I still think for a beginer first deer rifle the 25-06 would be the best,since he will have a chane to get a elk rifle later.
I was started on the 30-06 @ 12 years old and I don't care what anyone says about recoil,if you wanna hunt so bad that it almost kill's ya,you will not mind a little kick.If he can handle the 30-06 Shato then all means get him one.Since you metioned 2 gun future then I would say 25-06 for deer/antelope,and then a 30-06,7mm Rem mag,or 300 WSM for elk(later on).
BBJ