RE: what size gun should wife use?
If Mrs Biscuit wanted to hunt deer I would try to team up with a buddy to try a rifle out first. If she is recoil sensitive, have her shoot from a stand position and she how it goes. My co-worker's wife hunts with a Ruger in .257 Roberts and she always bags her game. Not my first choice for elkies but some use the (eek!) 243.