I have a savage 7mm-08 wood stock (heavier rifle) and a savage 16 308 with a syn stock. The 308 is far lighter in recoil. Don't ask me why but the 7mm-08 sucks to shoot. I would say 308 just because its a do all round. Pretty much hunt anything with it with ammo available anywhere at a decent price. You will pay about $10 more per box using 7mm-08