Most anything starting with the .257 Roberts and going up from there will work well. The 260 remington and 7mm-08 are both fine choices. I'd stay away from the .243, it's not enough gun for consistent performance on deer. A lot will cry foul at that statement but I stand behind it. The .243 in the hands of slob hunters is responsible for a lot of wounded deer around here.

My wife shoots a 7X57 (which is about as close to being a 7mm08 as you can get). My son and daughter shoot a .243. So far I like the .243 less as a deer rifle. I talked to a fellow recently that uses one for deer and bear and says with Nosler-partitions it kills a lot better. I bought some Fedral Perimium factory ammo loaded with 100 gr. noslers recently and will shoot a couple does this fall to see how they do.

The three deer I've seen shot with the .243 all died, but none left a blood trail and one was not found for a couple of days.

Robin

All above mentioned are good i.e. .243, 25/06, .257 Roberts, .260, 7mm/08, 7 x 57, 30-30, and the .308 will all do............
But If you're looking for the least recoil with a solid reputaion don't overlook the 6.5 X 55. Of the ones above I'd go with the 7mm/08 or the 7 x 57. If you get her a 7 x 57 then all she'll need is a box of 140's and a box of 170 round nose and a little practice......she'll be set for a whole bunch of hunting.

..I will go with,proline 25-06..that is what i will be
useing,im 6.1 250 pounds male....

..JESUS IS COMING BACK BE READY...

Another vote for the 6.5x55 from me. I'm thinking that that will probably be my primary deer gun this year, and use the 06 for the black beer. Whichever cartridge you decide to get her just make sure the gun has a good recoil pad and you'll be doing her a favor.

Heres my list:

243 win
250 savage
260 rem
6.5x55
7x57
7-08
270 win

My first choice IF YOU CAN FIND ONE would be the 250-3000 Savage. I bought my wife one when Remmington brought it out in the 700 classic several years ago. This is the lightest recoiling real rifle that I have ever seen. With 100 gr X bullets or nosler BT,s it drops deer like a bag of rocks. My next choice would be the 296 Rem. Same reason. I would not go bigger that a 308 until she gets used to shooting.
On the other hand. My friends wife is about 5 ft 8 inches tall and weighs about 110 lbs. She just took three head of Game including a Loin. Cape Buffalo and One of the big Antelope over in Africa using her husbands 416 Rem Mag. I have shot that gun. Its a pretty light weight Winchester rifle with a 2.5X4 power scope. The recoil is BRUTAL. I tried to chrograhp 20 loads for him. I got 18 of them shot and for the life of me I could not pull the trigger on the last two. My brain told my finger NO WAY man.

ahhh too many good choices, i dont want to be in your shoes. they will all take deer effectivly, so take your wife to the gun store and see which ones they have in stock and get the one she likes best

propmahn
you can never have too many guns

Thank you for the help. I am down to the 260, 6.5x55, 7x57. Think the 7-08 might have alittle too much recoil.

You and she will both be happy with any of the above.

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting