In this case I would go with the 7mm-08 strictly because it has slightly less recoil, all other things being equal.
IMO It's hard to beat a 140gr 7mm bullet for deer hunting, and it doesn't matter if it's fired from a 7mm-08, 7x57, 280 or 7 Rem Mag.
Last edited by popeye2; 10-01-2009 at 04:30 AM.