I don't have any experience with these calibers in an Encore yet. I was going to get the stainless Encore pistol in 7-08 a little over a year ago but my gun shop could not get the stainless pistol frame, so I got a Ruger 300 WSM. The .243 would have less recoil and be better for varmint should you choose to hunt them also. The 7mm-08 would be a better choice if deer is the only thing you will be shooting, but it will also have more recoil. You may want to look at the .260 Rem. It falls between the .243 and 7-08. It has less recoil than the 7-08 and you can still shoot 120gr or 130gr bullets for deeror go as low as 95gr for varmint. If I was going to get one now it would probably be the .260 rem.

Good luck on your decision.