My daughter 10 , and my son 8 just got a rossi .243 /20 ga. combo , each. They are great guns. One of my friends just bought his son a NEF Handi Rifle in 7mm-08 and he and his son love it. I bought my oldest son, 12,a NEF Handi Rifle in .243 about 6 years ago. These single shots are very reliable and accurate. The are good on recoil, and as a first gun , if you are not wanting to sink a bunch of money in it, they are the only way to go.

If you don't care about the money aspect, I would recommend either the Remington Model 7 or Model 7 youth, or the Ruger M77 Compact. All are bolt action rifles. I have shot a Model 7 in 7mm-08, for about 15 years. It is a super gun. I also just bought myself a Ruger M77 Compact in Stainless / Laminate in .243, and just took my first deer with it this evening. It too is a wonderful gun.

It all just depends on how much money you want to spend.The Ruger and Remington guns are guns that he will still want to hunt with 20 years down the road. I DO. They are light , easy to carry, and great for ladder or climbing stands, and are a breeze to shoot out of a tower stand.

But either way, the bolt actions or the single shots, you cant go wrong.

Good luck and God Bless