment of decision, the .300 mags felt exactly the same when the trigger was squeezed off. A hunter concentrating on what he's supposed to be concentrating on at the time of the shot simply does not feel recoil. Simply said, if the rifle suits you, don't shy away because some might call it too much gun. I've never really understood that term having also taken deer & hogs with such cartridges as the .325WSM, .338 Fed, .356 Win, .358 Win, .350 Rem mag, .35 Whelen, 9.3x62, .375 Win, .44 mag, .444 Marlin & .450 Marlin. Dead is dead.

Good luck!

ahaberman25, Is the what you are refering to as a Sandero:

300 is great for everything. Stay with the heavier bullets and you will have less damage. Minimum 180 grain and preferably 200.