Jerry_d, I bought my wife a 7mm-08 Marlin XS-7 in a youth stock because of what I read about the 7mm-08 kicking less than the .308 or .270.
My bad, I know gun weight has a lot to do with it, but my rem 700 .308 kicks less than her 7mm-08 and my rem .270 kicks about the same. I was shocked. I'm gonna add weight to her stock and maybe a simms recoil pad- if that doesn't work she'll be forced to use managed recoil rounds (which my son used this year on a doe).
If that is the case I will be selling this gun for something that kicks less with full power rounds. (like the savage youth with muzzle break).
I wish I would have just stuck to the .308 since I already own 2 and could have kept bullet stock on hand simpler.
When I shop for my next rifle the 7mm-08 is one that I look at, along with the .270 & .308. I'm not sure which way I'll go.
Lighter recoil will not be a deciding factor, since I didn't find it to exist on the one gun I've shot in it.