i bought my wife a remington model 7 in 260, i was actually looking for the -08 because i have a encore pistol in -08 and reload, well a friend of mine was selling the 260 and gave me a great deal, had been used one season, and he is meticulous on everything he owns. now this is the gun i pick up 98% of the time, it's a dream to shoot, so far the caliber has proven to be very accurate, and it's a dream to carry, and great in a portable climber, i have 2 7mmmag's a 7mmSTW, that don't see alot of action anymore unless if i'm hunting a big bean/corn field. as far as the age my 9 year old grandson has been shooting it for 2 years, being a boy he thinks the recoil is "kinda cool" but i believe the young lady could handle it, if not it won't be long, and you got another great little deer gun, btw i would say the 260, 08, the 6.5 sweede, will all be close, imo, the one advantage of the -08 is the broader bullet selection