ORIGINAL: DannyD
Although the 308 does not have a huge amount of recoil, it hasquite a bitmore than the 243. Twice as much by some accounts.
Are you worried about the recoilbecause she has shown any issues with what she has shot in the past? You mention you have a 30-30. Does she have issues with the recoil on this gun? I can tell you the 243 is less and the 308 more than the 30-30
As far as performance, IMO for deer, both will be fine
She shot her first deer with the .223 wssm last year and it performed pretty well. My father-in-law lost a deer with a 22-250 this morning and I've decided to retire the 22 cal. (as far as she goes anyway) I've been wanting a short action, but just wasn't sure of the recoil for her. If the .308 is more recoil than the 30-30 that may be a problem. Don't .308's and .243's have the same size of case?