Been thinking about trying a new caliber deer rifle. I’ve narrowed it down to these two. For those who have experience with them, which do you recommend ? I feel like I could find ammo easier for the 308. But I hear the 7-08 shoots a little flatter and less recoil

Following I’m looking at one for my son. I know the 7mm-08 has less recoil but I’m planning on suppressing it anyway.

You nailed it. We have killed a truckload with both, but I generally prefer the 7mm-08 in the 120 grain bullet, either Barnes TTSX or Nosler Ballistic Tip. I don't really care for the heavier bullets in 7mm-08. Shoots flatter, less recoil.

308 would be my choice due to more choices in bullet weights and of course performance

308 with 125g Nosler Accubonds or 130g TTSX will be hard to beat.

I love the 308, but I have a 7mm-08 and it’s the cats meow.

Barnes 120 gr is some bad medicine on deer. I’m red/green color blind and even I’ve been able to see the blood trail.

Yup

I like my 7mm-08. Use 140gr Fusion and 150gr Norma, only had one go more than 30 yds after shot. I have considered getting a .308 just for ammo availability the last couple of years, but I have plenty of 7mm-08.

7-08 all day

Either one in a Model Seven is a match made in heaven.

308/7mm08: That's like wondering if you should shovel your neighbor's dog turd off your lawn with a round or flat shovel.

Either one. They are almost exactly the same. .308 does have some more load offerings but they are essentially the same for most applications.

I own several 7-08. But would recommend 308 solely on ammo availability.

Comparing red to green apples. Both are great rounds

7/08 with lighter bullets yes. The heavy bullets in short barrels are abysmal.

Im looking to move my son up from the 350L to a bolt gun in the near future, something he can use through his teenage years. Sounds like the 7mm-08 maybe the way to go, suppressed it should have much recoil at all. The new ruger american gen 2 looks like it may be a good fit with the adjustable LOP, he is currently shooting about 11" LOP on his AR. Im hoping ruger comes out with some different finished for it from what i saw online.

Look at the 6.5 grendel ballistics. Low recoil. Plenty of range. They are available in AR platforms, bolt action and single shot

Same here, can't go wrong with either.....the .308 ammo is readily available most to the time, where as you have to do some searching to find 7mm-08 ammo, depending on the brand and gr you are shooting....

There isn't a deer you would shoot that would know the difference.

you likely wouldn't notice the difference, but in theory, the 7mm-08 is ballistically superior to the 308. I'm a big fan of anything 7mm, so the 7-08 gets my vote every time.