RE: .243 for Son
I just bought my wife a Model 7 Remington Youth in .243 cal. I found it on the Guns America website and got it for $400. used. When I got it I was delighted to find that it was not only like new, but I don't believe it had ever been shot. A really sweet, lightweight gun. She's 2 for 2 on does already. It has a synthetic stock which is shortened 1 inch from the regular model and has a recoil pad.
I would definitely recommend that rifle.