Hi Joey,

The .308 Winchester (ie. 7.62 NATO) has probably been more responsible for the "near extinction" of elephants in parts of Africa than any other cartridge, (in semi and full auto military rifles). So in fact....the .308 Winchester is capable of killing an African Elephant. But NO the .308 Winchester is NOT a good elephant cartridge.

The .308 Winchester as a hunting cartridge is at its best as a medium game cartridge. (If you had to put numbers to it.....up to 400-500 pound animals.) It will of course kill animals larger than that, and has many times. But is at is best within those parameters.

If you want to make a "mental comparison" of the differences between the numerous sporting cartridges probably the most accepted "ruler" is foot pounds of energy. Every American manufacturer, (as well as many throughout the world, though many Europeans measure energy in Joules and velocity in meter/seconds), publish velocity and energy tables of their ammunition. Foot pounds is not a perfect measurement...but it is commonly accepted....and does give some type of measuring device. You should have no trouble in finding such information of the internet. One very good source of information is:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2.guns.htm

If after checking out the information at this site, you still have more questions, we will do our best to answer.

Welcome to the world of shooting.....I believe you will find it very interesting and rewarding!

P.S. I've owned the SAKO with the manlicher stock chambered in .308 Winchester (I admit it....I was a John Wooters fan) and it was a wonderful rifle!