I don't reccomend hollow points for big game. They are designed for radical expansion and are likely to turn to shrapnel in a deer. I doubt there is much difference in recoil in just 20 grains of bullet weight.

Think about this: if the kid has a bad experience with a wounded animal because of a poorly performing bullet he could be soured on hunting for life. I think the security of a bullet designed for big game is worth a tiny (if any) increase in recoil. We, as hunters, have a moral obligation to higher ethics. It's unethical to hunt with any piece of equipment that might preclude you (or whoever) from providing the animal a quick, clean death. I'm sure you'll want to set the kid down the right path and I"m sure he'll understand if the gun kicks a tiny bit more.

Just take him to the range and get him used to it.