The only 7mm-08 I have ever shot was a Remington Model-7 with a wood stock & stainless barrel. I bought this rifle for my wife thinking the recoil would be light and she would love shooting it.
I found this rifle to be a hard kicker and neither my wife or I liked shooting it at the range. I could have added a limbsaver recoil pad to it but instead I sold it.
I think if the rifle has enough weight and the stock fits you well you will love the 7mm-08.
My wife and I live in Montana, we both have two "go-to" hunting rifles for big game hunting. I use a 270-winchester for deer and antelope, I then switch rifles and carry a 340-Weatherby for elk hunting.
My wife shoots a 280-Remington for deer and antelope, she then switches to her 300-win mag for elk hunting.

I have used other rifles in the past (25-06, 7mm.STW, 300-win mag 30-30 & 375-RUM) I still own the other rifles, they just get very limited use anymore.

I think scopes are a personal choice and the higher I go in magnafication the larger I want the objective lens to be. I think the Leupold Vari X-III or the new VX-3 in 3.5x10x40mm. is a great choice for my hunting in Montana. I also think the Vari X-III or VX-3 in 4.5x14x50mm would be another great choice.
My wife has the Vari X-III 4.5x14x40mm. on her 280-Remington, I have shot this rifle in low light and wish it would gather a little more light for shoots in low light conditions.
I have the Vari X-III 3.5x10x40mm. on my 270-winchester. IMHO the 3.5x10x40MM is a better choice over the 4.5x14x40mm. for shooting at the last few minutes of legal shooting light.

Good luck hunting,

WK