Hey, Mike, drop me a PM. I have a .50 that I have been shooting for about 4 years now. It is pretty light, but we can work up slow, and see what your boy can handle, maybe meet in the middle somewhere. I would say the .50 would be a min for elk too, but what do I know, I haven't shot one yet...YET... (hopefully going to change this year, only a week or two before your son gets a shot at a bull!!!)