nah i dont know what it is with you guys worried about the kick of an 30-06 thats crazy they dont kick THAT BAD!!!! i think the kid could take it, the 243 might be a good round for him it gets the job done and it will teach him that he has to be percise with his shots otherwise he might injure a deer just a thought, have you asked your son what he feels like hunting with it is going to be him shooting the animals with it right. just another thought