RE: Caliber for son's first deer rifle?
I'd go with the .308 using Remington's new Managed Recoil Ammunition. That load shoots a 125 grn. bullet with plenty of power for a 200 yd. shot. When he gets a little older/bigger just switch to the regular .308 loads and he'll be set for quite awhile without having to buy another rifle.
Good luck...NYCHunter