Either the hunt never took place for unforseen reasons, or the hunt had an unsuccessful outcome, or the op's choice of calibers didn't perform as he had expected, or the ammo didn't give the accuracy expected at 300 yds, who knows why he never posted again. Quote from op "Accuracy at 300 yds will decide because of the the perceived limitations of the 257 with game the size of elk". There aren't any perceived limitations of the 257 Wby at 300 yds, no one in ammo mfg or any professional hunters, or even the Weatherby ballistics chart claim the 257 Wby is a large game cartridge. No one is saying it hasn't been done or can't be done, but not everyone who decides to try it may be as good or fortunate as you. It's like if 10 people say its ok cause i've done it, or I know someone who does it regularly, or I've done it it with a 243, that it gives license to just about anyone who consistently shoots moa on paper to go after elk with the 257. No matter how much confidence you have, things can go wrong. Buck fever, the wind, last minute movement by the game animal(who hasn't used that one) or mis judged distance can all be factors when you get that shot of a lifetime. Instead of asking on the forum, why don't you email an industry guru, or a rifle or ammo mfg company and ask which load you should use in a 257 Wby to go elk hunting. JMO, but I think they would suggest a larger caliber(and the fact that its the only rifle you have should not be enough reason to warrant its use just because someone else has done it) Some guys shoot paper targets for years before they might go on an actual hunt, and having the crosshairs on a live, breathing animal is a lot different from a bullseye on a 100 yd target. The 257 is a great cartridge, and has been credited with some extraordinary results, but the "fact" that it is so flat shooting, carries a tremendous amount of energy(for the bullet weight and mass that it carries), and is very accurate, its limits should not be pushed past its intended use as an all around great medium game cartridge. Maybe my position isn't supported by many, but in the end, the choice is left up to the individual hunter, and the disagreement goes on regardless. Again, JMO on the same 257 for large game subject.