I got my son a Remington Model 7 Youth .243 for his 12th birthday and he used it last fall to take a couple jackrabbits in October and a pair of nice fat does in November. He's looking forward to work weekends at the ranch this summer so he can try for some more jackrabbits and maybepigs, foxes or bobcats. The .243 is a sweet shooting rifle. I liked it so much when I was sighting it in that I went out and bought myself a Model 700 .243... Took two bucks with it last December.

You may still be able to find a Model 700 Youth, which will cost a few bucks less than the Model 7. If you find one, I'd jump on it quick, because I don't think they'll be making it much longer. Howa also makes a nice youth model. I believe it's made on the same action as the Weatherby Vanguard. And, they can all be retrofitted with adult stocks when he gets a little bigger.