bigbulls,
All true, as written.
Congrat' s on having the young' n on the verge of joining you for the elk hunt. I' m sure he' s been listening to the stories over time and counting the years/months and is chomping at the bit to get at it.
Has he been out in the field with you on an elk hunt before (without a gun) or is this going to be the first time for both going and packing a rifle? If so, then the weight of the rifle may be more an enemy than the caliber (as even a 270 for his size might be a lot to ask).
Trade offs at that age, weight, toughness and endurance may require suspending some " rules" (as we may or may not be outside the envelope - different kids are different) BUT I assume you will be right there acting as his " guide" and " backing him up with both firepower and experience. Something that don' t occur for most folks out in the elk woods.
I' m sure you' ll watch out for him on all counts.
Never Go Undergunned,
EKM