bigbulls

Personally I would go for the 270 or 30-06 unless he is a small for his age boy.

I just bought my 12 year old son a rifle for his birthday back in February. He got a Remington synthetic 30-06. It is inexpensive and he can beat up the stock with out me cringing when he bangs it against something.

It kicked him a little at first shooting from a bench but I put a limb saver recoil pad on it and it doesn't bother him at all now. He also is able to shoot my 300WSM because it has a decelerator pad on it.

Any of the standard calibers he should be able to handle just fine. Also Remington makes a reduced recoil load in 30-06 for young kids that may be recoil sensative.

I'll also add that I will very likley be getting my 10 year old daughter a .308 come November for her 11th birthday.