RE: What gun for a youngster
I would realy consider the 25-06,this one of the greatest beginer cartriges made IMHO.If not look towards the .260,7mm-08,257 Roberts.or even the lowly .300 savage.
Make of gun's don't know what you price range is but I realy like the Remington CDL,Winchester Sporter LT of the Savage 110 to name the few.
If he's small or short limbed you might conside the Rem Mdl 7 Stailess/Synthetic in .260 Rem.
When my boys are old enough to hunt it's 25-06 all the way around,one Ruger #1 and one Ruger M-77 Stianless,Laminated and the old man gets the Rem 700 BDL(Like I said I love the 25-06).
BBJ