Heck i can't argur with buckshot,he has pictures to prove it that a 7mm-08 will kill a elk(and a dam fine one at that).So a 7mm-08 will work,but I'm shure buckshot has put his time in shooting it also.
I don't like the 7mm-08,I was least impressed when shooting deer.It could also be the loads I was using to,who knows.
I will say this if she can handle the 7mm-08 she can handle the .280 Rem and the .280 is a better elk round than the 7mm-08.With the same barnes XLC 140 gr bullet,you could push it at higher velocity and more Ft/lbs.
My wife handles it just fine but then again she is 6'1" and 180 lbs(she's going to kill me for telling you that).I recomended this round to several guys who were looking for deer/elk rifles for wives and they have been veryhappy.I would like to see more .280's walking the woods than .270's and .243's but I can't change everyone.
Break her is slowly to guns and find her thresh hold for recoil,it might be a 25-06 she can only shoot,if that the case I would look at the .260 for her.
BBJ