Youth/ladies rifle -- recoil management. Thoughts?

[ActionJackson017]

All,

Many threads to be read discussing HBC's most venerable topic of "which calible to buy", but after going through a dozen or so threads I couldn't find much on recoil management. To skip to the punch, grandpa settled on and acquired a 7mm-08 for my son and we spent a day at the range yesterday conditioning the barrel and sighting it in amongst other fun endeavors. It's the Ruger American Compact bolt-action with synthetic stock and matte black barrel. Hell of a little rifle and I was quickly shooting reasonable groups at 100 meters as we sighted it in and conditioned the barrel in short order.

Having said that, my quick observation on the rifle was my 75lb 11 y/o son would *not* be able to handle it's recoil until he's a little older/heavier. In fact, I will go so far as to say my 30-06 is more comfortable for me to shoot. It was spitting Hornady 139 grain interlocks down the range and this morning my shoulder feels distinctly abused lol.

Considerations I would like others thoughts on:
-Easy place to start -- upgrade the butt pad. Sims Airpad 10824 would be an easy upgrade but my go-to sites don't appear to carry.. (@todbartell, can I order in through you if you see this?)
-Install a muzzle brake. Seems overkill on a 7mm-08 and not sure I want to go this route. But.. 3 gill? clamp on?
-Lighter load. Drop down to 120 grain?

Bottom line is my experience yesterday suggests in my mind my son is going to have to put on another 10-15lbs before he will be able to shoot this rifle well. What have others done for their youth and wives rifles?

Cheers.