Looking to build a rifle for my wife for next years hunting season here in Colorado. Game we will be pursuing- Elk (priority), Antelope, Mulies, and possibly black bear.

I hunt with a remington 700 long range in 30-06. It weighs about 13 pounds. I'm young, I don't mind carrying a heavy rifle through the mountains. Even this with a good pad has too much felt recoil for my wife though.

Ideally for her the rifle will be around the 10lb mark, not much heavier or lighter. Semi-auto to help with recoil, and either 308 or 30-06. Maybe a brake. I reload 30-06 so that would be nice. I'm also contemplating 458 socom since I have a nice AR already. Looking for an effective range out to 300 yards or so.

My short list, some for coolness of owning the rifle:

Browning BAR Mark II safari 30-06 (hunting rifle, maybe LOP too long?)
SCAR 17 (solid all around, adjustable stock, expensive)
M1A (bad choice for optics)
AR style in 308 (heavy)
RRA 458 socom upper

I have a buddy with a couple scar's (16 and 17) that I'm going to borrow for her to shoot.

What other rifles am I missing? opinions?