I have both a 7mm-08 and a 308 and recoil is about the same. Both Savage rifles with the 308 being syn/stainless and the 7 wood and blued. That being said i would take the 308 all day. 30 cal bullet, more options in bullet choices and ammo everywhere. I used to really like the 7mm-08 but since i bought the 308 it stays on the shelf for now. Again, recoil feels exactly the same to me. The 7mm-08 actually feels sharper with recoil which i don't care for.