Good post, Jake. I also lean toward the heavier bullet weights for the soul purpose of slowing it down a tad. I started when i was a kid with a .243 (the deer killingest rifle I ever had). The velocity ruins more meat than the caliber. The heavier rounds in that fast cartridge didn't help that much (Bullet placement). But in the larger calibers I still look for the heavier projectiles. They still get out there and the heft is less susceptible too breezy conditions making them a tad more accurate. Best to know the drop of your individual rifle and make the shot true than to smoke it in at ridiculous velocities. Even my .45-70 outran the report ( I would have mentioned that caliber in my post, but, it didn't qualify as my top all around. I certainly would feel comfortable if it was what I was stuck with, Especially in brushier country.).
Never owned a Winchester. I am partial to the Mauser and the Ruger  (Mausiest modern action)  for a bolt action. Never had to disassemble those bolts...