I have waded through this diatribe and can only add this.....the 7mm-08 is a fine cartridge, however it is far from the "ballistic twin" of the 7mm Mauser. I own both and have fired/reloaded/chronographed/switched powder/primers.....and on and on. The 7x57 Mauser is a superiorbig gamecartridge by 75 to 100 feet/sec with the same bullet. The recoil issue is negligiable and the two cartridges are worlds apart. If you have some reason to shoot a mid action then the 7mm-08 is for you. If you don't mind working the bolt about 3/8 inch more and getting 100'/sec speed then the 7MM Mauser is for you. Both rounds are ideal for North American game, however, we get to the 30'06/.308 controversy real fast. The 308 has spawned many fine calibers, however, the '06 birth was a result of the 7mm Mauser and the numbers are the numbers. Regards, Rick.