Since I'm new here forgive me if this has been asked before. My son will be 12 and able to shoot his own deer next year where we live.
I have a 30-06 and a 12 gauge slug gun, which both hurt my shoulder after a couple of rounds, so I know either one will be to much for him.

Yes he will go through a hunters safety course first, and I will be with him in the stand.
I just would like to know a good caliber, please don't go off into autoloader vs bolt action, the greatest manufacturer ever, or any other tangent.
THANK YOU