I know very little about 357 max. My brother-in-law started both is boys with .357 mag Marlins. 125 grain JHP. Lots of deer taken out to 170 yards. All DRT. I started mine on a Ruger 77/357 with 125 gr. JSP. Killed one spike at 70 yards, left a quarter sized hole coming out and ran about 50 yards. No recoil whatsoever. Liked it so much I bought me one and my brother in law bought one for himself. Those 125 gr JSP are good coyote medicine too. If I was hunting North of here, I'd use 158 grain up to 180 grain, but that will also up the recoil. I also have a CVA Scout in 350 Legend that would be a good starter rifle. No doubt the .223 will do the job as well, but its more recoil.
If I was starting my son today and knew shots would be 150 yards or less, no doubt I'd go .357 mag. If the max doesn't have much more recoil, then go with it. I hunt with my .357 mag all the time and I have 6.5 Grendel, 7mm-08, 6mm rem, .223, 7.62x39, etc.... But the .357 mag has put lots of meat in the freezers and you can shoot it all day.
