My 16 year old just pointed out that when his brother hunts with us this year we will be one gun short. I usually talk myself up in gun a bit and have an AccuraV2 ( I said a bit

). 16 year old likes Grandpa's Hawken. I was thinking of buying a new CVA Wolf for the 13 year old.
I'd like to keep it just a little softer in recoil for him but in no way do I want an inferior load for the smaller white tails we have in Michigan.
What would be a good load and bullet for him for deer in that gun?