From my experience, kids don't needmuch more than a basic rifle to get started. You want them focused on marksmanship, safety, and reading the woods and the game.

"Expense" is something we all deal with, and something that certainly oughtto be considered when you're looking at modifying anexpensive adult rifle to suit a growing youth's needs.Avoid the temptation to spend a little moreon the rifle if you skimp a bit on the scope. Nothing spoils a hunt faster than bad weather and badglass. The money you save on the rifle can be spent on ammo, trips to the range, or hunting licenses.

At his age, you're probably not going to be buying him the one rifle he'll always use. He'll no doubt be interested in the latest flashy bauble or caliber like therest of us are once he's old enough to buy his own firearms. What you're looking for is the rifle he'll always treasure as the one that got him started.

Get him started with a rifle he can shoot - first and foremost. Let HIM decide what he needs next.