I'm aware of the various recoil calculator programs out there. Thanks to all for the input and research. I guess the central issue with this comparison is therelatively low pressures that the reduced load 7 Rem Mag handloads develop to make the same speed as the 7MM-08. While neither one has much of a pop, it seems like the downloaded 7 Mag has more of a gentle push than the 7-08. Kind of tough to quantify exactly, though. And I don't think the recoil programs take this pressure issue into account.

Anyway, I see folks around here regularly purchase rifles for youth hunters that have low recoil - like the .243, .260, 7MM-08 - and when they get old enough to handle more recoil, they trade them in for a 30/06, 7 Rem Mag or even .300 Win Mag to get more effective range (western hunting). What I am proposing here is that maybe we should just get them the 7 Rem Mag right away at age 12. Shorten the stock and let them shoot reduced loads for the first couple of years. Maybe increase the load 100 fps every year or so - until the young hunter is ready for the full throttle stuff. Add spacers to the stock as they grow.

Anyone in the market for a really nice used 7MM-08?