Keep in mind the purpose of the rifle..it's for your son. Whatever you buy, needs to fit. I started my daughter 2 years ago on a Rossi (Tri-fecta) single shot rifle...it came with .22LR, 243 WIN and 20 ga barrels. She started on the .22 LR barrel and then eventually moved up to the 243. It was a great choice as she was able to shot the same rifle and grow with it. My brother did the same with his daughter as well. Both girls now shoot Weather Vanguard's in .243 in the youth version. If I had it to do over I wouldn't change a thing. The Rossi was inexpensive and yet accurate enough to build confidence and allowed her to start with a 22LR and easily grow into the .243. At 7 years on this fall she took her first buck with that Weatherby Vanguard at about 40 yards and will ever be my hunting partner and the investment was well worth it!