RE: Advice on new rifle needed......
 

Savage makes a youth/women's model .243 that's really small, and super accurate. I think they offer a package that comes with a scope already mounted for about $400'ish. My uncle bought one last year for his daughter. She gave up hunting after one season, so he uses it now for groundhogs and doe hunting. The trigger on this gun is as good as you'll find on any factory rifle. It's a little short on an adult man, but since it barely recoils, it doesn't make much difference. You won't find anything much cheaper or more accurate.

SAVAGE 11FYXP3 YOUTH MODEL

RE: Advice on new rifle needed......
 

.243 is the obvious choice,my wife hunts with the ruger m77 frontier rifle in .243. the scope mounts forward of the receiver on this gun so it keeps her from getting gun shy. It also has a short pull and short barrel which smaller framed people tend to find more easily maneuverable. Also it isn't the lightest gun, therefore has less recoil than the model 7. I do like the model 7, but to me it kicks a bunch even with the mild cartridges, I have one in 7mm-08 which I find gives me a hell of a whollop.