Natman- I've used the 308 for critters both large and small. I wouldn't hesitate to use one on most anything in the lower 48, and I really learned what its capable of as an Army sniper. The only deer I ever "lost" was a nice 6 pointer in Tn. with a well-placed 308 150 grain hornady from about 20 yards. Very little blood, and we looked for hours. Naturally, I spent the night just sick about it and doubting my abilities and wondering where that bullet REALLY went. Well, my hunting buddy found him about 400 yards from where he was shot on the way to his stand the following morning just by chance. He told me from what he could tell the shot placement was fine. Unfortunately during the night the coyotes had been on it like Larry the cable guy at the Golden Corral. My buddy sawed off the antlers and brought them back. Last I asked, they are still hanging with my shirt tail and that Hornady case. Sometimes, things just happen, and its not necessarily anyone's fault, or the gun's, or the bullet.