Don,t let hunting on the ground bother you,its just where you,ll be hunting from. Type 223 bullet(if caliber legal where you hunt) required for deer unknown to me but if not available to you go with (practice first)muzzle loader.
Great your taking him,it means an awful lot to get back out there even if your different. Believe me i know. Hope its still a good time for him. Hope he is all dialed in on 30|30.