Give her the a-bolt.  Any scratches will be something for you to remeber her first hunt by.  I hate to say it but ---if she gets a moose the rifle would make a great gift to her!

My first rifle was also a 303 enfield, bought for $7.77 with a case and box of AP.  It was one of only a few rifles that I ever sold...and I regret it.

BEAR

Like the other guys said Give her the A-Bolt. I think if it were me I would also take her to the range and help her get used to it. You never know you might end up with a lifetime friend and maybe a hunting partner. I think if more kids had an opportunity like this we would have more support for our sport.

Wing master

Guns are tools of the trade. Why own one if your afraid to scratch it. Every nick and scratch is a memory. She  will remember using it long after you have forgotten about the dings she may put in it.

In fact ,after the hunt, why don't you give it to her. I gave my niece a .270 that I built for a special sheep hunt ,and she won't let anyone else shoot it. I gave my brother my 44 carbine for his grand kid to hunt with. Hell I'm a long way from rich and have to save dollars to buy a gun, but the look on those kids faces was worth every penny I scratched out. 

I have a Fox Steringworth that I'm going to give  a young fellow up in Cody. His grandad owned this gun before me about 40 years ago, and I think he would take a shine to it.

I bet there are enough of us here on BSB that would take up a collectiono f 5-10$ apiece to help you defray your cost.

A-Bolt it is I'd say, seems pretty unanimous!

It'll fit her better and have plenty of umph for moose I'd suspect if loaded with the right pills.

Nice deal you letting her use one of your rifles.  Like the guys said, walk her through the process of handling and shooting and be with her as she gets some range time and if you're going with her tag along on the hunt if that's o.k.

Don't they make some zip-on cammo chaps? Or some non-adhesive backed tape that will protect it from all but the most heinous gouges.

DD

Essex;

If the scratch thing really bothers you, look for a Hogue overmolded to put the gun in.  Not a lot of money invested & you do get a pretty good aftermarket stock - I sure like mine.  Just a suggestion.

And by the way, good on ya for getting another young person into our sport.

900F

Kingpin wrote: If she raises The Flag in weather like that, tell her I'll give her her own rifle..........................Kingpin

And I'll load the ammo!

Now there's a good American lady patriot there

Hmmm . . . gonna sound like a horse's patootie, but I wouldn't loan a firearm to anyone!  Not even my mother!  Sorry . . . too many complications . . . legal etc in this modern society.  If she trips over it and stubs her toe . . . it is YOUR fault because you loaned it to her . . . sadly . . . true.

Lest you think I am without compassion . . . sell the thing to her dad for $50 and pat yourself on the back for getting a new person in the sport . . . or $20!  You are not using it anyway . . . and it is just a THING!

All that BS aside, the 7mm-08 is probably just right . . . although a moose is a big dude.  Encourage her to use premium bullets and practice, practice, practice. 

I have to disagree Pocketnavy,

I am sure their are alot of people in the world that would jump on an opportunity to take advantage of someone's thoughtfulness. But not all people are like that. in fact in my neck of the woods I would be willing to bet their are very few if any people that would be.

As a great wise man once said. "Dont sweat the petty things...and dont pet the sweaty things" George Carlin.

Wing master

I'm real finicky too about loaning my guns out to anyone.  I've found scratches and rust spots on them after.  But I still let friends or relatives borrow them if they want.  I think it's worth getting someone involved in the sport.  Like you said Pocketnavy, "it's just a thing".   I like keeping my rifles and handguns in "as new" condition, but I'd rather have someone leave their mark on them as a passage into the shooting and hunting fraternity.   Hell, I make enough marks on my own guns by carrying them, dropping them, and just general abuse sometimes.   Now whenever I've borrowed someone elses gun, I take care of it like a newborn baby.  I wish people would do that with mine.

It sounds like Essex lives in a place where folks understand that borrowing anothers possesion means that you take care of it, and return it in better condition than you recieved it.   I say go for it Essex.  

Wing master wrote: Like the other guys said Give her the A-Bolt. I think if it were me I would also take her to the range and help her get used to it. You never know you might end up with a lifetime friend and maybe a hunting partner. I think if more kids had an opportunity like this we would have more support for our sport. Wing master

I vote the same for the same reasons...we need youth and understanding in our hobby.

If you are willing to loan it... show her how to used it...go for it.

Bojon

I think the 7mm08 will kill a moose sure enough,

     But a first time hunter and a cartridge that is margional for a potentialy dangerous animal, I stand by what I said give her the browning and back her up. I must admit to never hunting a moose, but a gentelman I shoot with at the range goes every other year, And has killed many, he says for him nothing smaller than a 35 caliber and his rifle is a 358 norma.    ...tj3006

I built my granddaughter(age 12) a 7mm-08 on a left hand M70.  She is busting having to wait for deer season this year.  Her first head of big game was a 225+ lb.s Wild Boar last spring.  Should be no problem using a 7mm-08 for moose.  They have taken many with the old 6.5mm Swede.  Lawdog

The last moose I dropped was dead before it hit the ground, shot placement is really important.  The 7-08 will do the job, if it is on the spot......If you miss with the 7-08 what would you do with a great moose killer like the 338 or 416 mags.

BEAR