The .308 is proven. If you can get 165-168 grn Nosler Partitions so with that. The Ruger American is the best cheap rifle you can get. Nicer trigger than the other under $400 hunting rifles. It's got a nice trigger and I've shot over 100 rounds through mine with about 5 different kinds of ammo including steel case crap. No problems. That being said I use a savage 11 in .308 to hunt with.