RE: 308 or 243?
First of all I agree the 7-08 would be the perfect compromise. Ballistics are very close to a .308 with quite a bit less recoil. I found a recoil chart before and from memory the .243 was like 8.5lb ft, the 30-30 10lb ft, 7mm-08 12lb ft, .308 15.5 lb ft.
I have actually been lookin gat 7-08's too to try and get Mrs Earl into some hunting. I have been leaning toward a Tikka T3 (great reviews, decent price) or a Savage 14 American classic (great reviews, about $150 cheaper than a 700 rem CDL) they are both sweet looking guns. I would like a synthetic stock, but don't really like the looks of the ones I found. I read that Marlin is going to offer there new bolt gun in short action, .243,7mm-08, .308 soon. They are a nice looking (camo) budget gun that have gotten great reviews.