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25-06 or the 7mm-08 are excellent choices. recoil is about the same - going to come down to overall rifle weight.

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diddo

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243 or 7mm-08 would be my choices. I know a 243 has a range limit of say 350 or so, but how often do you really shoot that far? In Texas we usually hunt from a stand and tend to draw the deer in and take a well rested shot at deer that are not moving or alerted. 243 will do the job. If your wife is like most women shooters I have seen, then she will place the bullet right where it needs to be. My 10 year old has dropped everything he has shot at with one shot and usually puts them down where they stand. Use a good bullet, we shoot 100 grain Nosler Partitions, and it will do the job quite well.

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I started hunting with a 30-30 then moved up to a 30-06. My dad got a great deal on a 243.. started hunting with it and never looked back. Never lost a deer and never had to track on over 40 yards. But i knew my limitations with it I kept all deer shots under 250 with it. I thought I always wanted something with more range on it I went up to the 25-06 and 257 wby... Wife can shoot my 25-06 with no problem. One of the girls at my office who is 5'2 and a 110 lbs put 4 shots with in a 2 inch circle at a hundred yards with my 25-06 and that was the first time she had ever shot a rifle. The only guns I ever carry any more is my 243 and 25-06. I second the good bullets...great bullets in .25 cal guns and under have given small cal rifle a how new outlook

What ever you decide to get her, get her some good ear protection and you just won 90 percent of the battle of her be scared or uncomfortable.