I didn't realize it was going to be in pistol form either. As for recoil, nobody can tell you that its too much or not. You have to decide that on your own. Some would say that an Encore in .308 is way too much, but thats what I shoot and have no problems with it at all. As for you not wanting to trail and drag a deer a long way, thats also up to you. The 7MM-08 and 243 have both proven themselves as fine deer rounds and as long as you do your part with shot-placement, there'll be very little tracking with either. I wish you the best with whichever you go with.

Carter