Deer rifle suggestions for a 13-year old grandson?

[Jim in Salt Lake]

I really struggled to find something for my very recoil sensitive son when he was 13. I settled on a 7mm-08 as we go for antelope, deer, and elk here in Utah. When he first got the rifle, I loaded up light loads with 120gr bullets and he had no problem with them. Now that he's 17, I'm using 140gr bullets and what I'd consider normal loads.

I ran into the Vanguard Youth model (Vanguard® Youth/Compact | Rifles | Products | Weatherby.com) by accident in a gun store. It has a 17" barrel, I think, and came with TWO stocks, one youth sized and one adult sized. That took care of the "out grow" it issue and it's a really handy sized rifle, even now that he's using the adult stock. He already plans to use it for his kids (hopefully some time in the future!). Another advantage is that it has a short action that saves a little weight and overall length.

We just finished a range session to get ready for an antelope hunt and Evan was getting 2" groups (3 shot) at 300 yards no sweat. The rifle/cartridge is real accurate and with a 200 yard zero, he can hold hard at any range to 300 yards and take his animal.

Information

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[campperrykid]

Depending on the young man's size , recoil tolerance , and the animals/hunting conditions :
Either a a 7mm'08 , a .308 , or a 243. I stay away from anything but Nosler Partitions in the .243 for deer .
A .308 with the heavier military style cases , loaded with a medium/mild charge of 3031 and a 150 Nosler has done well on deer in the the hands of wives and kids. Another possibility is to replace the 172 BT FMJ bullets in LC 7.62 Match with 150 Partitions . The NP mushrooms well at somewhat slower than typical .308 velocity.
Something like a .260 Rem might be great ,too. But I have zero experience with that cartridge.
Hope this helps.

[m777]

A couple of years ago I loaned my niece, who is a light weight, my marlin lever in .357 mag ( they also come in 44) and she shot a nice sized doe with it. NO recoil, light and cheap ammo. She has since moved on to a BLR in 308.

Clint