Having owned and shot the 7mm rem mag and the 7mm08 rem I have tosuggest the 7mm-08. It is the most fun I have ever had with a gun. It is a flat shooter and real fun to build confidence with as it doesnt kick much. Mine is a kimber 84m and only weighs 5.5 LBS but it is well designed with a very straight stock & pachmeyer recoil pad. The chances of needing whatever advantage you will gain with the 7Mm rem mag are about zero for deer, and for me even elk. In the 30+ years I have deer and elk hunted the farthest shot I have taken on deer is about 220 9no problem for the 7mm-08. The longest for elk has been about 150-170 yards-again, no problem for the 7mm-08 spitting 140 grain Hornady light magnum interbonds. The 7mm-08 in my experience just wasnt worth the extra length, weight and recoil of the firearm. The 7mm-08 shines with a light rifle and a 22" barrel. Ammo is relatively cheap and very available these days.