I went through this dilemma quite a while back and settled on the then new Remington model 7 in 243. My wife shot that rifle well and used it for many years but I always wanted her to use a little larger caliber. I couldn't get her to give up the model 7 until just last year when she tried out a new Browning BAR ShortTrac. It fits her need of a light rifle with light recoil along with my want of a little more punch than the 243. The only problem now is that I gotta be sure to be somewhere behind her when she starts cuttin loose with a semi auto!!