As a gunsmith my recommendation for all first time shooters, ladies or men, that want a single gun for everything is a mid weight .30-06 with a quality recoil pad such as the Sims LimbSaver or the Pachmyr decelerator. Recoil is manageable in all loadings and if you find that it is hitting you too hard, there are a wide variety of lighter loads that you can step down to. The '06 can handle anything from long range antelope hunting to dense cover big game up to and including the big bears and moose. Practical ballistics are equal to the 7mm mag (unless you're shooting super long range, which a newbie shouldn't be doing anyway) and it doesn't have the recoil. It'll be much more pleasant to shoot than either the 7mm or the .300 which means you'll enjoy it more and spend more time with it at the range. The added proficiency will more than make up for any small losses in ballistics it gives up to the .300 mag. and the ammo is cheaper which also means you'll shoot it more. And, it won't require a muzzle break which means you'll enjoy shooting it more. (If you haven't guessed, my take home message is; whatever you get, shoot it a lot.) The big key in getting your first rifle is getting one that fits you properly. Shop around and fondle as many different styles and makes of rifles as you can before you buy. Have fun!