re: Youth rifle help

Angus,
Sounds like you're on the right track. Of the choices you mentioned, I'd get the Remington. OTOH, there's no shame w/ the Vanguard as it seems like a fine rifle. I'm reserving judgment on the Axis for right now until I have some personal experience w/ it.

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Has anyone here shot a 308 with reduced recoil loads? If you have what would you compare it to recoil wise? Any experiences good or bad with any of these? TIA

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When my son first started hunting at 11 y/o w/ a 308 Win, I worked up a reduced recoil load using the 125 Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet at 2400 fps. He killed 5 deer w/ it. Moved him to full power loads at 15 y/o. Planned on moving to full power one year earlier, but stayed w/ the lesser loads as he suffered a broken collar bone playing football. (He still killed 2 deer that year.) Reduced recoil loads still have some kick to them, but not bad. The 308 Win reduced recoil load he shot was about like a full power 243. I'd think that reduced recoil loads in 7-08 and 308 would be nearly indistiguishable.

Other things to consider:
-Yes, be sure the stock fits him. The main consideration is the length of pull. You may end up using a youth stock now and moving to an adult stock in a few years.
-Consider a "sissy bag" the first few times he shoots the gun. Place a small sand bag between the buttstock and his shoulder.
-At the range, use plugs AND muffs.
-Get a GOOD recoil pad installed (or do it yourself if you're a little bit handy). I used "Limbsaver."

I hope you and your son have a great many hunts. Some of my best memories w/ my son are hunting related.