they are more complicated than a bolt gun but you could look at the ar-10, the semi auto operation would take some recoil out of it, available in many calibers as well. there are other ways of lessening recoil as well, i.e. muzzle break, porting, ect. do a bit of looking around, it all costs money though : )
I like my FNAR, it's a bit heavy if she is petite but recoil is very light. my wife has shot my Savage fp10 in 308 on occasion and it didn't bother her recoil wise, again it's a heavy gun though.
I agree with her on the 30-06 i think they are too much, haven't shot one in years but i recall not being that fond of it.
it's always going to be a trade off with "mountain guns" light guns are nice to carry but not too much fun to shoot, but if it's a hunting only gun how many rounds is she really going to shoot anyway
good luck
I like my FNAR, it's a bit heavy if she is petite but recoil is very light. my wife has shot my Savage fp10 in 308 on occasion and it didn't bother her recoil wise, again it's a heavy gun though.
I agree with her on the 30-06 i think they are too much, haven't shot one in years but i recall not being that fond of it.
it's always going to be a trade off with "mountain guns" light guns are nice to carry but not too much fun to shoot, but if it's a hunting only gun how many rounds is she really going to shoot anyway
good luck