Picking out my first rifle

[fastdam]

I also would pick .270 win. My rem. 700 loves 130 partitions. For elk I would probably try some 150s.  Perfect gun for your situation.  And there is nothing wrong with a 30-06 thats an extremely versatile round. Also a solid choice.

[bod]

Ruger American in 308 there is a compact version also the 308 will kill them farther than most hunters can shoot, plus it uses less powder than 30-06 or 270. Plenty of cheap ammo too for plinkin.

[headshot5]

Ruger American 7mm-08.   

[Curly]

I wouldn't recommend the American in 30-06. I have one in 7-08 and I tried 140 gr Hornady Superformance ammo in it and it kicked the hell out of me. Kicked way harder than my 300 winmag.  It left bruises on my shoulder for a week.

I bet 150 gr 30-06 loads would recoil similarly,  so I would steer toward the 270 or 7mm-08 but just stay away from the Superformance ammo.

[andrew_in_idaho]

I'm thinking you could save about $20 and get a savage axis. All the same calibers as the ruger and incredible accuracy. Now you can get the axis 2 with the accutrigger

[Mxracer532]

Imo find a used 6.5 Creedmoor or .260
Absolute tack ddrivers and dont kick at all using 140 grain Bergers.

[Colville]

There's few bad answers. Until you start to stretch ranges the calibers are academic with respect to performance on game.  Recoil is a combo of round and gun weight so you can go with a heavier outfit and manage recoil.  For what you described, I think I'd take a look at .260 for modest recoil with a real flat cartridge.

[baker5150]

Ruger American in 308 there is a compact version also the 308 will kill them farther than most hunters can shoot, plus it uses less powder than 30-06 or 270. Plenty of cheap ammo too for plinkin.

 

308

Ammo is everywhere and cheap. 
Recoil isn't bad at all, bullet weight variety is plentifull
People have been killing Elk and Deer with a .308 for decades, and will continue to for years to come.

Or tell her to man up and get a 300RUM 

[baker5150]

This is whats available in a  Ruger American guys.

 
6905 22-250 Rem     
6913 223 Rem 
6904 243 Win
6902 270 Win     
6906 7mm-08
6901 30-06     
6903 308 Win

That 7mm-08 isn't a bad choice either.

Don't discount that 30-30 either.  I shoot out to 300 yards with Leverevolution.

Love my 30-30,  but she is a heavy son of a gun.

[xXLojackXx]

I have no hesitations on shooting at an elk or bear with a .243 or 6.5 creedmor. The 6.5's are usually tack drivers with quality factory ammo and scary accurate if you reload. Just remember a well placed 108gr .243 is more lethal than a pulled 180gr 30-06 shot.

[MP123]

.308 or the '06 are both good choices but will both have significantly more recoil than the 30/30 especially if it's a lightweight gun.  Not terrible or anything but if she's just on the line with 30/30 recoil then a .243 might be a better choice if you're looking for a longer range rifle.

[wooltie]

This article was interesting.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/myth_busting_calibers.htm

In sum, killing most animals you've described from beyond 300 yards is impractical for most shooters.  Most common cartridges will get the job done, and their trajectory [i.e. holdover] is practically the same as far as hitting "the killing zone" is concerned.  His conclusions are based upon those premises and the fact that excessive recoil negatively affects precision.

He argues you should base your decision on recoil and personal preference.  Within 300 yards, the .308 is the most versatile.  If you can handle slightly more recoil, then move up to the .30-06.  The .270 is a great round, but produces more recoil and doesn't offer any practical advantage over the .308.

I dunno, kinda put things in perspective for me.  So I bought a .308!

I like using a 22" bbl in the brush, and 24" in the open country.

[savagehunter]

My twelve year old daughter shoots my savage model 10 308 she weighs about 80 pounds. My go to west side gun. .308 has my vote

[Special T]

I own a 06 and love it. If i were to do it again however I think id buy a 308 and make sure the bolt action was clip fed. Im going to change out my trap door on my 06 but it pains me because it will cost me $300 just to convert my remington to clip fed. 

[stevemiller]

Savage axis

.270  Thats my favorite deer rifle.Wont have no problem using it for elk either just use the proper bullet.