You might want to also consider the .260 Rem caliber.
If you stick with a 7mm08 and can reload, the Speer 130gr flat base spritzer works well. I have shot that since the early 80's in my 7x57 (higher velocity than out of a 7mm-08) and have had great results even out to approximately 400yds.
Good luck

Ruger makes (or did) a great youth model 7-08. I much prefer it to a 243 for kids. I reload 140 ge nosler Partition. Can't beat it.

great cartrige,went from 25-06 to 7mm/08,want to have better performance at longer shots and be able to elk hunt but have moderate recoil.Has not failed me yet!

Get her a Model 7. Use 140-grain bullets. Don't skimp on her scope.

Or anyone.

I have been shooting a 7-08 since 1984. I now own 3 and I have NEVER FELT UNDERGUNNED!
I have always shot the Hornady 139 gr sp (interlocks).

Why not just get the .308?

Does anyone have experience using it for larger-than-deer animals such as caribou, moose, ...?
Thanks.

Perfect whitetail round

My son loves his 7mm08 and has shot three mule deer bucks with it and a cow elk. None of them went far. I bought him a savage with the accu trigger and a Nikon 3 x 9 scope for less than $500.

It is similar to a necked down .308, with a .284 diameter boat tail bullet. It is said to retain more energy down range than the .308.
I am curious what the difference in felt recoil is between these two rounds.
I do know that there is significantly less recoil in a .243 (a necked down .308) compared to a .308. I use both regularly and can watch the impact of the round on the animal with the .243, but cannot with the .308. Both guns are heavy barreled with target stocks.

https://www.snipercountry.com/7mm-08-vs-308/

Not much difference between the two rounds. .308 is a bit cheaper and may be a bit more readily available.

Won't notice the extra recoil of the .308 when hunting.

I'm getting a rifle for my boy this week and have been trying to determine what's best.

I think the .308 will be the best choice for a gun that will last his lifetime.

I saw a 12 year old shoot a moose with a 7-08 this past season. It stood there and died from having both lungs punched.

Contact Savage Arms Custom shop. They can make pretty much anything you want.

Check out the 7x57 Mauser. Good ballistics . Light recoil.

I got one last year since I decided I don’t only archery hunt (hadn’t rifle hunted for big game in 15 years). Killed 2 whitetail and 3 antelope in wyoming (from 75 yards and out to 225 yards), a desert bighorn ewe in Nevada (215 yards), and then shot a cow elk in Nevada (315 yards). All one shot kills using 150gr nosler AccuBonds that I hand loaded. Great caliber, very little recoil. A well placed shot is more important than size. If the gun is so scary that you flinch when you pull the trigger and are afraid to shoot the gun, then it won’t do you any good.

.308 Savage model 700 bull barrel. rounds are easily available in all shooting formats.

Youth models are often a trimmed stock. If you check with manufacturers you may find they have stocks you can advance into as they grow.

.
Osky

Google Karmojo Bell





note - 7mm-08 is probably 7x51........ compared to Bell's 7x57, but basically the same thing.

I think mossburg makes one that's a compact model with a couple pieces for the stock to make it longer or shorter. I have a 7mm.08 never shot anything but paper, I reloaded some low recoil rounds for my nephew. He was 12 years old and as skinny as u could be. He didn't mind the kick. I will be buying my 7 year old son a rifle for his birthday, it will be a 243. Like someone else said if they r afraid of it equals no meat in freezer and a disappointed kid. If u were closer I would give u mine to let her shoot to see if she likes it.

The 6.5x55 has been used for over a century by the Scandinavians on moose and caribou and the 7-08 will do anything the 6.5x55 will.