Swedish Mauser...
6.5x55 is a good suggestion too, I think; fairly popular in the U.S. Not as mild on recoil as a .243, but nothing real substantial either. Recoil would be about like a .30-30, but with more impressive ballistics, particularly in the range department. Plenty of factory loads available.
Ruger chambers their M77 for 6.5x55 (did recently, at least).
I like 7x57 too, but it just doesn't seem to be very popular with American rifle manufacturers.
All in all, though.....make the wife happy. Can't go wrong with a .243, at all.
Get that 1891/30 too. Just because.....well, any good man deserves one. They're crude, tough, reliable....manly...and, once you fall in love with it, you'll swear it's actually a handsome rifle....and everyone else will think you're nuts...until they own one. Excellent rifle for the price these days. Tons of cheap ammo available and some decent hunting ammo available too.