Sort ofa weird question here, but what would you recommend for a light recoil rifle that can handle an elk? Any range restrictions allowed.

My wife, who I have been elk hunting to Idaho once with archery and we are going again in 2007, has started firearms hunting. She is somewhat recoil sensitive. I plan on buying her a rifle for NH deer hunting. The other night she tossed out that if she doesn't get an archery elk in 2007 she would consider going with rifles.

Considering she is recoil sensitive and practice time would be important, getting a big kicker would be a bad idea. I was considering a .243 for local deer which my research tells me is enough with either a 95 or 100 gr bullet these should handle local deer nicely. However this is probably on the light side for elk.

I have little experience in this area. I shoot a .30-06 but feel this might be a bit tough on the kick for her. So.....

what, on the lighter end of recoil, will handle an elk? Remember this is 99% a NH deer rifle with the chance to go elk hunting 1-2 times maybe. Is therea single gun that fits the bill on both ends?