Savage Axis xp
 

My wife has got into to hunting whitetails in the last few years with me, she's been useing a 44 magnum lever action. I was looking at the savage axis xp camo in 25-06 for her and was wondering if these are a decent rifle for the money, I know there not top of the line by for 400 bucks can you really go wrong? I'm also wondering about recoil? my wife is about 130 pounds.

Yes, it's a decent rifle. Additionally, the 25-06 is a GREAT whitetail round. Recoil should not be a huge factor ...assuming the rifle fits your wife properly. My wife is small (about 105 lbs.) and shoots Ruger compacts in 7mm-08 and .308 without issue.

Savage rifles are fine values. The Axis, if I am not wrong, is more or less their entry level long rofle. It is basic. No "Accutrigger".

As far as the 25.06 Rem. round. This is a very good white tail deer round. I would not go under 100 gr. bullet weight. You will find the 25.06 Rem. round much more effective, and in my opinion, better suited for white tail deer hunting than the 44 mag. rounds. I used a 25.06 Rem. decades ago when I hunted a good deal around soy bean fields in western Alabama. Clean kills out to 200 -300 yards .... not a problem.

I was also looking at getting a deer hunting rifle for the girlfriend. My first thought was a Savage Axis in 7mm-08.

But after doing more research and handling some guns, I think we have decided on a Savage Model 11 Trophy Hunter XP - Youth in the 7mm-08. The cost is going to be a little more but for the better scope and better trigger I think its worth it. Might be something you would want to look at as well.

I'd be shopping used guns before I'd buy a Savage.....most used M-70 and M-700 rifles are better values than any Savage

I would look at the "Stevens 200" line. Although, you cannot get it in the .25-06.
This is a much better gun than the axis. It's a little ugly, but it is a solid rifle.
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/stevens200
-Jake

take a look at these;

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=117270

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=117249

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=113410

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=99595

Recoil is a non-issue if you shoot with good form (a 12 gauge shotgun "kicks" way more).