I'm with 48th and Longrifle. My son is a very big 11 year old. He has a "cricket" rifle (bolt, single shot .22) and does a good job. Sometimes I have him carry it unloaded while I hunt so that I can watch him. I think the most important part is training and marksmanship. He's ready to graduate to a bigger gun. I'm going to take him bird and rabbit hunting before I let him in the field with a centerfire. Legal age for big game is 12 in CO.

Calibers: 243, 7mm-08, .308 and 30-30 are all considered light recoil and can be found in youth guns. All are based on the .308 casing except the 30-30. In CO 243 is the legal minimum. All are capable of taking up to elk with the proper bullet (this is a judgment call). Recoil can be managed with lighter bullets and a good recoil pad.

Rifles: Single shots are good for trainers. Both NEF and Rossi have single shots of good quality that can be had for just over $200. The Rossi does not come in 7mm 08 but in 243 and .308. Both come in either youth models or adult. Rossi has a 'triple play that comes with a barrel for each; 243, 20 ga shotgun and .22 rimfire. It was on sale at Cabelas last week for about $260. They are also working on a barrel program to add barrels to the existing receiver. An NEF will run you about $250, but you can send it to the factory and have any barrell; shotgun, black powder or other centerfire caliber added for about $70. Both have websites with good info.

Both Rem and Browning make good bolt youth guns. Youth guns usually have shorter barrels. I might opt for a regular sized gun and then put a stock with a shorter LoP on it. Either way you end up buying a new stock as your kid grows.

Spud