"...A man's got to know his limitations..."

I'm not familiar with the 7mm-08, though have used the .243 it sounds in near identical circumstances as you have. Considering the 7mm-08's differences on paper between it and the .243, I'd be pretty confident that it'll perform very well. If it weren't for my fondness for the .243, I'd probably own a 7mm-08 (or two, or three, ...)

Though I have higher-powered scopes, I typically don't like them on my deer and elk rifles. As you're likely already aware in Wyoming, one season's hunt may be out in the open sage, and two weeks later you're busting brush. All but one of my big game rifles now wear Vari-X III or VX-2 3-9x glass, the one exception a Vari-X III 1.5-5x. No, you can't see an antelope's nose hairs at 500 yards, but the trade is being able to acquire deer in thick cover at 3x.

I don't have a surgical reason not to be shooting my magnums much anymore. I simply prefer my standards, particularly the .243, 30-06, and .223. My compliments to you for recognizing that you STILL have the ability to take game, even with a smaller cartridge.