The 308 is a very accurate hunting cartridge. Not all that much more accurate than many others but pretty darn good. If you are looking for an accurate cartridge which has very little recoil and will retain about 1600 lbs ME at 400 yards plenty for even elk. then you won't find many better calibers. To me its a good trade for the hard kickers. The 7MM-08 is in almost the same class if not equal.