You're talking about buying him an adult rifle and getting a youth stock for it. What is the difference between doing that or buying a youth rifle and getting an adult stock for it for when he gets bigger?

I got my 12 year old a Remington Model 7 Youth in .243. When he gets a little older, I'll get an adult sized Model 7 stock for it. The .243 is more than adequate for the deer we hunt in the Texas Hill Country. It's a very nice rifle. Remington also makes a Model 700 Youth that you can retrofit later with an adult sized stock. I don't think they make the Mountain Rifle in a youth version.

There are also nice youth rifles made by Savage and Howa.