RE: .22 for a starter
.22 for a first gun is outstanding. It was my first past an airgun. Many will say buy a RUger 10-22. While there is NOTHING wrong with one, they are excellent rifles, i suggest a bolt action, either single shot, or 5 rnd magazine. That will help to force him to work on marksmanship when shooting small game as oppossed to blazing away with a 10 rnd semi-auto 10-22. Just my $.02