If your looking for a pump action rifle, Remington makes the 243 in thier Pump rifle. Also 308 and 270. If you want to step down a size or two for shooting at the range the 243 would be the ticket in a pump. You could go to the Ruger All Weather synthetic stainless bolt gun and get the 260 or 6.5x55 swed. Both are mild kickers but deliever the goods for game up to elk. The Model 7 Remington is a light weight rifle and comes in the excellent 7mm08 which was mentioned above. Another caliber mentioned already is the 25-06 although I don't think that they are a big step down in recoil. They are not bad but its a pretty good size cartridge. Check on the available calibers in the different companies light weight rifles. The Encore rifle is pretty light and comes in almost every caliber there is and would give you the option of a hunting handgun with inter changable barrels. Confused Yet?