[Brian Pfleuger]

The difference in recoil to a new shooter between any two relatively full power loads in a 7mm-08 is going to be about zero.

On paper, light-bullets with light powder charges generally have less recoil. "Less" doesn't matter if it's still "harsh". Most new shooters, particularly small, young and/or meek, and not going to enjoy the recoil from a 7-08.

Here's a calculation from QuickLoad:

139gr Hornady SP, 24" barrel max load Rl-17, 2,972 fps, recoil after gas effect, 15.39ft/lbs, momentum 87.62 lb.ft/s

Same bullet, powder with 10% lower max charge, H4895, 2,907 fps (97.8%), recoil after gas effect, 14.02ft/lbs (91%), momentum 83.61 lb.ft/s (95%).

That difference isn't going to matter one whit to a new shooter.

Possibly, if you cut it down to a 110gr and went with a powder that maxes out about 10% lower charge than the highest velocity charges but still gets close to the same speed, which would be a 110gr Speer over IMR4895, you cut the recoil energy down to 7.98 (49% reduction) but the momentum is still 81.12, only an 8% reduction. Still, that load would be considerably more comfortable, taking out more than half the "punch" and leaving more of a "rolling" recoil.

However, load a 139gr Hornady over a max load of Trail Boss and you get 2.46ft/lbs and 42.44 lb.ft/s, a reduction of 85% and 52%, respectively. That load would be entirely tolerable for even the smallest, most recoil averse shooters.