The recoil is mild. My wife hunts with a 7mm08 and it doesn't phase her.She's a average size woman.Over the last couple years since she started hunting she's gotten8 deer all with this 7mm08.I would suggest finding someone with a 7mm08 and let her fire it before you buy one.I think you'll be surprised how mild it is. And yes it does a find job on deer.Both of us have taken several deer with that cartridge.