RE: 7mm?
There are a number of new reduced recoil rounds available for many rifles in the past year or so, if you want to try a 7MM consider using one of the reduced rounds and working your way up as you grow into the rifle. You may also wish to consider some hand loads for that caliber, if your father doesn't reload, he may have a friend that is experienced in that pastime that could help out. You can get excellent results from lighter loads for deer and other thin skinned game and still have the magnum rounds as you move up.