The first centerfire for my 11 year old was a remy youth model 7 in 7mm-08. Then I got myself a tikka t-3 in 7 mag. After shooting this gun I quickly traded his in for another tikka t-3 in 7mm-08. It is a much nicer gun, light, great trigger, smooth action plus many other features. I would pick the tikka again.He loves it.