RE: 7mm?
I'd vote for the 7mm-08 also if you're stuck on a 7mm cartridge. My 7 mag is my least favorite deer rifle because of the recoil. On paper, it doesn't seem to kick much harder than a 30-06, but it sure feels it to me. Once I wasn't paying attention and didn't have the stock firm to my shoulder. On recoil, my 7 Mag busted my face wide open. I needed 6 stiches in my brow. And worse than the wound was all the harrassment that my friends gave me.
Also ammo is about $18-20 per box for factory cheap stuff. I'd vote for a 30 caliber. A 30-06 will do anything a 7 mag will do, and it seems to kick less. But my favorite is my 308. It gives plenty of punch out to about 300-350 yds, ammo is cheap, and recoils very little.