Asked the same questions for my daughter who is just getting back into hunting after taking a few years off with babies, school, etc.

She had used my .308 but didn't like it much.

We bought a 6.5 Creedmore the Weatherby Women's version built on a Howa action. Camile I think

Fits her perfectly. Recoil is not a issue. I bought her 500 rounds of ammo when she got it and she has burned though 300 or so. Saving brass so I can reload them

Fit is everything. With that recoil is much less of a issue.

Lefty