If one sat down and drew up a design for the perfect deer rifle, He would end up with the 308 or something very close to it. To me its right in the middle of the perfect class. Out to 300 yards it gives up nothing to the 30 cal magnums as a deer rifle. It will deliever 2000 lb of ME @ 300 yards. If one can't kill a big game animal with that then maybe hunting ain't their game.