I know people that swear up and down on them as a mid range deer gun. Easy recoiling, 7mm bullets (which are awesome) and readily available, cheap brass. If you would shoot it with a .308, you can shoot it with a 7-08. Load it with the lighter side of the 7mm bullet selection and don't look back. 140-168 grainers are what my buddy shoots and has good success on both pawed and hoofed animals.