There have been some good suggestions here, but I’ll throw out a little different one: 6.8 SPC. My little one has been killing them with it since he was 6. No recoil to speak of and good ballistics. Just a thought

As for my .02, my 280 isn’t what I’d call “low recoil”

.260 Rem

Yep, there is a noticeable difference between a 7-08 and a 308.

You could try a limbsaver recoil pad, which is very soft and better at recoil absorption than a pachmayr decelerator.

A 120g 7mm-08 will produce about 13lbs of recoil energy in a 7lb gun; 11.6 in an 8lb gun

As long as he stays away from the magnum stuff I would think that the rifle itself is gonna have as much or more to do with felt recoil than the caliber. Bullet weight will make a difference too. If you buy him a little lightweight youth 308 and then shoot 180 grain core locts thru it it’s probably gonna thump him harder than your 30-06. I don’t see how there is any way to go wrong with a 7-08 unless you handload. If that’s the case I’d probably vote .260

Mr Turkey loves those wound forty three’s!

My 20" 308 has some snap to it shooting 150 grain. Surprised to see it suggested so much for a recoil shy youth.

Another good 08 suggestion.

I shoot 130 grain Barnes factory loads through my Finnlight 308 and I'm surprised how light the recoil is compared to other ammo I've shot.

Agreed. in identical Model 7's I can tell a noticeable difference in 7mm08 with 120 gr, and the 308 with 150's. Not earth shattering but its enough that someone recoil sensitive would easily notice it.

. This?

7-08 with 140 grain Corelockts. All you need.

I'll also add that while caliber size does influence the felt recoil also so does overall weight more it weighs the less it kicks as does stock design some stock designs just hurt to shoot. Also adding a good recoil pad such as a pachmeyer decelerator will greatly reduced felt recoil you can also add auzzle break while I wouldn't do it due to ear shattering noise. And also if you reload you can work up reduced loads for whatever caliber to practice with and use the all the time or go to the fullhouse loads for hunting of course rezeroing of the scope would be required

Not starting an argument. But if the kid is going to be 13 next fall maybe he could just shoot the 243 another year. Maybe he is a small kid, but usually by 14 or 15 most boys are much bigger. Heck, when he turns 15 just get him a 300 win mag (how big an ol' boy are ya?) lol

Put a break on any of them. Problem solved.

Forget all the long range hype.

The 6.5 CM is exactly what you are looking for.

Low recoil and plentiful cheap factory ammo available at Walmart (unlike 25-06 and 7-08).

308 recoil is very close to and often equal to a 30-06.

Honestly for your scenario (max 200 yards), an 80gr Barnes TTSX in that 243 is more than adequate.

Semo beat me to it. Let him continue to use the .243 until he is ready for whatever he wants to shoot. they tend to start growing quickly around that age as I’m sure you know. Then get something that starts with a 3.

The 243 is a proven deer killer despite what some here might say.

Hes not small. The less kick thing is as much for me as it is him I guess, hes getting bigger and stronger, im getting older. Its gona come down to 7mm-08, 25-06, and 257. Ive never shot any of them. I hunt with a 223 alot but for hunting in the evenings with a good chance of a 200yd shot I want something a little bigger. Ill study on it a bit and figure out what im gona do. Thanks for all the replies

I have never had a problem getting ammo and never had to leave my recliner to get it. Easy Peasy.

Yes.