7mm-08 or 6.5

Aren't all hornady polymer tips red?

Pick the gun that works better because the animals won't know the difference.

Honestly, I am not sure that you can go wrong, with either cartridge, as long as, you get her a gun that fits her and that she likes (whatever it is about the gun that causes her to like it - which might be color, shape, feel, etc.). They are both fairly moderate recoil and do an excellent job on deer sized game. I generally hunt with my 7-08 when I am not bow hunting.

6.5Creedmoor Vs 7-08 Rem?
Years ago shooting shilouette matches I started with the 308 (130, 150, 168MK) shot the 243 (75, 85, 90gr), however at 500 yards it wasn't consistent at knocking the rams over. Went to the 6.5x55 (120, 140)Swede and up'd my scores big time. But the Rams were still an issue. Than the 7-08 (130, 150, 168MK)Rem arrives in my Disabled Marine Hands the issues are solved and shilouette Lovin became my new song.
I've been hunting since I was alittle boy and now I'm 72. Over those years I've hunted coyotes, bobcats, hogs, bears, deer and elk. In my opinion the 7-08 has more than enough bullets of varying weights and brands to kill anything that you place the crosshairs or open sights on.
The 6.5 caliber has been around longer than most of us have been living. The 260, 6.5 x55 Swede, 6.5 Creedmoor all shoot the same bullets. Bullet placement is and always has been the key to a clean kill.
For the Past 15 years the rifle I hunt with for hogs, bears, deer and elk is the 7-08 with Barnes TTSX 140gr bullets. I have made shots out to 570yds on elk and they dropped dead right there. For awhile I hunted varmints with it and the recoil doesn't blow me off the target. BUT it's more gun than is needed.
The 243 has gone by by.
For varmints it's the 22 Hornet with 40gr Blitzkings.
2017 I left my 7-08 in camp because we were spotting elk out to 1000+ yds in steep terrain. So I took my 300WM with 208gr A-Max. Spotted a herd at 780 yds down in a gully. The wind was blowing from the west. I hiked 1790 yds due east and than followed the drainage down into the elk. Surprise I walked in on over 30 head and shot my elk at 65yds. DRT.
Bottomline:
Shoot the 7-08 and you'll never be sorry and down the rode you won't miss the 6.5 Creed.

I

.338 RCM said:

If she likes the red tips Norma makes a 160 grain Polymer tip bullet, and that or the 165 grain solid in the old green box would be enough for elk!

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i Have 400 162gr A-max and couple hundred ssts for her and I load Barnes 145gr for my 280 and have some 168gr Bergers

You are set! You might check out the .280 Remington Ruger Hawkeye it's a nice hunting rifle, and it's compact with a 22" barrel!

.338 RCM said:

You are set! You might check out the .280 Remington Ruger Hawkeye it's a nice hunting rifle, and it's compact with a 22" barrel!

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I'll look around for one so she can get a feel for it her family are all Ruger fans so she might like one

I LOVE my Model 7 in 7mm-'08-- Very handy, more versatile than .243 (ok for elk), light recoil, and the short barrel (18.5") is a good fit with this caliber. I'd say the choice depends on the type of terrain you'll be hunting. I'd take the Model 7 for forest and the 700 in 6.5 for wide open spaces.

7.08 hands down for Hunting. And there are alot of bullet options that won't kill her shoulder.

jbo829 said:

Wife is getting into hunting and was debating on which gun to buy her I have the option to buy a Remington 700 6.5 Creedmoor or a Remington model 7 in a 7-08 both are price the same I reload and have a lot of 7mm Bullets but I also have 160- 147gr eld match factory rounds for the 6.5
Which one would you all recommend and why

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The 6.5 Creedmoor is flatter shooting and retains more energy. For a beginning hunter it would also be better because of less drop. Sight it in at 200 meters and she would be good for just about any ranges she might hunt.

I have a 6.5CM and 7.08. only place the creedmoor retains more energy is past 500yd. Inside that my 7.08 dominates it. But it's a great target gun for long range that's a fact that can't be disputed. That's what it was made for. And it excels at it.

Federal's factory ammo ballistic graphs for the 6.5 Creedmoor 140 AB vs. the 7-08 140 AB show the 7-08 is about a 4% ~ 7% winner across the board. graphs only go to 500 yards though...

jbo829 said:

It's a tough choice
She wants a 243 cause she hears other huntresses use them but I would like her to shoot one of the above

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While both are awesome cartridges and I understand that 6.5 is on more shelves at the moment, I believe you answered the question, she wants a 243. Whatever the reason, that is what she wants.

For Better or For Worse if she wants a .243 then you can easily make that work for deer and even within limitations elk. just good bullets collection and a good discussion with her as to range limitations and bullet placement. I would much rather see someone put a 95 grain 243 right in the boiler then see someone high hit with a 6.5 Creedmoor and have to chase. I will still saying that properly loaded a 308 gives you the broadest possible range of the choices you have mentioned and I will say that a monolithic 110 or 125 grain bullet will kill any deer walking on the easily. And recoil is very moderate.