Go for the .300 weatherby mag. That will show him what its like to shot a gun. Just kidding. My first rifle was a .300 savage. I killed my first two buck with it, one shot on both of them. My son is now using it but ammo is getting real expensive. I looked into getting him a Savage 7mm-08. Gander Mountain has them priced at around $400. that comes with a 3-9 scope and I think even a hard case.