Both of them are going to be good shooters. The White Mountain Carbine will shoot conicals the best of the two. Also you can get a Green Mountain Drop in barrel for it. Being a short rifle, it might be easier for a 14 year old to handle. The New Englander will be a good conical and roundball shooter. They are not a heavy rifle, unless they have a wood stock. They are a nice simple meat and potatoes rifle. And it is a rifle that will last him the rest of his life. Both would be good rifles.