RE: Ruger Compact V.S. Remington Model 7
I got my daughter a Ruger Compact in .243. I've hunted with it a few times myself. I kinda liked that short barrel for still hunting. I feel I can shoot it better, offhand than I can my own rifle, a Remington 700 Mountain Rifle in 30.06.
I will say, it has a good bit of recoil, for being just a .243.My daughter complained when we took it out to the range. I was surprised how much it kicked, the first time I fired it. A Limbsaver recoil pad fixed the problem, though.
The Model 7 is also a nice rifle but I have no experience with it.
You can't go wrong with either one. Good Luck making a choice.