I am quite happy with the 308 in fact its my go too every year during deer season. I would have very little problem hunting something bigger with it as well.

The only thing the 30.06 has on the 308 is bullet weight selection. You can shoot 220gr bullets out of a 30.06 but you won't find much more than 150,165 and 180s for the 308.

the 308 is the best of all worlds IMO. about 3lbs less recoil, short action, slightly lighter rifle and the ammo is the same price as 30.06.

This coming from someone who owns a few 30.06 and 7mm-08 rifle as well. For me its hard to come up with something that much better for the lower 48 than the 308.

the 7mm-08 i have is more stout recoil than my 308 as well. It really has alot to do with the rifle. I know some here say that the 7mm-08 is superior, but its not. Ballistically very close, but ammo is $10 more a box and harder to find. Big disadvantage there.