Soft shooting deer gun

[canadaman30]

Ruger M77 ultralite in .243Win is my go-to for both varmint/predator with 55gr BT and Deer with 100gr. PSP. IMHO,it would be perfect for your boy.

243 winchester would be my choice as well. Low recoil long range capability. They take care of deer and black bear no problem.

Not my choice for moose, but a very capable cartridge

https://www.ronspomeroutdoors.com/bl...243-winchester

https://www.outdoorlife.com/moose-gu...s-416-rem-mag/

https://www.outdoorlife.com/top-moos...s-and-bullets/

[werner.reiche]

Are you planning on using a scope? If not, a .30-30 or .44 mag.

[mosquito]

Some reading material, I don't agree with the first couple until they got to the 243 though and pistol rounds sound good but I have no experience personally so defer to others.

12 Great Deer Cartridges for Recoil Sensitive Shooters
https://www.fieldandstream.com/deer-...oil-sensitive/

[SongDog]

A heavier gun definitely helps. I have a Sako .308 with laminate stock, scope, all metal gun.

My brother has a BLR .308 and the recoil is pretty sharp shooting it right after the Sako. The BLR is a lot lighter so more energy is transfered to the shooter.

My vote is for .243, 25 cal. 90-120 g bullet will be more than adequate to shoot deer with.

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[Ata83]

my tikka 270 recoils softer than some 0.243 ive shot.
I would think the manufacturer and model also makes a difference.

[DanE]

My vote would be 7mm08 only slightly more recoil (very slightly like 1-3lbs more in may rifles) quite a bit more down range thump over a .243

[rick_iles]

Ruger M77 ultralite in .243Win is my go-to for both varmint/predator with 55gr BT and Deer with 100gr. PSP. IMHO,it would be perfect for your boy.

Nice piece of kit !!!

[Woodsman]

I don't know where some are getting a 44 mag is a light recoil deer round?
It sure isn't a light recoil in my Ruger 96/44.
Pushes far more than my Ruger M77 in 25.06.

[oaknut]

I don't know where some are getting a 44 mag is a light recoil deer round?
It sure isn't a light recoil in my Ruger 96/44.
Pushes far more than my Ruger M77 in 25.06.

Really?

My 8 year old daughter has shot my 96/44 without flinching yet she finds the recoil from my 204 too stout.

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[blasted_saber]

I don't know where some are getting a 44 mag is a light recoil deer round?
It sure isn't a light recoil in my Ruger 96/44.
Pushes far more than my Ruger M77 in 25.06.

I agree with this.

I had a Ruger 77/44 and the recoil was approaching my bolt action 308. It was stouter then my 3030s for sure.

I think the easy answer to the OP is a 243. I have a Savage Model 10 in 243 and the recoil is quite light, but the gun itself is fairly heavy. That model would not be ideal for the OP